Michael Gerson, a reporter with the Washington Post, wrote about his challenges with his boring diet. Unfortunately, most people who diet approach it in the wrong manner. Michael is one of them.

Here's an interview that he did with NPR about his weight-loss program. He's on a "low-carb" diet. There-in lies one of the problems. People think in terms of low-fat or low-carb. I do not recommend that as the criteria. 

People also think, Eat Less, Exercise more is part of the plan. It's not. Eating less implies willpower and deprivation. While exercise is important, if you are eating fast-food or even at a fine restaurant, you cannot exercise off a 1,300-calorie meal. It would take about 2-hours. Good luck with that.

I can tell you this, if you are dieting and you still crave (and eat) French fries, mac and cheese, candy, junk food, soda, and other non-health promoting foods, you will fail. Frequently, I see people who have lost weight eating these types of foods.

If you are approaching a lifestyle change properly, you will identify food that tastes great and has health benefits. It's not that difficult.

However, most people are addicted to the American food system. You must be willing to leave the Western diet. It can be done. Millions have done it. However, many millions more have not.

Recently, a friend of mine gave me that line of bull. However, it is unknown what percentage of our life's outcome can be applied to genes versus our lifestyle.

I agree with Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn's quote: "Gene's load the gun, but lifestyle pulls the trigger."

 While exercise does burn calories, what and how much you eat still matters. For example, a one-mile walk burns about 100 calories — so you'd have to walk for 12 miles to burn off the typical 1,200-calorie fast-food meal of a hamburger, fries, and a soft drink!

Source: Duke