Weight is constantly being dictated by the lifestyle choices we make. There are precisely two components that determine body weight: calories IN, and calories OUT. That’s pretty much it. Of course, some health issues can contribute to body weight, and it is always an excellent idea to check with your doctor before you embark on any kind of weight loss (read lifestyle change) program.

Losing weight isn’t all that hard. You can just eat less and exercise more, and the pounds will come off. The food that’s consumed during a weight loss program is called a “diet.” But the fact is we all eat a “diet” every day. The foods chosen and the quantities consumed of those foods are what make up anyone’s diet.

If you are really, really serious about taking off those extra pounds and keeping them off forever, you have to make some lifestyle changes, and those changes have to be permanent. Weight control is not a temporary task or an event — it is a journey.

A diet is all about choices. When you go out for lunch with friends, you can CHOOSE the burger (double meat and double cheese) and fries, or you can CHOOSE the grilled chicken sandwich with no fries. It’s YOUR choice. You’re the one ordering the food.

The same thing is true of snack food. You can CHOOSE the large bag of chips, a candy bar, and a regular soda or you can CHOOSE the small bag of pretzels and the diet soda. You’re the one buying the snack.

Exercise is also a choice. You can choose not to exercise. I had a friend who told me her idea of exercise was jogging to the fridge. You have the power to decide to take that walk after dinner or watch TV.

Weight control is all about the choices we make each and every day. Diets alone don’t work. They never have.