Do you want to lose weight? According to recent statistics, more than two-thirds of our adult population is obese in this country. Fewer than one-third of Americans are considered at a normal or healthy weight. So, the resounding answer to that question for most people is, “YES!”

Looking for ways to lose weight

People look to a variety of ways to lose weight, sometimes quick fixes with unbelievable results. There are pills, powders, books, shots, and much, much, more out there. These things just plain don’t work. Many people also look to exercise to lose weight.

I’d like to let you in on the secret to weight loss…it’s eating less. Using portion and calorie control to restrict your caloric intake. Sounds too simple to be true, I know. Really, I do. As a registered nurse and founder of Seattle Sutton’s Healthy Eating, I realize this straightforward approach has no pizzazz and won’t garner any headlines. Those methods are things you hear about because they make good T.V.

The gym isn't the way to lose weight

The U.S. weight loss industry is a $60 billion industry, and most of it is built on such fads and scams looking to take advantage of the public desperate to regain their health.

What I’m really saying is, please don’t look for weight loss in the gym or on a home exercise machine. Rather look to lose weight in your kitchen and at your kitchen table. The fuel or limit of it is how you lose weight, not through exercise.

Not convinced?

The $75 billion global fitness and health club industry wants to make you think differently. Weight loss programs you see on television of people losing significant amounts of weight through modified calorie-controlled diets and copious amounts of exercise will have you think differently too. They tend to focus more on the exercise component than the actual diet – what the contestants eat and drink. How interesting would it be of an hour of watching someone eat? Not very…

Well, it seems millions of people are still under the impression that weight loss is achieved through exercise, but that simply couldn’t be the furthest from the truth. The truth be told, weight loss is achieved through one’s diet and is a matter of calories in versus calories out. How many times over the years have you heard me say that? It is true! And, it’s the basis of our freshly prepared, calorie-controlled meals.

The fitness industry was built on the misconception of exercise equals weight loss. Don’t get me wrong; exercise has many, many health benefits including preventing diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, certain cancers and premature death. But weight loss is not one of the benefits, as many scientific studies have proven time and again.

Just remember this the next time you lace up your sneakers and go for a run, or head to the gym. Do it for the many health benefits not for weight loss. Exercise can also be achieved at no cost through walks, hikes, staying active and being physically active by doing one’s own household chores and cleaning.

Portion and calorie control is the key to weight loss. Not taking a jog or an exercise class or swimming laps in the pool. Those are all helpful in keeping one healthy, but not key to weight loss.