29. Calories in must equal calories out.

One of the lessons that men (and women) have the most difficulty learning is that the calories you consume by eating must not be greater than the calories you burn during any given day. If you eat more calories than you burn you will be FAT. If you eat more calories than you burn you will be FAT. Repeat this mantra before every meal and perhaps this simple lesson will be finally mastered. 

The Diet Industry, which has developed to help slow dietary learners to lose some weight, is a multibillion-dollar business. Every year we are introduced to a new dietary concept that the chubbies latch on to like a mongoose to a cobra (or visa versa). 

Some of the more successful diets are the Mediterranean Diet, Weight Watchers, and any of the packaged food diets. Any success is based upon a well-balanced selection from the five or seven basic food groups with an emphasis on fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and nuts. Small portion sizes and a supportive mentor system all have some benefits. There are no secrets and there are no magic pills or remedies that will replace sensible food selection, preparation and self-discipline. Regular daily exercise will also be very helpful.

Fanatics over the years have invented dozens of bizarre diets. For example, the tapeworm diet works by swallowing a pill that has a tapeworm egg inside. When the egg eventually hatches, the tapeworm will grow inside your body and eat whatever you're eating. The idea is that you can eat whatever you want and still lose weight because the tapeworm is eating all your "extra" calories. The basic idea behind the sleeping beauty diet is that if you sleep more, you will not be awake to eat anything. If you are not eating anything, you are restricting your calories to a great extent and therefore, end up losing weight.

If you need any more instruction, just remember: If you eat more calories than you burn you will be FAT. If you eat more calories than you burn you will be FAT. Repeat and repeat!