Can the President helpy you lose weight?

I read several headlines over the past couple of days trumpeting how the presidential candidates are declaring they'll fight the obesity epidemic. Sounds good, but will it help?

How many people really think that what the President, or presidential candidates, say about obesity makes a difference?

So what if insurance reimburses for weight loss programs. I doubt it will make a difference. Saying we can't afford a weight loss program is just another in a long line of excuses we create as a self-defense mechanism. We can't exercise because we can't afford a gym membership. We can't eat healthy because our kids demand cookies and chips. You know the mantra.

Here's my take: losing weight comes down to each one of us. If we decide we're going to lose weight, then it happens. Once we decide that we really can make different food choices, or that food doesn't have to be the answer to solve our problems, or that regular activity is positive rather than negative, we're on the road to weight loss. Having support and encouragement along the way is certainly helpful, but not required.

I'm going to ignore whatever government officials have to say about obesity. If they want to talk about developing walking paths, or adding safe bike trails, or helping organize intramural sports for fun after school, I'm all over that. But when they start saying that they can stem the tide against gaining weight, I won't listen. I know it comes down to each of us taking a stand in our own lives.