A diet or a weight loss plan?

I'm of the opinion that the word "diet" is greatly misused. We are all on diets. It's just that some of us have adjusted our diets so we can lose weight or improve our health. But even those who haven't changed a thing about what they eat have a "diet". Wouldn't it be better to say "weight loss plan" when we are talking about reducing the amount of caloric intake in order to drop dangerous and unneeded fat from our bodies?

As for me, I haven't "dieted" in years. For one thing, there are very few weight loss plans out there that really commit you to a lifestyle change so you can get to and maintain a healthy weight for the rest of your life. Yet, I am losing weight. How? Two key elements:

1)eat less
2)move more

There. That's it in a nutshell. I'm not Jane Fonda or Jessica Simpson. I'm just plain ol' me and am doing what every weight loss plan out there basically does.

I still eat real butter and real whipped cream. I still down the occasional slab of gooey chocolate cake with fudge icing. I even delve into the world of Rocky Road ice cream from time to time. What I don't do is center my life around food. I don't hog it down as if it's my last meal ever. I eat only till I'm satisfied - not bloated full. I don't think about the next mealtime until I get really hungry again, which means some days I only eat once. Honestly, many old timers did the same thing and had few problems with cholesterol or other fat-related illnesses.

I also walk a lot of steps at work. Yes, I'm a manager there and I could tell a crew person to go fetch this or that from the stock room. But if I do it, I walk extra steps and those steps really do count toward exercise.

Now, I know that people with health issues must follow their own doctor's advice. That's understandable. Yet, in my case, regardless of the real dairy butter and other things I use, my cholesterol levels are very good! I don't eat a stick of butter - only about a teaspoon or so on toast, bread, or a biscuit.

For instance, last night at work I had McDonalds side salad with a piece of grilled chicken and I got a fruit and yogurt parfait for my dessert. I was well satisfied by the time I finished my meal. I used only about a tablespoon of ranch dressing on the salad. I am a firm believer that dressing should only enhance the salad, not drown and overpower it. I like the taste of the lettuces, tomatoes, and carrot curls too much to mask them with huge globs of dressing.

So, tell me, what do you do to lose/maintain your weight, improve your health, and better your life overall?