Losing weight and Toning, finally the proper way.?

judging from what my mom and dad eat (both who are military health freaks), the best diet consists of fruits and veggies as snacks, eating 8 small meals a day (so no American-ized portions of food), switching from bleached white bread to wheat, baking meats instead of frying (which isn't really half bad; i've been trying it), drinking more water of course and avoiding soda's as much as possible (preferably altogether) and exercising. but, eating right alone, without exercising will help you lose the beginner fat. exercising of course helps you get more toned and strengthens your muscles, but cardio of course helps you shed fat. so, if you're too busy to exercise all the time, then just change your eating habits and exercise when you can. :D i've been doing most of those and i happened to shed a few unwanted pounds, enough to make me happy with myself again, and now i'm gonna start trying tae bo and p90x just to get some tone back. so...good luck!