Robert > So it seems to me that getting the diet right is only one piece of the larger puzzle.
Back to the disagree with you mode ;-)
For the overwhelming majority of people, diet is a huge piece of the puzzle. Exercise, yes, is also important. But all you need is about an hour a week of that. Anything more you're doing for reasons other than fitness. Not smoking is key -- as is stress relief -- is avoidance of too much caffiene. But diet is THE most important item IMHO.
Jim