Calories & Fat

Question
I have a very large list of basic questions I'd like to rattle off to you, but do not want to run the risk of you not answering any of them so below I only listed a few.

What exactly are calories in unscientific terms?

How do calories differ from fat?

What are "calories from fat?"

Do people actually gain fat from doing cardio?

Is there a good simple diet for someone that wants to lose 20 pounds or so without starving? I'm 213lbs and 5' 11" and I guess I am now over-weight. I go to the gym 4 days a week and try to burn 500 calories each time on cardio plus machine exercises.

Is it reasonable to lose no less than 3 lbs a week?

Answer
Hi James
Yes indeed, those are a lot of q's you have asked me, and it would take more time than here in this simple response to answer all your q's thoroughly.  I want you to have a good understanding of all of this, and it sounds like you need to get down the "basics" of diet, exercise at the beginner level.  I'm going to recommend a FANTATIC website that has all the q's you have asked me, and a lot more.  In fact, after browsing through, you can come up with your own diet/exercise plan, and satisfy your curiosity with your health-related q's.
Have fun with the website, and congrats on making a healthy decision!  

http://www.lifeclinic.com/focus/nutrition/

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