[nabla9]

Diet discussion circles around an issue that can't be said aloud: People have varying different amounts of self-control and self-control varies situationally. Fat itself is hormonally active tissue that can affect self-control.

Most people are able to lose their weight fast once they get motivated and are in a place where they can form a good habit. Habit forming requires so staying power and ability to live in some amount of discomfort. When people difficulties in life, or become depressed, food is good excellent way improve mood temporarily. Food works as instant antidepressant for mild depression. It's long term effects for mental health are usually negative.

Many people (me included) feel few days of extreme hopelessness and loss of meaning in life if they fast. If person cant accept periods of mental discomfort, but treats them as emergencies that need to be solved and not endured, there is no way he/she can get anything done that requires more than average effort.

If we would treat self-control as major issue in health and life even for normal mentally healthy people, we could tackle the issue directly without negative connotations and shame.

[dahart]

I agree so much, nicely said. I even think it's more difficult than just self control, which I alluded to a little bit. Our bodies subconsciously treat the threat of not having enough food as a life or death situation. Once I became aware of it I noticed myself doing it all the time. I can't go on a short hike without packing more food than I need. No trips with family & friends ever run short on food, we always pack too much. I'm sure this used to be a real problem in past history, I'm certain we have evolved this way for a reason, but now we always have enough food. I like to think about it this way, anyway, in part because it explains why self control is so extremely difficult without the judgement. Lack of self control over food really isn't an individual weakness, it is an evolutionary advantage that we all share.