1) I am significantly overweight and have been my entire life with the exception of my last two years of college and the first year or two after that. I hit 200 lbs in 7th grade.
2) I am not a fat liberation activist.
3) I have tried with varying success: The Atkins Diet, the Grapefruit Diet, the Mayo Clinic Diet, Slim Fast, Metabolife, Meridia, Sugar Busters and more.
4) I have considered, but not as of yet, seriously pursued, gastric bypass surgery. I should note that my father died from complications from one of the earliest gastric bypass procedures - they are much safer now.
5) Up until two weeks ago, I was online to participate in a clinical research study which included counseling with a therapist. It fell through because of my allergy meds (without which I would be climbing the walls).
So, I too, know whereof I speak...so let me just say this: It's just not that simple.
Mechanically (technically?) it is a matter of consume less, burn more fuel. But that is simply easier for some than others.
For most obese people it's also an emotional issue. To put it simply, they (we) will go on a diet, lose a few pounds, then something happens (the weight loss slows, someone criticizes, etc.) and it's back to the fridge.
In other words, much as smoking and alcohol can be addictive, so can food.
And, as far as excercise, if you're 200-300 lbs. overweight, sometimes just walking to the bathroom is about all you can handle. For myself, because I'm older, and I have arthritis, I have trouble especially in the morning with the stairs in my house. (but for the record, let me say that's morning stiffness and I do low-impact aerobics later in the day).
I don't think obesity should be "protected" against discrimination. But I do know from personal experience that I've lost out on professional opportunities because of my size.
I'm still working on it. I'm still determined that one of these summers I won't be ashamed to take off my shirt at the pool.
But what I don't need is any of you skinny, or even moderately overweight, people telling me just to eat less. I happen to know that. I happen to know that if I exercise every day, I'll feel better and drop some pounds. I happen to know that if I cut out the refined sugars that I'll feel better.
So while I agree that these "fat activists" would better spend their time teaching proper nutrition and exercise classes I don't need anyone who hasn't walked a mile in my lard@$$ pants (which typically cost 25% more than yours) telling me how to live or eat.