I think obesity is hard to fix even when you are not a “thermodynamics denier” (as another commenter said) because all you can practice is moderation from the get go. How many people would fail to fix their alcoholism if complete abstinence, even just a period of complete abstinence to rewire the brain, was never an option? They actually had to go down to the pub and practice stopping everyday at 1 pint?
...I suppose it's hard for someone who struggles with eating to stop food all together. That said, after I got off booze, I started on sugar, never been into sugar in my life, didn't like cake, ice cream any of that stuff, but getting off booze that started, I craved ice cream and stuff all the time, and gave in not realizing what was happening, once I told my dr and he explained the body was substituting the alcohol... so I stopped sweet stuff (mostly all of it, honey and fruit juice seem fine, I don't crave them). I don't have very many cravings any more, I know that "you're going to crave this if you have it more than a few times" feeling as soon as I consume something now, and, I just, don't. Is it hard? Every time, but I prefer the control more tbh.
Maybe I live a kinda boring life now, oh well, at least I feel great.