Overweight or Obese - A Character Issue?

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I disagree that being overweight is a reflection of poor character. I assume you have never struggled with being overweight. If I am wrong, please correct me. If I am right, then forgive me when I say "You couldn't possibly understand".

I was an athlete most of my life until early twenties that competed in Judo at 81 kilos (178.2) pounds. So, the struggle was to make sure I was at that weight exactly at the time of weigh in. Probably not the same struggle, but try sweating off 3-5 pounds in a 24 hour period.

... For me, food has always meant way more than just "nourishment". For a lot of people with food issues, food is love, food is comfort, food is contentment. To say that it is easy to overcome those issues with "self-discipline" is over-simplistic, at best. What you are expecting people with this kind of emotional connection to food to do is deny themselves the love, comfort and contentment that they have sought in their lives. No amount of "self-discipline" is going to make up for that loss. As they say, "It's not what you're eating, it's what's eating you".

Seeing that we are sharing (and I appreciate it). I'll be frank as well. I love food. I love creating it, I love sharing it with someone, and I love eating it. When I fix that perfect meal, and smell it my heart literally skips, and I feel giddy. I stop eating it when I feel it should be enough, even though I could get seconds, thirds and more. The next morning after that perfect meal I am at the scale worrying that I over did it. It is also a struggle not to cook all the great meals I can, and instead restrict myself to healthy meals that still taste good, but not even close in contentment.

If I let my self-discipline waver, and let go, I would not be overweight, I would be obese, as just working out would not help. It is a daily re-commitment.

...But, I do know what my reasons are. It's not because of a "lack of self-discipline". That implies "I could be thin if I wanted to, I just choose not to". In my adult life, I have been fat and I have been thin(ner). And, in the times when I was thin(ner), it's not because suddenly I had "self-discipline". It's because I had gotten a handle on my issues, and was able to lose the weight. Just "wanting" it is not enough. You have to be willing to "face your demons", too. That's the hard part. "Self-discipline" is the easy part.

I think my definition of "self-discipline" and yours are different. My definition would include getting a handle on your issues, and facing your demons.

...But, please consider this anyway. What else (besides weight) that demonstrates a "lack of self-discipline" is a dealbreaker for you? Does anything else besides weight demonstrate a "lack of self-discipline" for you?

Yes, there are others. Smoking, gambling, excessive use of alcohol, drug use, credit card abuse, etc., are all indicators of lack of self-discipline, and are deal breakers for me. And I would not be adverse to someone holding me to the same level of scrutiny, it is only fair.

I realise in this PC world a lot of what I described are considered illnesses that eliminate personal responsibility. That's fine for them.

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To me, true self discipline manifests itself in all or most aspects of your life, not just one or two. Sure, someone could have self discipline when it comes to eating and working out - but if you lack it in all other areas or most areas such as your career, finances, family life, and promises - then I would not say you have self discipline.

Please, also understand that I did put a qualifier in my comment tying self-discipline and being overweight/obesity together. I did that because one can not paint the world with a broad brush. I realize that there can be medical reasons.

Also, this particular manifestation of lack of self-discipline (using my definition) might not be important at all to others. I made that statement in the OP.

I think you're more likely to have it when it comes to eating and working out because you can control that completely. I don't really see how it matters to anyone else. It's all about you. It's not so easy to control your career and family.

In fact, now that I think about it, I have no idea what self-discipline has to do with family at all. I'm a little confused. Please explain.

I see self-discipline as doing what you know needs to be done even when you don't really want to do it.

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How does this relate to the topic? The OP has an issue with a fat person's "character", except in the cases where there is a medical reason... Then it's "not their fault" and does not reflect on their character... even though he could not know in just making a summary judgment against any random fat person what their particular circumstances are.

I do not think it is possible to use a person's physical appearance to judge their character.

I'd submit that in great majority of cases of being overweight/obese is NOT due to a medical reason. It is a personal choice, whether that shows a negative character trait or not is up to the person that is interacting with them.

And people do get judged by their physical appearances quite a bit.

Geesh, do you guys know what a real "walk" is? It's not a stroll though the park. It's a 15 minute mile at most. Jogging is just a half step above. And, I don't jog. I have two very good reasons not to and you have one guess on what those are!

Just to clear up any confusion, I lost more than 30 pounds in less than 3 months about 10 years ago by mainly using an elliptical runner and treadmill. Never breaking into a jog/run. Or taking a tedious aerobics class. Those are just murder!