Loop Gain

A lot of people are 5 to 10 pounds above their goal weight.

A feedback system measures the difference between the output of the system and the goal and amplifies the difference (well, in the most simple of feedback systems). After the system stabilizes the output is approximately equal to the input, but there is an error equal to the output divided by the gain of the system.

It is reasonable to figure that the further people get from their goal the harder they try. So they are always doomed to be a bit above their goal. Perhaps lots of people have a loop gain that pushes them just enough to maintain their weight when they are 5 to 10 pounds over.

I guess all this leads to the Dr. Cox view of weight loss - once you are happy with your body you lose.

I've heard that expression about a person with a hammer seeing everything as a nail, but it doesn't apply to me because I have feedback analysis, not a hammer.