Why do people let themselves get so fat?

So I read a comment recently that went something like this : I don't understand why people let themselves get so fat. My answer is "Oh so many ways". I can only speak for myself, but here's a few of my own answers that explain why I got to where I got and that can certainly apply to many others :

• Attempting to lose weight the wrong way (while thinking you're doing the right thing) and ending up gaining twice as much as you lost.
• Having low self-esteem.
• Neglecting to weigh yourself regularly and not realizing (or admitting) how big you are getting.
• Unconsciously avoiding your fears. Being fat gives you an excuse for not doing what you're afraid of doing.
• Having thyroid problems.
• Having erroneous beliefs about exercise and food.
• Not having role models who exercise because they like it rather than because they have too.
• Stopping sports and not realizing that you need some exercise to replace it.
• Thinking that exercise is an option.
• Not realizing that the more you exercise, the more you can do.
• Thinking that what you eat is not so bad and not realizing that some foods are stopping you from losing weight.
• Craving more and more fat and sugar...The more you eat junk, the more your body wants it.
• Going through life events which end up making you eat your emotions because you haven't figured out better ways to deal with your problems.

Finally, just because you accept that you have a problem doesn't mean that the problem can be solved easily. Gaining weight is a result of many different factors... and losing weight, when you're obese, can only take a lot of work on multiple aspects of your life. It takes time to change a lifestyle. You have to take one step at a time and celebrate little successes.