As someone who has lost a third of my body mass, I disagree with your premise: "Every single diet book makes the SINGULAR mistake of thinking that its reader is free to choose a strategy of consumption and of exercise." I am in complete control of my consumption and exercise. I found a strategy that works for me, and many others have found theirs. It wouldn't surprise me if there are 10 different diet books that work for 10 different people. On top of that there's probably 100 books that don't work for anyone.
Can you summarize your idea in a way that doesn't sound like a late night infomercial? The analogy of spending money and weight loss is flawed. The key to spending the money is not deciding that you want to do it. It's the action of writing the letter, signing the paper or calling your agent. Even when spending a great deal of money, this is an action that requires little willpower over time. You order someone to take care of it and it's no longer on your mind. In contrast, weight loss requires a constant input of will power over a long period of time. That's where people fail.
Can you summarize your idea in a way that doesn't sound like a late night infomercial? The analogy of spending money and weight loss is flawed. The key to spending the money is not deciding that you want to do it. It's the action of writing the letter, signing the paper or calling your agent. Even when spending a great deal of money, this is an action that requires little willpower over time. You order someone to take care of it and it's no longer on your mind. In contrast, weight loss requires a constant input of will power over a long period of time. That's where people fail.