Well, the research is suggesting that it is one's genetics that plays a significant role to the response to obesity and all the compendium diseases...
There are some people that have high metabolic rates and can eat all the junk they want and NEVER EVER get heart disease or type 2 diabetes... But they probably would get cancer, but not diabetes...
Whereas, there are those who can exercise regularly--in fact in great atheletic shape--Hell, they are atheletes and these same persons keel over with a heart attack...
Aside from the congenital hypertrophy these folks might have, there is also, hyperlipidemia and type 2 diabetes with hypertriglyceridemia...
bluGBI--
What you may want to do is have a full hormonal blood work up... I will cost at least $2K without insurance. I know of a Dr. who does this sort of thing in Texas and will refer you to someone in your area... One of your hormones may be off that is causing you that massive imbalance. It may have something to do with your thyroid... The thyroid is a master gland regulating many things--one of them being appetite suppression... Your body is thinking it does not have enough nutrients so it is mis-signalling to your brain telling it--hey, eat more--anywhere--particularly carbs!!! Rather than eating like carrot sticks--you desire the rapid fire sugary drugs--Coke's, candy bars, etc. I know, been there, done that...
On top of that, you have had NO emotional support, so your self esteem is evaporated. You need to be around folks who will help you throughout your desired transition. So seek the kind of objective help that you deserve.
The weight management folks suggest keeping a food journal... That is one way to do it... But you must determine why you desire such foods, what time you desire them and how much do you eat??
Hey, refined sugar is close to that being a narcotic. Everyone is addicted to it. Try not eating sugary foods and one will go through withdrawal symptoms similar to that of a heroin addict...
On top of that most of our foods are highly processed to protect us from massive food spoilage, rot, infestation and infection... That was good when food was scarce, but now, food is not so scarce and those processing practices have not changed in the last 20 years or so...
I.E. High fructose corn syrup...
And if one is a vegan in Texas, they'd die...
Eating properly is a good mantra, but what does that really mean? Dieticians are finding they have to redefined that concept of the food pyramid...
Exercise is excellent always, but what difference would it make if one keels over and dies from cardiovascular disease?
IMO, eating a diet mostly of green veggies, lean cuts of proteins, high fiber grains and some good lipids (omega 3 FA's and flax seed oils) is a safe bet... The more veggies, the better. Research has shown that 5 mini meals a day are good... Moreover, eliminating processed foods from a diet helps... But this may be difficult in some areas...
IMO, exercise for the appropriate body type, not the "no pain no gain" mentality... For some people, it is cardio high impact aerobics. For others it is walking. But as long as you LIKE IT and desire to do it, I would think that would be what is best for you. Consistency is important. You cannot workout for 3 months, lose the weight you need, then stop cold turkey. It is a lifestyle choice. This is what you do when for the "me-time" self care--this is how YOU choose to take care of yourself for the rest of your LIFE!!!
Hey for some folks it is Yoga with some Pilates--others its bench pressing 300 lbs 100 times... Either way, find what makes you happy... Not everyone is triathelon material--I know I am not... However, I love to dance, so aerobics is more for me--specifically adult ballet class makes me estatic...
Remember, nothing is going to come naturally to you without you getting up and doing something about it. One has to find that motivation from every inkling in his or her body...