Why do Americans praise fat people that lose weight?

[d21lewis]

chocoloco said:

People will praise anyone that gets rid of a chronic vice whether it be tobacco, sex, over eating, gambling, or anything that harms them. It is considered bettering yourself. They will not praise them if it involves harming others. That is the real difference.

This must be a thread coming out of the fat that Georgia and the South are really fat.

I'd say half the people down here are really fat (Born in Chicago, myself) with no intentions of ever improving themselves but no.  I saw a story on CNN yesterday about a guy that lost a lot of weight.  Now, he can play basketball with his family, etc.  Good for him but not something I'd consider newsworthy.  It was a fluff piece, I guess.Anyway, that's the origin of the thread.