Weight loss being math and being difficult emotionally are not mutually exclusive. It is difficult, yes, but it still comes down to the math of calories in < calories out.

I think it's important that we not think it's complicated from a math point of view lest people start thinking that only the quality of their foods matters, not their amounts; some people actually think that eating fat itself (lard, butter, etc) is the primary cause of what makes you fat, which is false.