I'm not disagreeing with you.  I stopped eating for a long time to lose
weight, and I walk and ride my bike all over the place.

(Even at 180 pounds, I was never a "fat loser," but at 120 pounds, I
feel healthier and more energetic, and aches and pains I thought were
consequences of aging went away completely.)

But I do think it's natural, having enjoyed a meal thoroughly, to feel a
sense of completion when it's over and not to have to worry about one's
weight.

When I was in France, I saw people (almost everybody) eating all they
wanted without getting fat, spending a lot of time in the kitchen, the
daily and weekly markets, socializing, raving about delicacies and
fashions, going to the bakery once or twice a day to pick up fresh
baguettes and loaves of all sizes, etc.  They really love not only food,
but the good life in general -- including looking good!

And they love their wine, pastries, cheeses, and chocolates, too -- but
they don't suffer the cardio-vascular consequences we're saddled with
here.  That's "the paradox."