When I set out to lose weight, I attempted to find a weight-loss related mailing list, newsgroup, or BBS. There are plenty now, but all I was able to find then was an Overeaters Anonymous BBS. OA is a 12 step program modelled after Alcoholics Anonymous.
I got into lots of arguments with the OA people. Finally, I made a large five-year bet with the sysop of the BBS.
Five years later, the BBS was gone and the sysop had moved, but I located him, and he paid off. He also gave me a free copy of his book promoting OA, which was published by Hazelden, which is apparently a publisher which exclusively specializes in 12 step program books. I'm sure he made far more money from his book than he lost to me. He never did admit that he was wrong when he and the others on the BBS told me that I would inevitably fail to lose the 160 pounds or that I would promptly regain it, and that I was in denial of a compulsive overeating problem.