Since posting this, I've had a few more chances to experiment with some of this stuff. I'm working my way through assignments in the Writers Block, and, generally speaking, have continued to avoid physical descriptions. Still, there have been times where I have found it useful to include some small amount of physical descriptions in my writing. (The earlier mentioned "describe only what is truly unique about the character within the time frame of the story" idea has been something I've managed to use once or twice since.)

Again, thanks to everybody for contributing. Getting feedback from this thread has greatly helped me understand both the potential expectation of readers as well as how other writers handle this situation. Like I said at the top of the thread, I know it is a particular weakness of mine anyway. I guess I'll continue to write to my strengths and include only as much physical description as is absolutely necessary, and let my readers enjoy the story for the story and the characters for the characters even if some of them may be lacking in physical description in my writing.