24 Ways To Hack Your Fat-loss Genes

If you’re looking to lose weight, there are options. BY LOUEE DESSENT-JACKSON AND SCARLETT WRENCH

- Louee Dessent-Jackson & Scarlett Wrench

You could slave away at the treadmill, put down roots in the weights room or just deny yourself pleasure at the dinner table. Alternatively, you could cheat the whole system. That’s because with a little scientific tinkering, you can rewire your brain, hijack your biology and make fat loss automatic every hour of the day. This is our guide to out-smarting Mother Nature. Let’s make your genes a better fit.

01 Amp Up Your Fibre Power

Leaner men have healthier gut bacteria than their overweight peers. But while this is partly inherited, a smart addition to your daily diet can flip the switch. An NHS study found the fibre inulin is better for your gut than probiotic drinks. To get your fill, roast in-season Jerusalem artichoke with garlic and add it to your soups and salads.

02 See Insta Results

Food cravings begin in the brain, not the belly, with the part of your grey matter responsible for visual imagery particularly active. Next time you find yourself salivating, rewire your mental circuits by bringing a vivid, compelling or emotive picture to mind, advises Frontiers in Psychiatry. Lacking imagination? A scroll through @natgeoadventure after lunch should transport you to a better mental space.

03 Empty The Tank

Evolution has hardwired our bodies to store fat for potential famine, rather than torching it for fuel. But imposing a tactical food delay could hack your weight-loss hard drive. A University of Bath study found training on an empty stomach triggers the ‘PDK4 gene’: a sign that your body fat is burning off. An hour’s effort is enough, so schedule in your Sunday run before you settle at the brunch table. Avo on toast, we presume?

04 Diarise Your Cheat Days