A toned woman in a bikini pinching flab on her tummy

Could This Weight Loss “Switch” Be the Fastest Way to Burn Fat?

Everyone wants to know the fastest way to burn fat. Are you somebody who feels you can’t lose weight no matter how hard you try? Though there are certainly contributing factors as to why some people are overweight or obese, some of it may have to do with the way things work within your body. Basically, weight problems could actually be in your genes!

Scientists have recently discovered a switch in our brains that helps us regulate our hunger.[1] When we eat less, this switch notices the lack of food and extra hunger. What this means is that once we start eating again, the switch tells our brain that we must be starving. Therefore, it instructs our brain to grab onto all the fat cells it can and hang on for dear life because we must be experiencing a famine.

The switch is trying to “save” us as if we were starving. As you know, although it can feel like we’re starving when we start a new diet, that’s not actually the case.

Fortunately, understanding and taking advantage of this revolutionary news could be the fastest way to burn fat. In essence, it may be this switch that is either working or not working. To clarify, this may help to explain why you have a hard time losing weight or are more prone to gaining weight.

With this in mind, it is important to realize that losing weight is never easy. It can be especially frustrating when your brain is fighting your efforts to slim down. We’re going to show you how to activate this newly discovered “fat-burning switch” so you can learn how to lose weight naturally and safely.

Your Brain Could be Slowing Down Your Metabolism

close up of beautiful blonde woman with blue eyes

Scientists at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia have discovered the specific protein that controls the fat-burning switch.[2] They call it the Crat protein. This is the specific protein that controls the switch. You can think of it as a tiny little hand, controlling a light switch.

This new study looks at how the body chooses to either burn or store fat.[3]  This is the very foundation of weight loss in general, and why you must understand the way the body works. For example, something that works like an “on and off switch” may actually be more in control of things.

To demonstrate, think of weight as a spectrum. On one end of the spectrum, some women are naturally thin. This means they have a fast-acting metabolism. On the other end of the spectrum are women who may struggle to lose weight. That is to say, their metabolism is naturally slower.

Though this has a lot to do with metabolism, what if there was more? In fact, women who struggle with weight loss and slow metabolism may have a switch that isn’t working properly. If this sounds like you, don’t fret. Relief is just around the corner! We’re going to discuss how to lose weight naturally and take a peek into how to burn fat fast using the switch method as our foundation.

This Switch Doesn’t Work Properly For Everyone

a woman pinching the flab on her waist

Recognizing that this switch-like mechanism exists and works just like an “on and off switch” helps to make sense of things. Consequently, what this study has shown is that the switch may not work the same for everyone. Basically, it appears this switch gets stuck for women who are overweight, or who have trouble losing excess pounds. Incidentally, rather than working and helping to regulate the way fat is stored, it just stops working altogether. It’s stuck, and therefore the ability to store fat properly is not available. If you have ever wanted to blame genetics for being overweight, here is your chance. Kind of.

Is This Switch the Fastest Way to Burn Fat?

a woman in workout clothes measuring her waist with a tape measure

Well, here’s the rub. They’re still trying to figure it out. Scientists are taking the findings of this study and trying to expand upon them. There may be potential to rewire this switch in the future. Rather than the body using the food to store it as fat, perhaps it could instead be rerouted and used as energy. Maybe it’s possible to tell your body how to use food. Your food would, in effect, only be used for energy and therefore you won’t end up with undesirable fat storage. This could be life-changing for those who are chronically overweight and seek some sort of help with their weight loss for good. It could also be the fastest way to burn fat that has yet been discovered.

The potential for this help is a long way off in truth, but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t hope. Finding that this switch exists is one thing. Figuring out how to control it is a whole different problem. These studies have shown that something is happening within the body that works differently in obese people. So, the findings are fascinating indeed.

On the positive side, new studies are taking place all the time for how to burn fat fast. In the here and now, it’s essential to lead a healthy lifestyle. If you know that you are more prone to gaining weight, then try your best to control your diet and exercise. Though this switch may be at work and there may be things happening behind the scenes, there are lots of factors that you can control right now.

Fun Fact: Dubai has created an interesting incentive program to help children lose weight. This initiative is called “Child in Gold.” For every kilogram (2.2 pounds) a child loses, the family is awarded a gram of gold. In 2013, the program paid out $762,340 in gold. WOW![4]

Here’s How to Lose Weight Naturally

a woman smiling in workout clothes with a white towel around her neck

There are no gimmicks or quick fixes for how to burn fat fast. However, there are things you can do to help activate the weight loss “switch.”

Eat foods that keep you fuller longer

These are the “big bang for your buck” foods. Stock your pantry with these items:

  • Fresh fruits
  • Whole grains
  • Beans
  • Legumes
  • Yogurt
  • Eggs
  • Chia seeds
  • Avocado
  • Olive Oil

Foods like chia seeds and legumes have actually been shown to be appetite suppressants.

Additionally, eating good fats, like olive oil and avocado, sends a signal to the brain. It tells your brain that are you full and satisfied. This is likely to keep the cravings at bay.

Stay away from processed foods

an open bag of potato chips

These are foods that make you crave more junk food. Chips, candy, pastries, soda — these are the things you want to avoid. And remember, if it isn’t in your house, you don’t have to rely on willpower. Avoiding sweet and salty snack foods can be especially hard during monthly hormonal fluctuations like PMS.

Your best bet to staying healthy is to replace processed foods with healthy foods that also satisfy your cravings. You can learn a new sugar-free chocolate cake recipe or crisp up some kale chips in the oven to get your salt fix. If you need something crunchy, grab some carrots. In fact, try lots of new replacements for junk foods and see which are the best for you.

Increase your protein

hard boiled eggs on avocado toast with pomegranate seeds

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition did a study on this so-called switch. Their results indicate that those who ate more protein had reduced cravings and hunger. Adding more fish, chicken, or eggs to your diet could turn out to be the fastest way to burn fat.[5]

 Take an early lunch

a woman having a salad

A 2016 study by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows that those with a genetic predisposition to obesity lost more weight when they took an early lunch.[6] If you are unable to take an early lunch, try adding a protein-filled snack in between breakfast and lunch. Almonds, eggs, and beans all help burn fat fast.[7]

 Drink more tea

a woman drinking a cup of tea

Once you have some switch tricks figured out, you may want to focus on weight maintenance. Studies have proven that drinking green tea daily can help in weight loss and maintenance.[8] Of course, this means no added sugar and cream. Try making it a nightly ritual to help you wind down from your day.

Practice self-care

a woman relaxing at a spa

Over-worked and stressed-out women are notably prone to emotional eating. By practicing self-care, you can curb feelings of doubt and anxiousness that can lead to overeating and weight gain. Given that we are all disposed to stress at some point throughout the day, here are some things you should try out when you’re feeling stressed:

  • Yoga
  • Pilates
  • Dance class
  • Spa day
  • Massage
  • Manicure
  • See a movie alone
  • Get a makeover
  • Read a book

Feed your hormones

two bottles of apple cider vinegar

Even when they are raging, they demand food. Frustrating, isn’t it? But here is where you can make your hormones work for you instead of against you. The fastest way to burn fat is down a path that runs directly through these chemical messengers (aka, your hormones). As a matter of fact, by balancing your hormones, you are telling your brain that everything is okay and everything is under control. This is one way to control a seemingly insatiable appetite. To demonstrate, here are some ways to manage and balance your hormones if you want to learn how to burn fat fast:

  1. Try adding apple cider vinegar to your daily routine. This lip-smacking concoction can help balance hormones by creating what your body needs via amino acids. You can take a few tablespoons directly down the hatch or add it to a daily meal.
  2. Eat some shrimp. Shrimp is high in vitamin D. When you lack vitamin D in your diet, your hormones get all out of whack. Dig into this fresh seafood for a boost in hormone health. All things considered, this is a pretty yummy change to make in any diet.
  3. Drink up! Red wine is here to save the day. It contains anti-inflammatory ingredients that can help you maintain a healthy hormone balance, the best and fastest way to burn fat. With this in mind, add a bottle of red to your next date night, or pour yourself a glass before taking a hot bath.
  4. Put flaxseed on everything. Well, maybe not everything, but you should definitely try to incorporate into your diet every day. Flaxseed has been shown to repair estrogen balance. Furthermore, it has been shown to help prevent breast cancer.[9]

Keep a diary

a woman writing in her diary with a cup of tea at the side

Not that kind of a diary! More like a spreadsheet. This allows you to track your daily, weekly, and monthly goals. Additionally, on days when you’re feeling down and unmotivated, you can look back on all the progress you’ve made. Especially when you’re feeling down, cortisol levels in your body will spike. The same way your brain tells your body to hang onto your fat reserves, the cortisol does the same. By checking in with yourself daily or weekly, you can keep weight loss stress at bay, therefore keeping cortisol spikes to a minimum. The fastest way to burn fat is to be consistent and check your progress frequently.

Increase your zinc

pumpkin seeds in a blue bowl

Building on the idea of self-care and keeping stress levels low, making sure you are getting enough zinc can alter your mood. The fastest way to burn fat is, first of all, to maintain a low-stress lifestyle. That means getting the proper nutrition your body needs to stay happy. A deficit in zinc has been shown to be a factor in poor mood and cognition. In general, more zinc in your diet means having a better attitude and outlook on life. This is especially true for pre-menopausal women.[10] Here are some foods that are high in zinc that you should try to incorporate into your diet:

  • Pumpkin seeds
  • Cocoa powder
  • Lamb
  • Mushrooms
  • Spinach
  • Cashews
  • Chicken
  • Yogurt

Get to know your hunger hormone

a fit women doing pull ups outdoors

The good news is that many studies have been able to tell us what makes us hungry. Harnessing your hunger hormone, called ghrelin, is the fastest way to burn fat. Leptin is the other hunger hormone that controls your appetite. Namely, these are the two most important hormones to manage when you want to understand how to burn fat fast. In other words, if you really want to know how to lose weight naturally, follow these tips.

  1. Diet responsibly. The fastest way to burn fat is not through severe calorie restriction or crash dieting. Much like this newly-discovered Crat protein, the ghrelin and leptin in your body will think you are starving if you aren’t eating enough or frequently enough. Consequently, the next time you eat, your body is going to hang onto all that fat for “safekeeping.”
  2. Keep a healthy sleep schedule. You should regularly get 7-9 hours of sleep per night. Studies have shown that healthy sleep habits allow your body to properly regulate and maintain healthy hunger hormone levels.
  3. Do some high-intensity interval training or HIIT. Exercising in bursts helps not only maintain hormone levels, but it helps you burn fat fast and efficiently. The fastest way to burn fat is by performing some HIIT routines such as:
  • Swimming
  • Running
  • Hiking
  • Dancing
  • Any vigorous exercise that gets your heart pumping[11]

All these things can help activate the switch in your brain. Know that there are things that you can influence in the here and now. That alone is enough to decrease some of the stress in your busy life. Ultimately, science may find a way to control this switch, but that might not happen anytime soon. With this in mind, the easiest, fastest way to burn fat, is by incorporating these tips into your lifestyle.

Fun Fact: Ever heard of the “Sleeping Beauty Diet?” Elvis Presley tried making this diet popular. The diet was exactly what it sounds like — people being sedated for days at a time. Basically, it was fasting while asleep. He reasoned that a person can’t eat junk food if they are sleeping![12] Although adequate sleep plays an important role in weight loss, this is a dangerous dieting method and should be avoided at all costs.[13]

Tips for Understanding This Switch

  1. Take inventory of your lifestyle and factors that may lead to obesity. Namely, keep stress levels at bay using self-care techniques. In addition, keep healthy, satisfying foods in the house.
  2. Change the things that need improving in an effort to lose weight. For instance, think about what time you usually eat lunch and make changes accordingly.
  3. Understand the way that this switch works. Eventually, the scientific community hopes to find a way to control that Crat protein which in turn controls the switch. Until then, there are changes you can make to your diet and your lifestyle to mimic the switch activation.

You Can Start to Burn Fat Fast Today

Finding the fastest way to burn fat is a universal problem that negatively impacts many people. It’s important to understand the way that it works and how the body responds to all of the contributing factors. For the time being, there are some things that you can positively influence here and now which include things like diet, exercise, and a clean and healthy lifestyle.

In summary, understand the way that this switch works and its very existence — but then let it go. Though there may indeed be efforts to help influence it in the future, they are a way off. Above all, just focus on what you can do to make the healthiest lifestyle choices.

References

Scientific References: