energy stored, so you should eat less and
move more.” But when receptors in the brain
and other tissues become less sensitive to
leptin, those messages don’t get through. Your
brain doesn’t hear leptin say that you’ve got
enough body fat stored.
Which means your brain thinks you’re too
skinny.
Imagine that your brain is blind, unable to
see your chubby reflection in the mirror or the
creeping number on the scale. It needs leptin
to give it the facts it can’t see. So until the
brain hears leptin say, “OK, we’re fat
enough,” the brain is going to keep telling you
to eat more and move less, to ensure your
survival.
Remember, it’s pessimistic. And without
that leptin message, your subconscious brain
will continue to direct your behaviors as if
you were too lean—despite the fact that you
know you’re gaining too much weight.