The Archive
Hacks
Each hack is rated on a tongue-in-cheek unethical scale from 1–5. They're all intended to be safe, practical, and boring enough to work.
Level 1
Barely Unethical
Easy wins with low friction. These are the simplest changes that require minimal effort but deliver consistent results.
Kill Liquid Calories
Swap sugary drinks for water / zero-cal options without changing meals.
Protein-Anchored Breakfast
Start the day with a high-protein anchor to reduce later snacking.
The Caffeine Buffer
Use black coffee or green tea as a natural appetite mute.
Level 2
A Little Unethical
Adding friction to overeating. These tactics introduce small barriers that make mindless eating less automatic.
Level 3
Questionable
Social and situational tactics that are still safe. These strategies might feel a bit manipulative or robotic, but they work within social situations.
The Default Order Rule
Pre-decide your “default” restaurant order to avoid decision fatigue.
Small Plate, Big Volume
Use a smaller plate and load it with high-volume foods first.
The First-Order Shield
Order first to prevent 'social calorie contagion'.
Level 4
Very Unethical
Commitment devices and rules you can't wiggle out of. These require more upfront planning and structure, making it harder to make poor decisions.
Pre-Commit Your Groceries
Shop with a fixed list and no “just in case” snacks.
Closed Kitchen Cutoff
Pick a nightly cutoff time and treat it like a meeting.
The Visual Deception
Maximize surface area to trick the brain into thinking there’s more food.
Level 5
Extremely Unethical
Still safe, but socially ruthless. These are the most aggressive strategies that prioritize results over social comfort.
Make Eating Public (Accountability)
A lightweight accountability system that makes backsliding annoying.
Always Bring the Protein
Carry a simple protein option so you don’t get forced into junk decisions.
The Anti-Charity Bet
Use loss aversion to make failure physically painful to your wallet.