NEAT

GET YOUR STEPS IN! 

Let’s talk about exercise and NEAT 

You may or may not have heard of the term NEAT before. Essentially this stands for NON EXERCISE ACTIVITY THERMOGENESIS- to simplify, any activity you do on a day to day basis that we do not necessarily consider as exercise. This could be standing, fidgeting, gesticulating even. What people don’t consider however is that NEAT makes up 20% of our overall daily energy expenditure. EAT – EXERCISE ACTIVITY THERMOGENESIS- what we consider as exercise activity only makes up 10%. 

People fail to neglect how important movement is on a day to day basis. When dieting our NEAT tends to suffer. WHY? People move less, WHY? People are trying to preserve as much energy as possible due to the decrease in calories. 

If you want to add to your overall daily energy expenditure, get your steps in, if you obsess about the calories you burn in an exercise class but then jump in a car or take the lift and escalators straight after then you’re missing the point. 

Here are a few simple ways to get more NEAT into your life.

If you’re sat at your desk- give yourself time to move around between calls and meetings. 

If you have the choice between a flight of stairs or a lift-TAKE THE STAIRS

If you live closer enough to the shops but tend to drive- walk

If you live too far away from the shops and need to drive, park further away from the entrance. 

Don’t underestimate the workout you get from vacuuming your house. BE HOUSE PROUD!

Wherever you can MOVE, MOVE, MOVE, it may seem small and futile but I promise adding this movement in to your day will make big changes in the long term.