UP YOUR NEAT

Non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT) is the energy expended for activities we do that is not sleeping, eating or sports-like exercise. This would include activity from the energy expended walking around, performing yard work and other household chores, taking stairs, playing with the kid or a pet and grocery shopping. Even seemingly small physical activities increase metabolic rate substantially and it is the cumulative impact of these many actions that culminate in an individual’s daily NEAT.

This may seem so trivial, yet a friend of mine keeps track of his movements through his iphone. What he noticed was that, throughout the day, through yard work, walking the dog, hanging with the kids, and taking the stairs versus the elevator at work, he logs approximately 10-15km of activity every day.

This accumulated energy expenditure has a dramatic effect on your metabolism, helping you get leaner without setting aside time to “exercise”.

Your task this week? Burn more calories by adding some productively busy chores, tasks, and leisure activities throughout the day.