How to Improve your Metabolism with NEAT

Many people have a goal of losing weight and dropping body fat. It is a common belief that losing those extra pounds means extra work in the gym and in the kitchen. Just “move more and eat less” right? While yes, exercise and dieting can help you lose weight, there are more factors to consider!

In reality, the best way to lose weight AND keep it off is to make changes to your daily habits and overall activity level. What I am talking about is increasing your NEAT. What is NEAT? It is stands for Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis. It is the physical activity that you do outside of your exercise. It is all the physical movement you do during the day that burns calories. Wait, my simple movement adds to my calorie burn?? You got it!

Exercise is structured time where you are doing specific training and raising your heart rate for a specific amount of time. But…what are you doing in the 23 hours of the day?

My clients who have increased their NEAT saw an increase in energy, decrease in brain fog, better digestion AND better physical results long term.

Physical activity and daily movement is just as, if not important that structured exercise. Why? Cause this NEAT, or overall movement, has an impact on your overall metabolism, calorie burn energy levels and even cognitive function!

Movement to the spine generates oxygen and energy to the BRAIN and the rest of the body. The more you move, the better you’ll feel, mentally and physically!

NEAT can account for up to 20% of your overall daily calorie expenditure. Remember the goal of weight loss, and wanting to burn more than you consume? Increasing your NEAT will help support that!

Easy Ways to Improve your NEAT and Overall Daily Activity:

• Use a Standing Desk
• Fidget while you’re working
• Pace during phone calls
• Do a 2 minute stretching break every hour
• Set a daily step goal. Over 8k is ideal!
• Take 10-15 minute walks throughout the day
• Play with your kids and/or dog
• Cooking
• Cleaning
• Gardening or Yard Work
• Recreational sports, like biking, hiking, tennis
• Throw a football or play catch
• Take a 5 minute movement break every 2 hours
• Dance!
• Add in movements during other activities: Do squats when you brush your teeth, pushups during commercial breaks etc.
• Take extra laps around the store
• Park the farthest parking spot away
• Take the stairs whenever you can

First step is to be MINDFUL of your activity levels and improve where you can. Definitely KEEP your exercise routine going (that is super important!) but start to MOVE more in creative ways and you’ll notice a difference!