Non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT) is the energy expenditure of all physical activities other than volitional sporting-like exercise, such as walking, fidgeting, doing dishes, playing with your kids or even chewing gum.
For 2 adults of roughly the same size, caloric expenditure can vary as much as 2,000 calories. This is why NEAT is so important.
Do you ever feel like maybe you just have a slow metabolism? Well, it’s probably not a metabolism problem, it’s a movement problem, or a lack thereof.
Your basal metabolic rate (BMR- estimate of how many calories you’d burn if you were to do nothing but rest for 24 hours. It represents the minimum amount of energy needed to keep your body functioning, including breathing and keeping your heart beating) plus the thermic effect of the foods you eat, added to Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis (NEAT)makes up your energy requirements for each day.
In order to lose fat, your caloric expenditure must be greater than you caloric intake. Studies show that sedentary obese individuals tend to be seated for 2.5 more hours than their lean sedentary counterparts. By just standing 2.5 hours alone 350 more calories can be burned.
Below are some tips to help you increase your NEAT:
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Walk around your house or yard while you’re on the phone
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Have a walking meeting with your co-workers
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USE THE STAIRS INSTEAD OF THE ELEVATOR
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Take a quick walk and stand up from your desk once every hour
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Wash your dishes by hand