For the last few years, activity trackers like the classic pedometer, FitBit, Garmin Vivoactive and even smart watches like the Apple Watch have motivated people to increase their activity because they need to “get their steps in,” but why? If you cannot answer this, keep reading!
Specific training like lifting weights, running, interval training, etc. all serve a purpose and there is no substitute for this focused work. While it will indeed burn calories or “get your steps in,” it may not be where your primary focus should be when you are looking to increase your calorie expenditure each day.
NEAT is an acronym for
Non Exercise Activity Thermogenesis and you NEED to know what this is!!
The Mayo Clinic defines this as, “common daily activities, such as fidgeting, walking, and standing. These high-effect NEAT movements could result in up to an extra 2000 kcal of expenditure per day beyond the basal metabolic rate, depending on body weight and level of activity.” As well, “These additive activities are associated with energy expenditure beyond the basal metabolic activity and account for significant thermogenesis and energy consumption.”
This is extremely important to consider when you have a goal of weight loss, maintaining a healthy weight or if life circumstances like your job lead to a primarily sedentary lifestyle! Maybe you don’t need to do two-a-days at the gym.. Maybe you just choose to stand more often rather than sit, maybe you take the stairs, maybe you park at the back of the parking lot, maybe you set a timer at work and take walk breaks or even swap out your chair for a medicine ball so you can move around while you sit!!
The Mayo Clinic even states,”We believe that to overcome the obesity epidemic and its adverse cardiovascular consequences, NEAT should be part of the current medical recommendations.”
Here are a few articles for further exploration on this topic...
Take an Active Break!
There is plenty of research that show the benefits of taking scheduled breaks and how it positively impacts your productivity. But it's so easy to get caught up in a task, an email, an equation, etc. and not even realize how long you've been working until you hit "the wall" and your brain says, "Nope!"
Have you ever tried a focus timer? They're so easy to use and you can set your work time as well as your break time. When you start working simply hit start and let it do the timing for you!
Click the links below to check out our preferred focus timer apps for both Android and iOS devices!
*The resources and links listed are only suggested as sources for further exploration. They do not necessarily imply endorsement.
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