NEAT stands for Non-exercise activity thermogenesis. Before we get into this topic, many of our athletes have always done this without even knowing it.
NEAT essentially means the expenditure of calories without making a conscientious effort. Examples of NEAT include activities such as cooking, cleaning, gardening, walking, non-competitive sports activities, or just any movement. While it might not seem revolutionary, it turns out that NEAT can have quite a substantial impact on our metabolic rates and calorie expenditures. Some are lucky enough that have jobs that force them to move a bit more, while the majority have desk jobs and must consider the consequences of being a bit sedentary.
"According to studies, a 150-pound person can expect to burn approximately 100 calories an hour while sitting at work. If that person stood while working, they would burn 175 calories an hour."
That extra 75 calories might not seem like a lot, but much like compounding interest, it can add up to more than 18,000 calories burned per year, leading to an approximate 5-pound weight loss. Without utilizing NEAT, you would have to do 30 high-intensity workouts, or 60 low-intensity runs to get those same results.
As fitness enthusiast, it's easy to fall into the "more is more" trap. By that, I mean double training sessions daily or unhealthy caloric deficits. Although those are certainly ways to expedite your progress in the short term, this is not sustainable in the long run and can lead to burn-out, injury, and a slumped metabolism.
NEAT is a secret that you will not hear much about on media outlets because it cannot be monetized. However, as your coaches, it's our fiduciary responsibility to give you all the tools you need to become the healthiest version of yourself.
We hope this fitness tip helps move the needle for you all this year!
Happy Monday!
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