N.E.A.T - The Most Underrated Form of Movement

If you workout for 1 hour a day, but you're spending the rest of your 23 hours (well, 15 hours actually because for 8 hrs you're also sleeping) sitting in a chair/coach you're doing yourself a disservice.

Underrated: Non Exercise Activity Thermogenesis (NEAT).

NEAT: The unstructured portion of energy we burn through movement. It doesn't include working out - it's EVERYTHING else like fidgeting, walking around while on the phone, taking the stairs, cleaning your house, gardening, walking to the subway, standing while cooking, etc. Together NEAT + PA (Intentional Exercise) covers all the movement we do.

There are various reasons why you might not engage in as much NEAT as you'd like. Not fueling yourself properly throughout the day (aka under-eating) can cause a decrease in energy levels and will decrease your involuntary movements (like fidgeting, standing up more, pacing around more, etc.) and also subconscious decision making like choosing to take the stairs or cleaning the house because you're choosing to preserve energy and take it easy. Eating a surplus of processed foods can cause spike/fall of blood sugar levels causing you to fatigue more easily.

Our day to day also causes us to not utilize NEAT as much anymore:

• We have our cars to take us everywhere.

• We use electric bikes and electric scooters instead of walking.

• We work at a desk for hours a day.

• We watch TV on the couch.

• We order food in.

• We play with our kids less.

• We play outdoors less.

• We shop online.

• We use electric toothbrushes.
  
  

We're designed to move, but society has made it VERY easy not to.

Technology is there to save us time and effort, but at what cost?

Unfortunately, we can't out-exercise, a sedentary lifestyle.

It doesn't have to be difficult though!

Here are some easy ways to get in more NEAT throughout the day:

• Walk around during phone calls

• Take the stairs instead of the elevator

• Park a little farther way in the parking lot

• Go shopping instead of doing it online

• Take a regular bike, instead of an electric one

• Play with your kids outdoors

• Cook in the kitchen or pick-up your food

• Garden

• Clean your house

• Drink more water so you have to get up and pee

The more you move, the more energy you’ll get from moving over time.

The hardest part, is starting and getting out of the routine of NOT moving.

What's one NEAT method you'll try this week?

If you’re looking to feel more confident in your body, learn how to let go of dieting for good to enjoy food without guilt, and turn exercise into something you love to do rather than something you “have” to do, submit a client application to get in contact with me! I work with clients virtually all over the world helping those who are frustrated with dieting and want to change their relationship with food, exercise and themselves.

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Hi, I’m Azul Corajoria, an Integrative Health Coach, Personal Trainer & Yoga Instructor. I support my clients in making step-by-step changes so that they can live a healthy and balanced life. By recognizing the interdependent roles of mindset, nutrition, and movement I educate and hold my clients accountable for achieving their health goals through lifestyle and behavior adjustments with an emphasis on self-care. Together, we navigate the contradictory world of nutrition through intuitive eating, practice mindful movement, and implement small mindset and lifestyle shifts that empower them to be their best selves in the easiest way possible.