This simple tweak to your day can make a HUGE difference!

Let’s talk about NEAT!

NEAT stands for Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis.

It sounds complicated but it’s really not.

Basically, NEAT refers to the calories burned during activities that are not considered formal exercise (i.e., cleaning the house, walking the dog, taking the stairs, standing for long periods of time, fidgeting, etc.).

Many people don’t think about NEAT as being a super important component when it comes to fat loss, body recomposition, and overall health; however, you may change your mind after reading this…

Studies have shown that low levels of NEAT are predictive of fat gain over time and variations in NEAT can actually have a large (if not the most significant) impact on the total daily energy expenditure that occurs from person to person.

And here’s the coolest part about NEAT and where you should REALLY take note:

• N.E.A.T makes up a whopping 15% of your total daily energy expenditure (TDEE).

That’s big...

It’s actually more than a workout (which is only about 10% of your TDEE).

And did you know NEAT can actually vary by up to 2,000 calories per day for two people of the same weight and body composition??

Yup, it’s true!

Most people think that exercise makes up the biggest difference in energy expenditure from person to person, but in reality, that only occurs if large amounts of exercise are being done and this usually only pertains to well-trained athletes.

Here’s a quick example ⬇️

Let’s take an average person working a 9-5 and sitting at their desk most of the day. Say they burn about 1 calorie per minute just sitting there.

Take that same person and upgrade them to a standing desk. Now, let's say they’re burning about 2 calories per minute standing.

While that jump from 1 calorie to 2 calories seems relatively small, it actually equates to burning an extra 60 calories per hour. This means for that 8-hour work shift, an extra 480 calories would be burned (roughly the same as a 45-60 minute exercise session!).

This is of course just an example, but as you can see, small variations in daily movement (one of the easiest being standing vs. sitting for the majority of the day) can definitely add up and make a HUGE difference over time.

Don't slack on your NEAT! 🙌🏻