5 “NEAT” things you can do to burn more calories all day long
Are you one of those people that just can’t sit still? Do you do things like constantly tap your leg? Do you take the stairs instead of the elevator? Do you walk to the corner store instead of drive (I know no one does this in Houston!). Well, you might be doing yourself a favor if weight loss is your goal. By doing little things you are likely burning 200 to 300 calories more per day on top of whatever exercise you do. According to Liz Vaccariello, Editor in Chief of Prevention Magazine, this process actually has a name.
It is called NEAT which stands for “Non Exercise Activity Thermogenesis”.
Basically, it’s the extra stuff you do, physically, all day long that adds up. Make a point to add more “NEAT” into your day and you can zap another 500 calories! Here are a few ideas:
Do crunches in bed
You could burn about 20 calories in under 5 minutes just by drawing your knees to your chest 25 to 50 times, plus it strengthens your abs and gets your blood pumping.
Dance around while getting dressed
Turn up the radio or listen to upbeat music on your iPod (if you can) while doing all your morning rituals—an hour of hip shakin’ can burn about 55 calories.
Stand up!
Don’t sit when you can be on your feet—you’ll burn about 40% more calories. So just take a stand—when you’re on the phone, watching kids at the playground, making small talk at a party.
Laugh
Watch something that’s consistently funny and you could burn about 40 calories if you guffaw for 10 to 15 minutes straight.
Walk, pace, jog down the hall
In other words, MOVE! Doing little bits of activity all day taking the stairs to use the restroom on another floor at work, doing an extra lap around the grocery store can help you burn an additional 375 calories a day!
