A NEAT way to burn calories

Technology has made our lives easier. Everything is available at the tip of our fingers but this has its own consequences. It has reduced the amount of physical activity we do every day — be it walking to school/office or buying groceries to doing chores. Physical activities other than eating, sleeping, playing sports or performing exercises are called Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis (NEAT). They contribute significantly to our wellbeing, including functional fitness.

“NEAT refers to the energy we spend on different activities or calories burnt from all physical activities other than deliberate exercise, sleep and eating,” says Dr Neelam K Sharma, HOD physical and sports science, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, India.

Here are some NEAT activities which contribute to the burning of calories, thereby helping in weight management: 

• Walking, standing, and fidgeting
• Doing household chores like cleaning, cooking and gardening
• Taking the stairs instead of the elevator
• Playing with children or pets
• Doing yard work or gardening
• Typing and using a computer mouse
• Pacing around while talking on the phone

NEAT and exercises

NEAT does contribute to a healthy life, but they are not a replacement for regular exercise. Workouts which include cardio, strength training and stretching help build muscle and bone density. They increase physical performance, endurance and strengthen the cardiovascular system.

So, it is paramount that NEAT activities should only be one part of your daily physical exertion. Regular exercise is necessary to maintain optimal physical health. 

“NEAT is an important element in the growth and development of the human body, it is not sufficient on its own, but it can act as a substitute for exercises, especially for weight loss,” says Tanuja Panda, a freelance fitness coach from Bengaluru.

NEAT and weight loss

By engaging in physical activity, even at low intensity, you increase your energy expenditure and stimulate your metabolism rate. This can lead to improved energy utilisation. It also utilises stored fat which helps in weight management.

“Regular physical activity has been shown to increase muscle mass, which can also have a positive impact on metabolism,” says Sharma. “Thus, incorporating NEAT activities into your daily routine can help boost your metabolism, leading to improved overall health.” 

NEAT keeps you active 

Neat keeps us active and saves us from becoming obese and maybe even falling sick. Staying active keeps fatigue and lethargic away too.

“Active does not mean going to the gym and exercising for an hour,” says Panda. “There has to be some other form of physical activity apart from exercises. Other physical activities include household chores or walking while using the phone.”

NEAT was an organic part of life for the previous generations. It helped them stay healthy and fit.”

“[The energy spent] in physical activities were more than what they gained eating [invariably homemade food],” says Panda. “This principle of calorie-in versus calories-out was followed [in a natural way]. To lead a healthy life, physical activity and healthy eating should be good enough.”

Takeaways

• Non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT) is the measure of calories burnt through simple, everyday tasks. 
• NEAT activities can provide numerous health benefits — from increased metabolism and improved heart health to increased energy levels and reduced body fat.
• Incorporating NEAT activities into daily life can have a positive impact on overall performance in various activities by improving physical and mental wellbeing.