Dec 13 2008

What a NEAT idea.

 

When you don't move

When you don't move

 

Being a movement guy, I get a lot of email relating to, well, movement.

Just today, in fact, I was emailed a link to an article which discussed why exercise alone is not the solution to the obesity epidemic.

No surprise there, as we all know that nutrition plays a fairly large role.

However, in this article, the author was discussing how a few hours a week of exercise was still not enough movement.

I agree.

This is where NEAT comes into play.

NEAT is the acronym for Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis and represents ALL of your daily movement that’s not intentional exercise.

This includes puttering around your house (or your desk), walking to the mailbox, around the grocery store, to the dry cleaners or even your fidgeting.

Just move.

Just move.

According to this article, in the past 150 years, we have dropped NEAT related calorie burn by about 2000 calories a day.

If you think that seems like a lot, it’s because it is!

We’ve stopped taking the stairs, we drive everywhere, we use remote controls and have automation everywhere. Technology is playing its part in making us fatter. 

Take a stand. And move. 

Dev Chengkalath


Dec 2 2008

Randy from American Idol Had It Right

Randy Jackson was a guest on ABC’s The View this morning.

Even though he had a gastric bypass to jump-start his rapid weight loss, he had three simple words of wisdom that, when applied correctly, can initiate incredible changes to you body, your health and your life.

“Just move more.”

The human body was designed to move. So move more often, and not just for exercise. Try to use your muscles whenever you can.

For example, try the stairs instead of the elevator or the escalator.

Walk places instead of driving.

If you do drive, try parking farther away from the entrance and walk a bit more.

At work, go for a walk during your lunch break.

These are all simple habits that will increase your daily movement and keep you in better shape and better health.

Just move more.

 

Dev Chengkalath