When many people think of trying to lose fat and subsequently getting in shape they think of going to the gym.

They feel that all they have to do is go to the gym and workout (don’t forget the actual workout part) for 2, 3 or more hours a week and the fat will just magically fall right off.

After a couple of weeks they don’t see the results that they are looking for.  So what do they do?  They add even more time at the gym.

After a couple of more weeks of not seeing the results they want, what do they do?  They give up working out because they are sick of going to the gym all the time, waiting for a parking spot close to the building to open and not getting the results that they want.

Wait let’s back up here a second, did I read that right?  They go to the gym to workout and then wait for a parking spot near the building so they don’t have to walk the extra few hundred feet to WORKOUT?

Yep.

I see done everyday at work.  And I am quite certain that these same people do this where ever they go.

Now I am not talking about the handicapped or the elderly here.  I am talking about younger not so unhealthy people.  The ones that are quite capable of parking farther away and leaving the close spots for those that need them.

I have even watched people drive around the front of the building a few times and if a spot doesn’t open up, they leave.  Not kidding.  Ask me about the Expressline lady sometime.

This doesn’t describe you, right?  RIGHT?

These people are totaling missing out on a natural phenomenon that can help them burn up to an additional 20% of their daily calories.  Without even trying too hard.

What am I talking about?

I am talking about Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis a.k.a NEAT.   NEAT consists of all the ways that we burn calories without actually exercising.

Wait. I can burn calories without having to exercise?

Yes.

Sign me up.  So what do I have to do?

Ways to be NEAT are:

• park as far away from where you are going as possible (if you park closer when the weather stinks, don’t worry. I won’t tell)
• take the stairs instead of the escalator or elevator
• walk whenever and where ever possible
• shovel instead of using a snow blower (do not do this if you have a heart condition)
• wash your dishes by hand
• go inside to order instead of going through the drive through (you better be getting something healthy)
• get a walk behind mower (because your lawn really isn’t that big)
• get up to change the channel
• play with your kids instead of handing them a Game-boy
• fidget
• do whatever would require the most energy in the situation you find yourself in.

Just making some of these small changes can bring your NEAT from 15% of your daily calorie burn to 50%.  This can add up to an extra 1000 calories burned a day.  Without even having to step foot in the gym.  Unless you are coming to see my gorgeous face of course.

If everyone in the U.S did even just a couple of the things listed above everyday, it could totally wipe out the obesity epidemic that is going on right now.

Your friend and trainer,

Paul F. Sweatt

Tags: calorie burn, calories, fat loss, getting in shape, gym, NEAT, non-exercise activity thermogenesis, shovel, take the stairs, walk

This entry was posted on Wednesday, March 17th, 2010 at 9:40 pm and is filed under Fitness, Weight Loss Strategies. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Posted by Paul | in Fitness, Weight Loss Strategies | 1 Comment