What is NEAT? Northampton Personal Trainer Explains

Can Increasing Your NEAT Make Your Jeans Fit Better?

It really can, but what is NEAT and how can you increase it?

NEAT stands for Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis. Basically how active you are when you’re not exercising.

If you analyse your lifestyle and notice that you drive to work, sit at a desk, drive home and then sit on the sofa watching Emmerdale, chances are your NEAT is low and yes, just by increasing your activity levels will have a positive impact on your health as well as your jeans.

Combined with healthy eating and regular exercise, there’s a good percentage that you’ll bag a few extra years onto your lifespan and a little less worry you’ll be riddled with disease or illness.

The Life Of Niagara

This analogy sticks with me ever since I read ‘Awaken The Giant Within‘ by Tony Robbins. His description of peoples lives representing Niagara River is a pretty accurate description of how many adults live. Floating down river just keeping up with the current when suddenly Niagara Falls approaches and you realise you need to start making some massive changes otherwise you’re going over the edge. Had you been proactive further upstream this would have been avoided and a far smoother journey was to be had.

You Can’t Or You Don’t Want To?

I totally get it, you’re busy. Yep well me too along with a whole load of others. Our lives are full to the brim with things to do and distractions to knock you of course, but in reality, who is looking after you? If you aren’t somewhere near the top of your list of priorities just stop right there and take a second to think about that. Your children, parents, pets, work, money, happiness, friendships, networks and every other responsibility you may have, should NOT come before your own health. Is this selfish? Maybe, but like I said earlier if you don’t look after you, who will?

You have a choice to be the best version of you. Some people don’t. So when I hear the words ‘I don’t have time’ or ‘I cant fit it in around my schedule’ what this really means is ‘I don’t want to’

Getting up 30 mins earlier to do a 25 mins HIIT workout, walking or cycling to work, taking the stairs instead of an elevator, holding a walking meeting, exercising in your lunch hour or choosing the gym, or a game of squash instead of the TV.

All these options are your choices. Your choices are what moulds your lifestyle, Your lifestyle is a result of your actions.

If you change nothing, nothing changes.

Have A Brain Dump

Before you rush off and sign up to a gym or take out a membership at the leisure centre, ask yourself if this is the solution? Have you done this previously and lost interest or didn’t notice changes? It’s worth having a proper brain storm and creating a plan of action, after all, this is your future and you want to get it right.

Invest in yourself and ask an expert to help. You wouldn’t learn to drive by reading a magazine, you’d consult a specialist and book some lessons, If you want results when it comes to health and fitness, source a reputable coach and book some sessions or sign up to a programme where you can be guided and advised. This avoids delays in your results and keeps motivation high.

Physical activity doesn’t have an end date so you might as well enjoy the journey.