Non Exercise Activity Thermogenesis is pretty much how it sounds (well...sort of). Any moving you do that isn't planned or structured exercise. Your body burns calories with any activity which creates heat (hence the 'Thermo' bit).

Increasing this increases your caloric requirements for the day, which can offset any extra calories which may sneak in. Coupled with JERF (Just Eat Real Food!), it all helps to keep that metabolism burning nicely (please note: to keep a healthy metabolism you must eat your required calories per day...exercising more and eating less DOESN'T work!).

By moving more in your day the healthier you will be.

Try the following to increase your N.E.A.T:

- Quit the lift and take the stairs (even better if carrying stuff!)

- Journeys less than a mile, quit the car.

- Get off the bus/ train a stop early and walk the rest.

- Get up and move from sitting every 30 mins (set a timer to remind you)

- If you work in an office cut back on emails....go visit your recipients instead.

- Add in more trips to water fountain, do more tea rounds and volunteer to run more errands in the office.

- Every time you get a call on the mobile, go for a wander while you chat.

- Park further from the door in a car park.

- Every 2 hrs driving stop and walk for a bit (also good practice to stop as driving destroys your posture).

- Get a Dog...or borrow one and walk it!

- Fidget more..studies suggest that fidgeters burn considerably more calories.

- Quit machines such as dish washers, electric toothbrushes etc. Going manual means more movement for you.

- Hide the remote..plus whilst at it limit TV time!

- Go for a stroll...make it a mission to explore your local area in the odd half hour walks. Getting lost is even better...adds mileage!

- Make it a rule that every sunny evening you will ditch the TV and get out for a half hour walk.

Sometimes time gets in the way but try adding in a few of these, they will become habits if you stick at it. It works the same as exercise...the more you move the more you will want to move.

I'm now off to coach 6 sessions of rugby to 18mth to 7 year olds..so my NEAT will definitely be increased ;-)

Move often,

J