Earlier this week, I posted a video to talk about what exercise or PLAY is all about. 

You see, for decades, people have thought that they have to exercise to lose weight, and they take on all sorts of crazy regimes to make that happen, often channelling their high school sporting glory days while getting hurt in the process.  

Here’s the truth—exercise ISN’T about weight loss.

It’s not about abs or the scale. For many people, focussing just on weight loss will always make exercise a struggle. 

What if I told you that exercise IS about your quality of life and the ability to fight disease?

When you shift your mindset to realize that play (or exercise) will help you:

• enjoy life more
• feel more confident
• be more energetic
• get more productive
• have more FUN
• fight chronic disease

…it becomes something that you are more likely to put in the time and effort to practice.  And it doesn’t have to be a “workout” either. 

Do you know about NEAT?

Someone might see that word and think, heck yeah, I’m neat all the time! Or, living at home so much these days, I’ve realized that I’m not neat, and neither is the rest of my family!

Well, I’m not talking about the verb, I’m talking about the Acronym N.E.A.T. It’s a crucial piece of your health and longevity equation.

NEAT stands for “non-exercise activity thermogenesis” — in simple terms, it’s the energy we expend doing everything that is not sleeping, eating, formal exercise or sports. 

The human body is always expending energy, and your total amount each day comes from a combination of three things:

1. The rate at which you process/digest the foods you eat (the thermic effect of food): 10%
2. The energy your body requires to function when it’s not in motion (your resting or basal metabolic rate [B.M.R.]): 60%
3. Non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT): 30%

Notice how none of these energy expenditure activities include formal exercise?

What are some great ways to boost your N.E.A.T?

All movement matters, including the fun stuff like playing with your kids or grandkids, things like cooking, shopping, gardening, standing around, and fidgeting. Make your N.E.A.T activity fun, and you are more likely going to be consistent, which will add quality to your life.

A bonus to playing is that it can also help boost neural activity and cognition, so not only are you burning more energy, you could be increasing your brain function as well.

Now, especially in a pandemic and health at the top of people’s minds, doesn’t exercise or moving your body (play) sound like a good idea? 

Turns out you are NEAT after all. 

Keep well and play on!

Coach Jan xox

P.S.  Whenever you’re ready for more, here are a few ways I can help:

Connect with me on Facebook, Instagram or Linkedin

OR… grab a copy of my practical back-to-basics guide on how to embrace exercise as play here – The Play Book:  How To Get In The Habit Of Good Health.

Watch The Healthy Habits Solution Webinar  – and learn the 3 Surprising Secrets Busy Women Need to Know to Fight Chronic Disease as They Age…without taking Pills, Special Diets, or Going to The Gym.