5 Ways To Increase Your NEAT This Winter

When it comes to the holiday season, it’s no surprise most of us struggle with weight gain. We are busier, have less time to work out, and there is food everywhere we turn.

But, don’t lose hope if you haven’t been able to be as consistent with your gym sessions. You can easily burn more calories with your everyday activities by focusing on increasing your NEAT.

What is NEAT?

Non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT) is the energy expended for everything we do that isn’t sleeping, eating or sports-like exercise. It ranges from the energy expended walking to work, typing, performing yard work, undertaking agricultural tasks and fidgeting.

Even trivial physical activities increase metabolic rate substantially and it is the cumulative impact of a multitude of exothermic actions that culminate in an individual’s daily NEAT. It could be a critical component in how we maintain our body weight and/or develop obesity or lose weight. Here are some easy ways you can increase your NEAT this holiday season.

1. Park further away

With holiday traffic and busy retail stores, this should be an easy one to implement. But instead of getting frustrated that you can’t find a close parking spot, be grateful you can increase your NEAT! The further away you are, the more steps you take, the more calories you burn.

– RELATED: How To Stop Winter Ruining Your Fitness Goals –

2. Plan social outings that include activity

Meet your friend for a walk instead of sitting down with your coffee. Walk around the mall a few extra laps while doing your holiday shopping. Walk to view Christmas lights with your family instead of driving.

3. Take the stairs

The option is there and we usually don’t give the escalator or elevator a second thought. But whenever you can, take the stairs! This is an easy way to get in extra steps and up your heart rate. A few steps a couple times a day adds up!

4. Hang your Christmas lights

Get into the holiday spirit and hang up your own Christmas lights. This is not only a great way to participate in some festive holiday spirit but its also physically exerting and a great way to get in that calorie burn.

5. Volunteer

Even if it’s just volunteering to wrap all the gifts for your family or volunteering to help with walking dogs at an animal shelter! There are many ways to give back while increasing your NEAT this holiday season.

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