Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis—better known by the very forced acronym “NEAT.”
This includes all the movement you do outside of the gym: walking, fidgeting, laughing, doing dishes, pacing on phone calls—basically anything that gets you up and moving throughout the day.
And it turns out, these small movements can have a big impact on how many calories you burn daily.
For example:
- Constant fidgeting (like tapping your foot or shifting around) can add up to roughly 300–350 calories per day
(about the same as a 3-mile run) - Walking while taking phone calls? About 300 calories per hour
- Doing dishes for 30 minutes? Around 50–100 calories
These numbers add up quickly—especially if you’re trying to lose weight.
The key takeaway is simple: the more you move outside of your workouts, the more you can increase your daily calorie burn.
That doesn’t mean you need to overhaul your life. It just means finding ways to naturally move more throughout your day.
If you’re in a place like Houston, where the heat can make it harder to get outside, you’ve got to get a little creative. And locals have figured that out.
One thing I’ve been doing this summer is taking work calls on my phone while walking the trails at Memorial Park. There are miles of shaded paths with solid cell service, and it’s a great way to combine movement with productivity—without being stuck indoors. And for most of the Vegvisir community, it’s less than 30 minutes away.
If you’re not sure how to add more NEAT into your routine, feel free to reach out. I’d be happy to help you come up with ideas that actually fit your schedule and lifestyle.
To talk with a coach today, click the link found HERE to schedule your No Sweat Intro