Talk to me about NEAT...

Darkdiamond · 2025-07-27T19:09:39+00:00

..*.Non-exercise activity thermogenesis*, basically all of the moving, standing, fidgeting and mini movements we do all day. Do you think it helps with weight loss, metabolism or any other aspects of health? I'm new to the world of exercise and while I know it's not a replacement for a proper exercise routine, it is very interesting! What do you think about it and do you think it's makes a difference, or is it all too insignificant to have an impact.

Haggisfish3 · 28/07/2025 00:10

I think it must have an impact. I move all the time and am fidgety. I don’t put weight on easily (or I didn’t, prior to menopause!).

NoctuaAthene · 28/07/2025 00:21

I'm not really sure what you're asking about whether it makes a difference? NEAT is a biological fact, not something you can choose to do or not do. Is what you're asking whether consciously choosing to stand up and down or fidget more something that can help with weight loss or health? In which case I'd say it could help a little, in that any exercise however little is better than none, and if you are very very time poor and find it very hard to find time for more 'proper' or formal exercise building little micro exercise sessions into your day is definitely going to be much better than being totally sedentary. However do I think if you're overweight and unfit can you lose weight or significantly increase your cardiovascular fitness simply through fidgetting or walking around your house or other day to day activity, probably not - maybe if you've been very unwell and near bed bound so very very little NEAT, and then get better and go back to a more normal daily routine then perhaps. That doesn't mean it isn't really interesting to learn about NEAT and how our bodies work, how many calories we need to simply exist (it's easy to get caught up in diet culture and start to think all calories are bad and to be avoided). But I would focus more on the things that you can control and where you'll see results, i.e. increasing your exercise or changing your diet, in whatever way works for you...

Original poster

Darkdiamond · 28/07/2025 00:36

NoctuaAthene · 28/07/2025 00:21

I'm not really sure what you're asking about whether it makes a difference? NEAT is a biological fact, not something you can choose to do or not do. Is what you're asking whether consciously choosing to stand up and down or fidget more something that can help with weight loss or health? In which case I'd say it could help a little, in that any exercise however little is better than none, and if you are very very time poor and find it very hard to find time for more 'proper' or formal exercise building little micro exercise sessions into your day is definitely going to be much better than being totally sedentary. However do I think if you're overweight and unfit can you lose weight or significantly increase your cardiovascular fitness simply through fidgetting or walking around your house or other day to day activity, probably not - maybe if you've been very unwell and near bed bound so very very little NEAT, and then get better and go back to a more normal daily routine then perhaps. That doesn't mean it isn't really interesting to learn about NEAT and how our bodies work, how many calories we need to simply exist (it's easy to get caught up in diet culture and start to think all calories are bad and to be avoided). But I would focus more on the things that you can control and where you'll see results, i.e. increasing your exercise or changing your diet, in whatever way works for you...

Yes to everything you said! I'm not overweight and have just lost about a stone and have taken up a proper exercise routine taking me from sedentary to quite active. I've also been making lots of micro changes: taking the stairs instead of the lift, standing when I could be sitting, pacing when on the phone etc. I guess I was just wondering what's happening inside my body when I consistently make the active choice through the day, in lots of small ways.

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