NEAT

While regular exercise is often touted as the key to achieving weight loss goals, there is another essential factor that plays a significant role in energy expenditure: non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT). NEAT refers to the energy expended through daily activities that are not structured exercises, such as walking, gardening, cleaning, and even fidgeting.

NEAT encompasses the multitude of small movements we make throughout the day that contribute to burning calories. These seemingly inconsequential activities, when accumulated, can make a substantial impact on overall energy expenditure. Studies have shown that NEAT can vary significantly between individuals and may account for up to 15-50% of total energy expenditure.

So the next time you see someone bouncing their knee under their desk at work, maybe they aren't nervous about a project and they're just trying to get shredded while manning the bore-box.