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When someone makes a decision to get fit, they usually join a gym. Unfortunately, gyms, fitness classes, and running are not for everyone.
For starters, some people just don’t have the time, while others are nervous or self-conscious and would rather take some time to build their confidence before doing jump lunges in front of a jam packed gym of spectators.
This is where non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT) comes in, which is basically any activity that isn’t sleeping, a sport or exercise.
The idea behind NEAT is that you don’t need to become a fitness fanatic to stay fit; you just need to keep moving.
Not having enough time for the gym isn’t an excuse to become a couch potato. There’s still a lot you can do to stay fit.
Cook your Meals from Scratch
You probably already know that it’s easier to eat healthy when you make your meals from scratch. In addition to controlling how much sugar and fat that goes into your food, there’s also an additional benefit: you do a lot of standing and walking around during meal prep.
Sure it seems like a small thing, but standing lowers your risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and other diseases that are caused by a sedentary lifestyle. It can also lower stress and boost energy levels.
Take up an Active Hobby
Engaging in an active hobby can help you stay fit while enriching your life. Gardening, hiking, cooking, dancing, or pretty much any hobby that gets you off the couch, benefits your life and health. Whether you prefer to be indoors or outdoors, you can find an active hobby that plays a role in helping you stay fit.
Skip Some Conveniences
We’ve grown accustomed to the convenience of modern life, such as food delivery services. Unfortunately, while certain conveniences make life easier and free up time, they also take away valuable opportunities to stay active.
For example, a grocery delivery service robs you of all the moving around and lifting involved with grocery shopping. It might not seem like a big deal at first, but when you think about it, these conveniences can add up to create a sedentary lifestyle.
To stay active and be fit, consider giving up some of the conveniences that you don’t really need. You might even save some money in the process!
Walk More
You’ve heard it a million times but it deserves another mention. There’s probably no better way to stay fit without hitting the gym than to walk.
So, park a couple of minutes away from work or the store and walk. Plan the walking route in advance so you don’t find yourself in an unwalkable or unsafe area.
Walking is good for the heart, lowers the risk of coronary artery disease, and is a great for stress reduction; many people aim for 10,000 steps a day.
The bottom line is that it’s possible to enjoy better health and wellness without spending hours a day at the gym.
Just get off the couch and take up an active hobby, cook your own meals, walk more and generally find creative ways to leverage the power of non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT) that fit easily into your lifestyle.
