NEAT VS EAT

Nothing happens until something moves."
- Albert Einstein

While we may be culturally mandated to sit, we are biologically designed to move. When we stand up more and move more – especially throughout the day – we are taking steps to get healthier, more engaged, and more productive.  So, go ahead:  Be an Office Athlete

 
THE KEY IS MORE “NEAT”
 
The real question is less about exercise – and more about simply infusing more movement, aka “NEAT,” into our daily lives. As described by researcher James Levine, “EAT,” or exercise activity thermogenesis refers to any kind of intentional workout – going out for a run, going to the gym, going for a swim.“NEAT,” or non-exercise activity thermogenesis, refers to any kind of incidental movement throughout our day – running errands, doing household chores, or getting up from our desk (hint hint)

It’s the NEAT levels we should be focused on the most. We just need to simply move more – and sit less – throughout the day, especially throughout our workday.
We're sitting way too much.  On average, we’re sitting about 13 hours a day and 86% of us are pretty much sitting all day, every day.  Here’s the problem:  too much sitting may be as little as 3 hours a day!  Within a shockingly short span of time (a couple of hours), our bodies experience changes on a cellular level that put us at much greater risk than when we're moving (or even standing).

Exercise does NOT negate the negative effects of too much sitting.  That’s right – while getting a workout is good, it does NOT offset the effects of too much sitting.  We still need to stay on our feet – and preferably moving – throughout the day.

So, what can you do so that you can move more at work?

SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES
 
Here are ways that you and your team - even if you're virtually connected - can get in motion.

• Walking meetings – Is it possible to walk and talk at the same time – even though you’re not together in person?
• Standing meetings – For your next Zoom team meeting, can you all try standing? Or start the meeting off with a stretch
• Athlete in the Office – As a team, can you dedicate a time in the day when you all practice a little bit of stretching and moving at your desk? 
• Drink that extra bottle of  water – It will ensure you get up more frequently to use the bathroom
• Place the bin a little further away – so you have to get up from your desk that little bit more
• Sit to stand – try creating a standing desk by placing your laptop on a higher bench. This will break up the seated posture time
• Take the stairs – need I say more?
• Little by little, do a little bit a lot

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