Written by Health Expert, Mindy Mazur:

Does this sound familiar? Join a gym for a year, pay joining fee, and go maybe 5 times in one year? That was me until two years ago (when my last gym membership expired). Instead, I incorporated activities I could do by just walking outside like:

• Walking my dog twice a day/once at Cunningham Park
• Taking three weekly yoga classes with Fran Karoff at Milton’s First Congregational Church (I walk there, roundtrip, weather permitting)
• Swimming laps at Cunningham Pool
• Gardening
• Bicycling

Sometimes because of weather constraints, traveling, or being over-scheduled, I have had to resort to everyday ways of being physical also known as Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis: (N-E-A-T).

There are six S’s to NEAT:

• Stance
• Standing
• Strolling
• Stairs
• Samba
• Switch

Can you incorporate any of these activities into your daily schedule, in order to become more physically active?

• Stance: proper posture can strengthen the muscles that support your body’s core axis—
• Standing: the average adult can burn approximately 30-60 calories for every hour they stand up.
• Strolling: you don’t have to start a formal walking routine if you haven’t been doing the basics.
• Stairs:  remember the at home exercise machine called “The Stairmaster”?  Well don’t buy one, become Samba – okay so you don’t think you can dance. But if you simply turn up the music while you’re cleaning the house, garage or doing yard work I’d bet you’d pick up the pace!
• Switch: change the order

Here are 10 everyday NEAT activities (also includes the Six S’s) that you can incorporate into your daily life:

1. Park at the far away spot. Walking from the farthest corner of the parking lot will burn a few calories. If it’s a parking garage, head for the roof and use the stairs.
2. Get off T or bus before your stop and walk the rest of the way.
3. Walk and talk when you are on the phone.
4. Walk while you watch your child’s sports games.
5. Find a buddy to walk, jog, or bike with.
6. That buddy might have four legs. Several studies have shown that dog owners get more exercise than the canine-less.
7. DANCE…while you vacuum, dust, or do whatever house or garden work you find tedious.
8. Wash and dry the dishes by hand. The drying alone is a mini-workout for the arms.
9. Clean house. Even if you have a cleaning service.
10. Be a stair master. Always take stairs instead of the elevator or escalator

About our Health Expert:

Mindy Mazur

Mindy Mazur is a COPE Certified Health Coach through the Villanova Universtity College of Nursing. Since 2010, she has guided hundreds of people on their journey to discover their optimal health. Mindy follows the philosophy and system, “Take Shape for Life” created by her partner and bestselling NY Times author of “Discover Your Optimal Health,” Dr. Wayne Andersen. Mindy’s focus is to coach clients beyond the typical diet mentality to one of creating optimal health in their lives.

You can find out more about Mindy’s services at: mindymazur.ichooseoptimalhealth.com

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