The magic of moving more
It sounds simple: To maintain your weight and protect your health, you need to burn as many calories as you eat and drink. But at this stage of life you’re likely moving less overall, even if you exercise. Here’s help!
While you should aim for 150 minutes a week of moderate, heart-pumping exercise, the movements you make beyond bona fide exercise can rev up your calorie burn, too, according to a scientific review in Best Practice & Research Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
How NEAT keeps you lean
Yard work, laundry, and even searching your home for your phone can increase non-exercise activity thermogenesis, also known as NEAT, the calories you scorch through daily activities. Older adults burn 29 percent fewer calories through NEAT than young people, research in The American Journal of Physiology Endocrinology and Metabolism found. You can change that!
Moving more can lower your risk of metabolic syndrome as well as cardiovascular events like strokes, according to a review by the Mayo Clinic. The upshot? By staying active through the years, you’ll have a healthier, higher quality of life.
Easy everyday calorie burners
Stay active, even as the weather gets colder.
- Play with your pet
- Horse around with your grandkids
- Prepare a meal
- Do arts and crafts
- Play an instrument
- Do light yard work
Move more
Not sure where to start? Try these.
1. Get up for five minutes EVERY half hour.
Set a timer on your phone, then go do a chore.
2. Make sedentary time more active.
Pace while you’re on the phone, or do some yoga stretches while watching TV. Fidgeting can also be good for your health!
