have coached nutrition to general population individuals for many years now, and a striking pattern has emerged. People are not eating enough to fuel their bodies. Over the years we...
Movement Beyond the gym
Daily movement is one of the most overlooked pieces of health and fitness. Many people believe that if they hit the gym for 30 minutes or run on a treadmill a few times per week, they have “checked the box” for activity. While structured exercise is important, it does not fully replace consistent movement throughout the day.
Your body was designed to move often, not just during workouts.
Research continues to show that long periods of sitting can negatively impact health, even in people who exercise regularly. Sitting for hours at a desk, in the car, or on the couch can reduce circulation, decrease calorie expenditure, stiffen joints, and contribute to poor posture and low energy levels. Adding movement throughout the day helps combat many of these issues.
This is where daily movement matters.
Walking the dog, doing yard work, taking the stairs, playing outside with your kids, cleaning the house, going for an evening walk, or simply standing up more often all contribute to your overall activity levels. These small actions add up significantly over time and can improve cardiovascular health, blood sugar regulation, recovery, mood, and overall energy expenditure.
In the fitness world, this is often referred to as NEAT, or Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis. NEAT includes all the calories burned outside of formal workouts. For many people, increasing daily movement can have a larger impact on overall health and weight management than adding another intense cardio session.
Now that the weather is improving, it is the perfect time to take advantage of it.
Instead of automatically hopping on a treadmill indoors, consider getting outside more often. Go for walks after dinner. Take your kids to the park. Do yard work. Hike local trails. Ride a bike. Spend more time moving naturally rather than treating exercise like a punishment.
The goal is not to obsess over step counts or burn yourself out with endless cardio. The goal is to create a lifestyle where movement becomes normal and enjoyable.
Running on a treadmill for 30 minutes and then sitting the other 23.5 hours of the day simply is not enough for optimal health.
Move more often. Get outside. Enjoy the better weather. Your body and mind will thank you for it.
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