Lose Weight Burn Calories by Fidgeting

Did you know fidgeting can help you burn calories and lose weight. Scientist actually have a name for fidgeting. In scientific terms it is called "non-exercise activity thermogenesis." It is abbreviated as NEAT. A study done at the Mayo Clinic concluded that people who fidget can actually burn up to 350 calories more a day than someone who is stationary. Fidgeting is not a replacement for exercise. Just by fidgeting alone you are not going to get the same benefits as an aerobic workout, nor are you going to build muscle mass like you would from lifting weights. Fidgeting does though burn extra calories, which in turn can help you lose weight.

It has been shown that people with higher metabolisms fidget more than those with low metabolisms. I have noticed that my friends who seem to never gain weight, no matter what they eat, do fidget quite a bit. They are people who stand a lot, bounce their knee constantly and some are even those annoying finger tappers. An interesting fact found by the Mayo clinic is that your NEAT or fidgeting "appears to be "fixed." Obese people with low fidgeting or NEAT "doesn't reflect a lack of motivation." "It most likely reflects a brain chemical difference because our study shows that even when obese people lose weight they remain seated the same number of minutes per day," says Dr. Levine. "They don't stand or walk more. And conversely, when lean people artificially gain weight, they don't sit more. So the NEAT appears to be fixed."

More Interesting Facts

Did you know just standing burns up to 20 calories an hour? Even tapping your toes can burn up to 9 calories an hour. You can even chew 6 pieces of gum and burn 11 calories an hour.

I Did Fidget and Lost Weight

As a teenager I lost a lot of weight. I actually did incorporate fidgeting into my daily routine. I would walk in place while I blew dry my hair. I would actually do the same thing when I did dishes. There are a number of ways you too can add some fidgeting to your daily routine.

Fidgeting Ideas

Bounce your leg while you sit.

Hold a pencil and tap it on a desk, if your sitting at one.

Tap your pencil or fingers when your sitting at a desk.

Play air guitar with your kids.

Throw a ball in the air and catch.

So the next time your just sitting on your couch get up and stand for awhile. Tap your toes and fingers too. Make your mind up to spend some time fidgeting. Encourage yourself to move around more. You might be surprised with the results.

Sources: http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/HealthyWoman/popup?id=790241

http://www.mayoclinic.org/feature-articles/fidget-low-metabolism.html