07/09/2026
Your workout is only one part of how much energy you burn each day.
There’s another piece that often gets overlooked — NEAT: Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis.
NEAT is all the movement you do outside structured exercise — walking around the house, taking the stairs, gardening, shopping, standing, cleaning, carrying things and generally being on your feet.
And it can make a surprisingly big difference.
NEAT varies enormously between people and lifestyles — which helps explain why two people can train similarly but have very different total daily energy expenditure.
It also explains something I see regularly:
You can train hard for 30–45 minutes, but if you spend most of the remaining day sitting, your overall daily movement can still be quite low.
The answer isn't necessarily another workout.
It's finding more opportunities to move.
✅ Take the stairs�✅ Add a daily walk�✅ Stand or pace during phone calls�✅ Get up and move regularly throughout the day�✅ Find an active hobby instead of another hour on the lounge
And after 40, I think this becomes even more important.
Regular daily movement isn't just about burning calories or losing body fat. It supports blood-sugar control, cardiovascular health, mood, physical function and healthy ageing.
And when some of that movement is weight-bearing, it can also contribute to maintaining bone health.
THE TAKEAWAY?
Train with purpose — then keep moving.
Your 30–45 minute workout builds strength and fitness.
What you do with the rest of your day helps build the life you're training for.
👉 Want more simple strategies for women and men over 40 who want to stay strong, capable and independent?
Follow Personal Best 40+ Fitness & Rehab and share this with someone who thinks their workout is the only movement that counts.
