Parking lots.  We’ve all seen it at one time or another.  Whether it be at the grocery store, the local movie theater, or (gasp!) even the gym  :  drivers looking for the “perfect” parking spot.  Of course by “perfect” I mean the “closest to the entrance requiring the least amount of walking in order to get to the door” parking spot.

If this sounds familiar I want you to remember this acronym : NEAT.  NEAT stands for non- exercise activity thermogenesis, a concept developed by Dr. James Levine of the Mayo Clinic.  To sum it up simply, he found that people who move more in their day to day lives tend to weigh less than people who are sedentary.

As a personal trainer, I often have to remind my clients that what they do outside the gym is just as important as what they do inside the gym.  Working out in the artificial environment that is the gym makes one stronger and better prepared to tackle their real life outside the gym.  When you are strong, healthy, and injury free life just feels better.  Dancing at a wedding, playing with children and grandchildren, and walking the dog all become more enjoyable.

Make it a point to get up and get moving!  Your body will thank you for it.