Staying fit can seem overwhelming, especially with the abundance of workout programs and gym memberships available. However, Christine Lampard shares an alternative approach that prioritizes simplicity and practicality: NEAT exercise. Standing for Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis, NEAT refers to any spontaneous movement throughout your day, rather than structured workouts. For Christine, this could mean doing household chores, walking her kids to school, or taking her dog for a stroll. This approach helps her remain active without the stress of a strict fitness routine.
In an interview with Woman and Home magazine, she remarked, “I don’t go to the gym, but I’m always moving, and I think that keeps me fit. I was up at 5:45 this morning preparing breakfast, making lunches, and getting the kids ready.”
Adding more movement to her day, Christine noted, “I walked my daughter to school while she rode her scooter and then took the dog out for a walk. I’m active around the house too, which naturally increases my step count without any effort.”
Christine says she stays fit by walking and keeping up with her children.
At 47, the host of Loose Women is a firm believer that a gym membership or structured workouts are not essential for good health. She emphasizes walking—a prime example of NEAT exercise—as a vital part of her daily routine.
In a feature on TikTok for Woman and Home, she elaborated, “I can be quite lazy when it comes to exercise. But I stick to walking. I don’t attend classes or anything like that. I enjoy taking my dog and the kids to the park, regardless of the weather. For me, walking is the ideal exercise; it gets the heart pumping and keeps me fit.”
Why is NEAT Exercise So Effective?
Non-structured activities comprise a substantial portion of your Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE), which refers to the calories you burn throughout the day. NEAT can contribute to about 50% of your TDEE, while structured workouts account for only around 10%. By incorporating more movement into your daily life—like doing household chores, walking instead of driving, using a standing desk, or carrying groceries—you can enhance your calorie burn and overall fitness.
Examples of NEAT Exercise
Here are some additional examples of NEAT activities:
- Walk up the stairs instead of taking the elevator
- Take your dog for a walk
- Carry grocery bags instead of using a cart
- Wash your car
- Fidget while sitting
- Play actively with children or pets
- Use a standing desk
- Walk to nearby places instead of driving
- Engage in gardening
Christine’s philosophy emphasizes consistency rather than intensity. You don’t need a structured workout to achieve your fitness goals; what matters is being active regularly. Studies repeatedly indicate that consistent, moderate activity can yield substantial health benefits—sometimes more so than sporadic, intense workout sessions.
As Women’s Health UK’s fitness director and a qualified Pilates and yoga instructor, Bridie Wilkins has been passionately reporting on exercise, health, and nutrition since the start of her decade-long career in journalism.
After earning a first-class degree in journalism and NCTJ accreditation, she secured her first role at Look Magazine, where she launched the magazine’s health and fitness column, Look Fit, before going on to become Health and Fitness writer at HELLO!
Since then, she has written for Stylist, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, Elle, The Metro, Runner’s World, and Red. Today, she oversees all fitness content across Women’s Health online and in print, spearheading leading cross-platform franchises such as ‘Fit At Any Age,’ showcasing women proving that age is no barrier to exercise.
She has also represented the brand on BBC Radio London and various podcasts, aiming to encourage more women to exercise and show them how. Outside of work, find her trying the latest Pilates studio, testing her VO2 max for fun (thanks to Oura), or posting workouts on Instagram.
