How Parents Can Turn Everyday Life Into a Workout with “NEAT”
Fall is here, and with it comes the back-to-school shuffle—packing lunches, rushing through drop-offs, juggling after-school activities, and trying to squeeze in everything else before the sun sets earlier each day. 🍁
We get it—staying on top of health and fitness goals feels nearly impossible some days. Between keeping tiny humans alive, feeding everyone (again), and maybe remembering to drink some water, your own workouts can slip to the bottom of the list. And now that we’re all getting back into the rhythm of school and the busy fall season, it can feel like there’s zero space left for you.
But here’s the good news: you don’t need hours in the gym to stay active. You’re already moving more than you think thanks to NEAT.
What Is NEAT?
NEAT stands for Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis—aka all the calories you burn from movement that isn’t “formal” exercise.
Think:
Walking your kids to the bus stop 🍂
Carrying backpacks, lunchboxes, and sports gear like a superhero
Doing yardwork (yes, raking leaves counts!)
Grocery runs for endless snacks
Dancing around the kitchen while a pumpkin pie is in the oven 🎃
These everyday movements might not feel like exercise, but they add up in a big way. For busy parents, NEAT is a powerful way to sneak in fitness without having to overhaul your schedule.
Why NEAT Matters for Parents
When you’re juggling kids and responsibilities, it’s easy to feel like you’re “failing” at fitness. But the truth is, your daily chaos is already a training ground. Those squats you do while picking up toys? That’s strength training. The stroller push up a hill on the way to school? That’s cardio. Hauling in bags of apples after a family orchard trip? That’s functional fitness at its finest.
By reframing daily activities as part of your health journey, you stop discounting the movement you’re already doing—and that shift can keep you motivated and consistent all season long.
5 Simple Fall-Friendly Ways Parents Can Boost NEAT
🍎 Turn chores into reps.
Squat instead of bending when picking up toys or laundry. Rake leaves with big, sweeping movements. Add calf raises while stirring soup.
🍂 Make school runs active.
If possible, walk or bike to school with your kids. If you drive, park a little farther from the entrance to add steps to your day.
🎃 Play like a kid.
Join in during pumpkin patch visits, hayrides, or backyard leaf piles. Running, jumping, and climbing keeps you moving and creates family memories.
☕ Make waiting active.
Do standing stretches while waiting for pick-up at after-school activities. March in place while your coffee brews on those chilly mornings.
💃 Dance it out.
Host a family dance party while making dinner or cleaning up. Bonus points for spooky playlists in October!
Ready to Level Up?
NEAT is amazing for sneaking in movement, but pairing it with intentional workouts helps you build strength, resilience, and energy that lasts through the busy school year and holiday season. That’s where we come in. We’ll help you turn all that daily movement—carrying kids, lifting groceries, chasing toddlers—into functional strength that supports your real life. Think workouts designed to make climbing stairs easier, hauling laundry less tiring, and running after your little one feel like a breeze.
👉 Try a 30-minute personal training session with us—designed specifically for busy parents. We’ll help you build on your daily wins, stay consistent, and feel strong in both body and mind.
Because as a Superparent, you’re already doing the impossible every day. Now it’s time to do it with more strength, energy, and joy. 💪🦸
✨ Book your free consultation here.
Stay Awesome,
❤️ Wonder Nat, Super Siobhan & Claudeman — aka Team Awesome
Co-Founders of Make Me Awesome | Parents of Many | Sanity-Savers & Chaos Wranglers | Rhythm-Finders & Energy-Injectors