Can fidgeting help you lose weight?

Yes, fidgeting can indeed help with weight loss. Andrew Huberman discusses that fidgeting and other quick, involuntary movements can significantly contribute to weight loss and fat burning. In studies conducted in 2015 and 2017, individuals who engaged in fidgeting behaviors like bouncing a knee, pacing, or quickly standing up and sitting down multiple times throughout the day experienced considerable amounts of fat loss. This was particularly effective in overweight individuals who may be averse to traditional forms of exercise. Implementing a "fidgeting protocol" — deliberately trying to move more during the day in minor, fidgety ways — resulted in up to 20-30% increases in weight loss for some participants, burning between 800 to 2,500 calories a day 1.

Additionally, this kind of physical activity, known as non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT), involves minor movements that are not structured as traditional exercise, but still trigger the release of epinephrine, which helps mobilize fat stores in the body 2.