S13 EP19: The 4 Ways Your Body Burns Calories

S13 EP19: The 4 Ways Your Body Burns Calories

From The Thick Thighs Save Lives Podcast by Constantly Varied Gear

March 24, 2026 · 1h 11m · Season 13 · Episode 19

About this episode

This episode explores the complexities of metabolism and the various ways the body burns calories beyond the simple calories-in vs. calories-out equation.

For decades we've been told the formula for fat loss is this: Eat less. Move more. But it’s JUST NOT THAT SIMPLE. In this episode, we bust out the whiteboard and break down what your metabolism actually does all day long and why the classic calories-in vs. calories-out equation misses some of the biggest drivers of energy expenditure. We walk you through the four major ways your body burns calories , including: • Why 70% of your daily energy goes toward basic survival functions • What NEAT (non-exercise activity) is and why it matters • Why different foods cost your body different amounts of energy to digest • Why exercise is amazing for your health… but not the biggest driver of metabolism• Why calorie tracking is often wrong even for experienced coaches If you’ve ever felt like you were doing everything “right” but your progress stalled, this episode will help you understand how metabolism actually works and why your body isn’t broken. 00:00:00 The Fitness Advice That Sounds Right… But Isn’t 00:04:12 Why “Eat Less, Move More” Backfires 00:09:35 The Metabolism Myth Everyone Still Believes 00:15:02 You’re Not Broken—Here’s What’s Actually Happening 00:21:18 The Hidden Cost of…

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