Burn 100 Calories - Ways to Light Your Internal Fire

We have talked before about the "Energy Balance Equation" which basically states, to lose weight you must expend more calories than you consume.  In this age of technology, people are much more sedentary because we have all the technology we need at our fingertips.  Kids spend less time outside running around and playing; adults sit in front of their computers/tablets more often throughout the day; families spend less active time together.  If you've been following this blog for a while, you should know that activating your day is important to your overall health and decreases your risk for chronic diseases.  But, other than going to the gym to workout, do you know other ways to burn calories?  Let's take a look at things you can do (from basic exercises to chores around the house) to burn an extra 100 calories.

First let me state this list is an "approximation" of calories burned and it is based on a 150-pound person.  If you weigh more than 150 pounds you will burn more than what's listed below and vice versa.  Here are ways to burn those 100 calories in the gym:

• Biking: 23 minutes of casual cycling
• Elliptical: 8 minutes
• Jumping rope: 9 minutes at a moderate intensity
• Lifting weights, vigorously: 15 minutes
• Running: 9 minutes of running at a 6 mph pace
• Swimming: 15 minutes moderate intensity
• Walking stairs: 11 minutes
• Walking: 20 minutes of walking at a 3 mph pace
• Zumba: 11 minutes

 If you are working around the house, here are some other ideas to burn 100 calories:

• Mowing the lawn: 20 minutes
• Raking leaves: 23 minutes
• Shoveling snow: 15 minutes
• Washing the car: 20 minutes
• Weeding the garden: 18 minutes

Finally, here are a few everyday activities you can add to your day to burn 100 calories:

• Carrying an infant: 24 minutes
• Cleaning, moderate effort: 26 minutes
• Cooking: 34 minutes
• Doing dishes: 40 minutes
• Mopping the floor: 20 minutes
• Playing with children: 23 minutes
• Pushing a stroller: 35 minutes
• Rearranging furniture: 14 minutes
• Shopping: 38 minutes
• Sweeping: 23 minutes
• Walking the dog: 26 minutes

Now you really have "NO EXCUSES" to get active!!  Add a few of these suggestions into your day and help put your energy balance equation back in the right direction.

Activate Your Day!!!