FitSugar

Fitness Myth Busted: Cardio and Extended Calorie Burn

FitSugar — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 02:30:00 PDT

Do you work under the assumption that your aerobic workout boosts your metabolism for hours after you stop working out?
This statement is actually true -- but the calorie burn is probably not nearly as much as you think!

According to coach Eric Harr, author of The Portable Personal Trainer, your metabolism will continue to burn at a slightly higher rate after you finish an aerobic workout. Unfortunately, the amount is not statistically significant. In fact, it allows you to burn only about 20 extra calories for the day. Harr says there is a little bit more of a metabolic boost after strength training, but still he says it is marginal.

Moral of the story: Just because you are working out doesn't mean you can consume all the calories you want.

Source

Calories Burned With 15 Minutes of Exercise: Summer Edition

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 14:29:01 PDT

Summer weather inspires me to exercise outside, even though some days it's super hot and humid. I usually work out early in the morning when temps are the lowest, and if I'm done by 8:30 a.m., I usually beat the heat. Not only do I love not having to wear a lot of clothes, but there are also so many different ways to move your body, you'll never get bored.

With busy Summer schedules and the sometimes unbearable heat and humidity, 15 minutes may be all you can spare (or bear). It may feel like a short time, but some exercise is always better than none at all. Check out how many calories you'll burn in your mini-workout. All stats are based on a 130-pound woman.

Running at a pace of 6 mph (10-minute miles): 148 calories
Walking at a pace of 4 mph (15-minute miles): 59 calories
Biking at a moderate pace of 13 mph: 118 calories
Mountain biking: 126 calories
Stretching/light yoga: 59 calories
Swimming laps at a moderate pace: 118 calories
Snorkeling: 74 calories

Not seeing your favorite Summer activity? Keep reading to find out how many calories you burn in 15 minutes of hiking, tennis, or playing Frisbee.

Learn Your Burn: Calories in Yoga Classes

Heather Dale — Sun, 22 May 2011 09:23:28 PDT

Deciding if a workout is worthwhile shouldn't be based on how many calories you burn; there are other factors to consider, like if you got your heart rate up, improved your balance and strength, or the exercise improves your energy levels. I'm a regular attendee at yoga classes, but it recently dawned on me that I have no clue how many calories I'm burning during yoga class. Because yoga makes me stronger and more flexible, it really doesn't matter how many calories I burn, but out of curiosity, I thought I'd see how my yoga classes stack up in the calorie department thanks to Health Status's calorie calculator.

Here are the results, listed from the lowest to highest calorie burners.

Celebrate Earth Day With These Weekend Calorie Burners

Leta Shy — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 17:09:11 PDT

This weekend get out and enjoy the season! Not only is it the end of National Park Week, but it's also a great time to celebrate Earth Day since you'll likely have more time to devote to outdoor activities.

Since this week is all about getting out, enjoying, and appreciating the outdoors, you know you'll be working out while having fun. Here's how these Earth Day activities stack up in the calorie department!

Gardening. Many cities around the country are planning citizen park cleanups this weekend, so you can enjoy your favorite public space while helping plant trees and picking up trash. All that work can mimic time at the gym - you'll be squatting, weight-lifting, and "rowing" your way to burning an average of 300 calories per hour.
Hiking. With the weather warming up, now's the time to go for a Spring hike to enjoy the fresh, crisp air. It'll help you reconnect with your natural surrounds and may even inspire you to make greener choices and, perhaps best of all, will burn about 355 calories every hour.
Running. Besides park cleanups, Earth Day runs are another organized way to celebrate the environment. Sign up for an Earth Day 5K; jogging at a 12-minute mile pace will burn about 230 calories during the race, while running an 8.5-minute mile will burn about 280 calories.

How will you be going green or celebrating Earth Day this weekend?

Your Run Burned How Many Calories?

Jenny Sugar — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:13:27 PST

Whether you run on a treadmill and glance at the display, or keep track of your run outside with a device, it's nice to know how many calories you're burning, especially if weight loss is one of your goals.

Here's a nifty chart to let you know what your pace and workout time translates to in calories burned. It can also help you figure out how intensely and how long you need to exercise in order to negate the cupcake you savored at lunch.

Do you know how many calories you burn after a moderate 20-minute jog at a pace of 10 minutes per mile? Find out when you after the break.

6 Ways to Burn More Calories in Your Yoga Class

Jenny Sugar — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 03:45:49 PST

Yoga classes aren't meant to be huge calorie-burners - increasing strength and flexibility and acquiring a sense of calmness and bliss, these are more the focus when moving through postures. You still burn calories, though, and with these tips, you can burn more the next time you hop on your mat.

Source: Thinkstock

How Many Extra Calories Incline Really Burns

Jenny Sugar — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 15:00:37 PST

Pumping up the incline on the treadmill not only tones your tush and legs, increases your endurance, and can help you improve your speed, it also burns crazy calories - significantly more than with no incline. Need a little more proof? Check out the chart below for some inspiring numbers.

*All calculations are based on a 130-pound woman.

Pace (minutes per mile)	Calories burned in 30 min at 0% incline	Calories burned in 30 min at 5% incline	Calories burned in 30 min at 10% incline	Calories burned in 30 min at 15% incline
7	391	526	615	708
8	338	464	550	630
9	300	420	482	558
10	270	363	420	482
11	243	326	392	432
12	216	296	362	394

7 Health Benefits of Having Sex

FitSugar — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:16:58 PST

There are only so many hours in the day for getting physical. Skipping the gym for a little romp isn't something you should do every day, but when you do choose getting sweaty in bed over the exercise bike, you're still burning calories. With Valentine's Day just around the corner, check out the health benefits of getting it on.

Thinkstock

Fat-Proof Your Life

Health — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:06:06 PST

We are pumped to share one of our favorite stories from Health.com here on our site.

By Maridel Reyes

It's true that there are certain times in your life when extra poundage seems to appear out of nowhere . . . and settle on you. In fact, experts have honed in on the exact moments when you're most vulnerable to weight gain.

"Life transitions, having a baby, and going through menopause cause many women to pile on pounds," says Susan Albers, PsyD, author of But I Deserve This Chocolate!: The 50 Most Common Diet-Derailing Excuses and How to Outwit Them. "But with planning and prep, you can stay thin."

We asked top experts for their strategies to help you ward off weight creep - and even shed pounds - at these tricky stages. Solutions ahead.

Getting married

Heavier ever after? It can be the flip side of wedded bliss: "Six out of 10 of my clients come back heavier after the honeymoon," says celebrity fitness and wellness guru David Kirsch.

Health.com: 25 Diet-Busting Foods You Should Never Eat

Young newlyweds pack on an extra six to nine pounds in the five years after getting hitched compared to singletons, according to research from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. And most of that gain happens in the first year of marriage.

"Couples start to mirror each other's eating habits," explains Albers. "You might be matching him calorie for calorie without realizing it."

Learn how to keep the pounds down postmarriage and in the mommy years, after the break.

No-Sweat Ways to Burn 100 Calories in 30 Minutes

Leta Shy — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 02:05:33 PST

Sometimes you just don't want to sweat. Or you're so exhausted from the week's workouts that you can't give it your all. You can still burn a decent number of calories with some low-impact activities. Here are a number of no-sweat ways to burn 100 calories in 30 minutes.

Walking: Stretch your limbs and breathe some fresh air without the hard impact that comes from running. Walking at a leisurely pace (about three miles per hour) will burn 103 calories in 30 minutes.
Pilates: Pilates can definitely make you sweat (staying in Plank position isn't exactly easy), but it's a good option if you aren't in the mood for a heart-pounding workout. A 30-minute beginner Pilates class will help you burn 109 calories.

Read on for two more low-intensity workout ideas.