Exercise and Calories

On this website, we have discussed calories and provided a link to a website that discusses the amount of calories you need each day based on your age and activity level.  Below you will find a list of activities and exercises with the number of calories used by your body when you do that activity for one hour.  In this way, you can get an idea of how many calories you use in a day.  If you add an hour of one of the exercises to your daily routine and keep your calorie intake (through your diet) the same, you will burn extra calories.  If you are overweight or obese, this is one way you can lose weight and become healthier.  Always remember that it can be dangerous to lose too much weight and be underweight.  You should also review the sections on this website about eating disorders so that you can be aware of when you or a friend might be developing a problem.

 

Activity/Exercise                    Calories Used per Hour

Sleeping                                             55

Sewing                                               85

Standing                                            100

Driving                                             110

Housework                                       160

Golf (using cart)                               180

Golf (walking)                                  240

Gardening                                         350

Walking (3 miles/hr)                        280

Tennis                                               350+

Aerobics                                           450+

Bicycling (moderate speed)             450+

Jogging (5 miles/hr)                         500

Swimming (active)                           500+

Cross Country Skiing Machine        500+

Hiking                                              500+

Power Walking                                600+

Running                                           700+

 

Information taken from Weight Loss and Maintenance (Informational Handout) by Patti Jo Marcum MD.