The Department of Health and Human Services describes a calorie as "the amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of a liter of water one degree." In everyday terms, people who are calorie-conscious think of these units of energy as something they need to burn more of than consume. The number of calories burned is based on the intensity of the exercise or activity. The advice from MayoClinic.com is to perform a half hour to an hour of moderately intense exercise most days.
Aerobics
One of the best exercise programs to work the heart and burn calories is one that incorporates aerobic activity. An hour of high impact aerobics burns approximately 511 calories in a person who weighs 160 pounds. An hour of low impact aerobics burns 365, and an hour of water aerobics burns 292. Those who weigh more will burn more calories.
Bicycling
Going for an hourlong leisurely ride on a bicycle at 10 miles per hour or slightly less will burn 292 calories in a person weighing 160 pounds, 364 calories in a 200-pound person and 436 in someone who weighs 240 pounds.
Ballroom Dancing
Find a partner, crank up the music and have fun burning calories. An hour of ballroom dancing burns approximately 219 calories in a 160-pound person, 273 if you're 200 pounds and 327 in those who weigh in at 240.
Running or Jogging
Joggers who run approximately 5 miles per hour will burn around 584 calories per hour if they weigh 160. Those who weigh 200 pounds will burn about 728 calories, and a 240-pound person will burn 872 calories. All of these numbers are based on an hour of jogging.
Swimming
Swimming laps for an hour will burn approximately 511 calories in a 160-pound person. For the 200-pound person, 637 calories will be used, and 763 calories are burned in the person weighing 240 pounds.
Tai Chi
Tai chi is considered an exercise, a sport and an art with controlled precision movements. One hour of tai chi for a 160-pound person will burn approximately 292 calories. A 200-pound person uses 364 calories, and a 240-pound person uses 436 calories.
Walking
Walking is one of the easiest and best exercises to stay healthy and burn calories. It can be done by most people, almost anywhere. For the casual stroller at 2 miles per hour, a 160-pound person will burn 183 calories, someone who weighs 200 pounds will burn 228 calories, and a 240-pound person will burn 273. Speed up to 3.5 miles per hour and the 160-pound person will burn 277 calories, the 200-pound person will burn 346 calories and the 240-pound person will use up 414 calories. All of these numbers are for an hour of walking.
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