Going to the gym is not the only answer to the question, how to burn 100 calories fast. In fact, there are dozens of ways to burn calories, even more than 100 calories daily! Aside from being easy to perform, the best part about these calorie-burning habits is they are fun – making them your daily habit is not impossible.
For the record, going to the gym is effective in burning those fats and achieving that physically fit shape. But for all those who think a routine workout is never achievable, better try these fun alternatives in burning calories below:
#1 Chew gum
Chewing gum does not only freshen your breath and help fight boredom. Do you know it is also good in burning calories? Remember that even the simple act of chewing needs energy. As cited by Fox News, chewing gum for an hour burns 11 calories. If you do the math, then that would mean 110 calories in 10 hours.
Gum-chewing is also believed to decrease a person’s appetite and at the same time, increase his/her metabolism. However, there’s a catch! Do not indulge on flavoured gums; instead, choose sugarless ones. There are many sugar-free gums in grocery stores. Some are even approved by the American Dental Association and have the ADA Seal of Acceptance. In addition to burning calories, products like these help fight tooth decay when chewed for 20 minutes after meals.
#2 Make brisk walking a habit
Gunnar Peterson, Jennifer Lopez’s trainer in Los Angeles said, “Walk like you are late for a meeting.” This is called brisk walking, or moving faster than walking but slower than jogging. Beginners can walk for 10 to 20 minutes every other day. On the other hand, people who are already used to brisk walking can do this exercise for half an hour during Saturdays and one hour on Sundays. Walking around the mall (also called mallercise) for 40 minutes is another fun way to burn 100 calories. Nonetheless, if you want to burn more calories fast, then climb steep slopes for 30 minutes three to four days a week.
#3 Drink coffee
Coffee, a drink of many benefits, is good in burning calories. We all know coffee contains caffeine, and caffeine increases metabolism. According to studies, caffeine can increase the metabolic rate by up to 11%.
Green and black tea is also a good alternative for coffee because they, too, contain a considerable amount of caffeine. “250 milligrams of caffeine consumed with a meal can increase the calories spent metabolizing the meal by 10%,” according to an article.
Caffeinated drinks are undeniably helpful in burning 100 or more calories fast. However, what is the safe and recommended amount of caffeine to be consumed daily? As suggested by TeensHealth, teenagers should only consume 100 milligrams of caffeine daily while adults can consume up to 300 milligrams of caffeine each day. An eight ounce cup of brewed coffee has up to 135 milligrams of caffeine.
#4 Indulge in sports
Indulging in sports is not only for people who are athletic; it is also for individuals who want to learn how to burn 100 calories fast. Playing racquetball or swimming burns 100 calories in 10 minutes. Playing basketball, volleyball and tennis for 20 minutes also burns 100 calories while it takes half an hour playing Frisbee or bowling to burn the same amount of calories.
- Swimming: Make use of that huge swimming pool in the front yard! If swimming for 10 minutes can burn 100 calories, then that means burning 600 calories in an hour. Surprisingly amazing!
- Racquetball: This racquet sport is similar to badminton and tennis but does not have a net to hit the ball over. Racquetball requires agility and speed, making it an ideal cardiovascular workout / sport that can be performed indoors. A 180-pound person can burn 100 calories if he or she plays casual racquetball for 10 minutes. Interested in playing this sport? Determine your weight (in pounds) and check how much calorie you can burn here.
#5 Do the household chores
Sweeping, cleaning the house, mopping the floor, mowing the lawn, weeding the garden, and raking leaves for only 20 minutes can already help you burn 100 calories. If you have an infant, then carrying him/her or pushing his/her stroller for half an hour also burns 100 calories. If you are a dog owner, then walking with your pet for 25 minutes helps you burn the same amount of calories. Imagine how much calories that would be if you make it a habit to walk your dog daily!
How about cooking? Approximately, you will need 30 to 45 minutes preparing two to three simple dishes. This includes washing and slicing the ingredients. For this household chore, you can burn as many calories as with the other tasks mentioned above.
#6 Workout
Working out and going to the gym are undeniably old school yet these methods ‘still and will always’ work! If you decide to workout at the comfort of your home, it’s fine. Just do not forget to warm up to avoid stressing your muscles and prevent injuries. A jumping rope is a good calorie-burner you can use at home. It fits in your pouch and it only costs $10 or less. This article tells us how to correctly jump on the rope and avoid harm. How to burn 100 calories fast using a jumping rope? If you are 175 pounds (79 kilos), then jump on the rope for eight minutes and you will burn 111 calories.
On the other hand, if you prefer to go to the gym because you think working out with a trainer is more effective, then try weight lifting. Novice ones should lift weights moderately while long-term gym goers can do it vigorously. Vigorous weight lifting for 15 to 20 minutes can burn 100 calories.
Pilates is another workout that would help you burn calories fast. You can do this at home, although it is more fun when you do it at the gym with friends. According to a Pilates expert who wrote the article “Measuring How Many Calories Pilates Burns”, a 120-pound person can burn approximately 191 calories per hour; a 130-lb. person can burn 206 calories per hour; and a 150-lb. person can burn around 238 calories per hour when doing mat Pilates at a beginner level.
#7 The power of Yoga and Zumba
Yoga and Zumba have been around for years now. And through the years, both have proven their indispensable worth when it comes to giving individuals a better physique and promoting health.
How to burn 100 calories fast with Yoga? Doing Yoga for only 20 minutes can already burn 101 calories, says an article. For beginners, here are few steps to follow to properly start Yoga:
- Using a Yoga mat, lie on your back and relax. Inhale and exhale deeply and try to concentrate.
- Outstretch and raise your legs alternatively.
- Next, raise your butt and legs as high as you can.
- Go back to your starting position and twist your spine.
- Turn to a prone position and do the second step.
- Then, sit cross-legged with the back straight, chest out and stomach in.
- Relax completely.
As you go on with your Yoga sessions, you will come across more complex poses and moves. The good news is, the more intense these poses and moves are, the more calories you will burn.
Another fun calorie-burner is Zumba. Zumba is not just a mere dancing exercise but a powerful workout to burn calories. In half an hour, a 100-pound person can burn 179 calories. However, remember that the total number of calories burned when doing Zumba depends upon the exact weight of an individual, his/her muscle content and fitness level, and the intensity of the dance moves.
#8 Laugh!
Out of the eight ways on how to burn 100 calories fast listed in this article, to laugh is the easiest to do and the most fun of all. According to a research conducted by Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 10 to 40 calories are burned when a person laughs for 10 to 15 minutes a day. This could mean losing four pounds in one year.
Remember that the number of calories a person burns while performing exercises and workout routines depends on his/her weight, the kind of exercise, and the duration of the exercise. If you want to burn more calories, opt for more strenuous activities. For instance, rather than brisk walking for 20 minutes, you can jog or run for 30 minutes a day. Furthermore, rather than using the elevator, take the stairs.
Aside from the eight ways above, there are actually more ways on how to burn 100 calories fast. So, stop making excuses and get off that couch you are currently sitting at. Doing household chores + exercise + laughing: this is probably the best equation for burning more calories fast!