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Jul 17, 2012

Exercise Time Required To Burn Off Your Dessert


Here is a list of some popular food choices and their corresponding 'punishment' time.
*1 piece of chocolate cake with icing (1/8 of cake)
Total Calories: ~250 Total Time Running: 25 minutes
*1 oz of Doritos Chips (note however, most people do not stop with one ounce)
Total Calories: ~140 Total Time Running: 15 minutes
*1/2 cup Ben & Jerry's Ice cream
Total Calories: ~280 Total Time Biking: 38 minutes
*2 Twizzlers licorice
Total Calories: ~150 Total Time Weight Lifting: 25 minutes
* 1 extra large chocolate bar
Total Calories: ~500 Total Time Walking: 1 hour 20 minutes
* 1 slice of Cheesecake
Total Calories: ~ 400 Total Time Running: 40 minutes
* 1 Chocolate brownie
Total Calories: ~350 Total Time Circuit Training: 45 minutes
* 1 Starbucks Venti Starbucks White Chocolate Frappuccino (no whip cream)
Total Calories: ~450 Total Time On The Elliptical: 40 minutes
*1 KFC Double Crunch Sandwich
Total Calories: ~510 Total Time Cleaning The House: 1 hour 35 minutes
So as you can see, what will only take a few minutes to consume, could take a large amount of time to burn off in the gym. If you are currently trying to lose weight, then not only would you have to burn off these excess calories but then also burn enough to create a caloric deficit for that day. Weight loss is accomplished by accumulating a large enough deficit over time with most people aiming to create between 250 and 500 calories per day. While you definitely can go over your calorie budget one day, you must make up for it on another day to compensate. Most of the above treats are so large that it would be hard to further reduce 300-600 calories from your diet the next day without risking nutritional health so it isn't the best of ideas.
If you absolutely must indulge in your favourite treat, try and at least be very strict with yourself in terms of portion control. Don't get into the mindset where you figure since you cheated a little you've entirely blown your diet so you might as well really blow it. That will only set you back even further. Enjoy your small portion and then get right back onto your diet.
*Note: All exercise times will be approximations and are determined using a 130 pound individual