Unconventional Ways to Burn Calories

I recently took a look at what 200 food calories actually look like. It’s not much. Maybe a small handful of nuts or a large apple but it led me to a bigger question: what does it actually take to burn that off? While the average person can burn 200 calories by running for about 20 minutes, let's be honest sometimes we want more enjoyable alternatives. If you're looking for a "midday pondering" moment, here are some unconventional ways to hit that 200-calorie mark.

The Long Game: Patience Required

If you aren't in a rush, you can burn those calories just by living your life. For instance, imagine chewing gum for 18 hours. Since most gum has about 10 calories per piece, if you replace it every hour, you're essentially breaking even. If you prefer a less active approach, watching TV for 2.5 hours will do the trick. If you choose a funny show and spend that time laughing, you could binge-watch four commercial-free sitcoms and hit your goal. Even a midday nap counts. It takes just over 3 hours of sleep to burn those same 200 calories.

The Social Strategy: Movement with a Partner

Lips feeling chapped? You could apply lip balm 1,500 times to burn 200 calories. Or, you could put those glossy lips to better use. Two hours of kissing your significant other will burn that snack off. If you're looking for a more intense session, an hour of vigorous physical intimacy does the trick even faster. Just make sure to spend 45 sessions brushing your teeth first to keep things fresh.

Creative and High-Energy Options

Want to get it over with quickly? Try 15 minutes of intense jump rope. If you’re feeling cheerful, you can belt out your favorite pop song 23 times. If your shower-head is your only audience, that’s fine too. For the more artistic types, you could play "Chopsticks" on the piano for 1.5 hours or channel your creativity and type a 4,800-word short story. If you want to hit the waves, an hour of surfing also works. Not only do you burn the calories, but you get that coveted sun-kissed glow.

The Bottom Line

While 200 calories is a fun benchmark, remember the math of the "shedding season": one pound of fat equals approximately 3,500 calories. Whether you’re singing, sleeping, or surfing, the total amount you burn depends on your size, gender, and body composition. Movement is a requirement, but if you’re tired of guessing and want a real structure to your routine, don't leave your results to chance. Book a consultation with me today, and let’s build a plan that actually gets you to your goals.

Emmanuel Ofori

Strength & Conditioning Coach