Exercise and Diet

Can I eat more if I exercise more?

Answer:

To some extent it is correct to eat a little more when one exercises. However, for most people the body's basic use of energy makes the greatest demands and the difference between this and the amount needed for exercise is small. Example for a person weighing 73 kg or 160 lbs:

Normal burning while sleeping or sitting	1900 kcal/day
Walking a pram with a child	200 kcal/hour
Walking, rapidly	340 kcal/hour
Walking, upstairs	600 kcal/hour
Intensive gymnastics	750 kcal/hour
Running, skiing, bicycling	500-1000 kcal/hour, depends on speed
Swimming leisurely	400 kcal/hour
Climbing up a mountain	800 kcal/hour
Rowing at moderate speed	600 kcal/hour
Caring for a child	200 kcal/hour
Housecleaning, rapid	300 kcal/hour
Housecleaning, slowly	200 kcal/hour
Gardening	350 kcal/hour

Exercise, however, is healthy in other ways than burning calories. Exercise changes your body so that you will easier adjust your eating to your nutrient need.

More information

More about exercise How many calories do you need per day? More about exercise and energy consumption Excessive exercise More articles about dieting and weight loss More articles about eating disorders

Pages of interest from other web sites

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Longer list and computation tool Another more complete table

Sources, references

This page abstract: You have to exercise a long time, or very intensively, if you want to get a marked increase in energy consumption, compared to sitting still.

Exercise and Diet

Can I eat more if I exercise more?