Lifting weights at the gym, intense HIIT sessions, and long jogs are all great ways to burn calories. However, regular daily activities can also help you burn calories, without even trying! A hundred calories may not sound like a lot, but burning a few calories a day is better than burning none at all.
Also, did you know that burning 100 calories doesn’t always have to end in drowning? Here are some quick, easy, and effortless ways to burn an extra 100 calories if you have a couple of minutes to spare.
1. Take a walk around the block
Walking is a simple and completely free way to exercise. Also, it doesn’t result in serious sweating, but it still burns calories effectively. The Footpath Route Planner is an excellent tool if you’re going for a quick walk around the block but still want to plan your adventure on foot.
Just use your finger to draw the route you plan to take, and the app will automatically link it to the nearest roads. Once you complete your route, you can edit it, save it for later, or start walking right away. Even better, the app ensures you always stay on track with turn-by-turn audio guidance.
Discharge: Trail route planner for iOS | Android (Free, subscription available)
2. Run up and down the stairs
Whether you’re at the mall, at home, or at work, there are bound to be some stairs nearby. And while running up and down the stairs is sure to make you gasp, you only need to run for a few minutes to burn 100 calories.
Use the Walk Tracker pedometer mobile app to set a custom step goal, then track your steps in real time. You can then view calories burned to see how many steps it takes to burn 100 calories. Additionally, the app features a water drink reminder, performance reports, and multiple unlockable levels and achievements.
Discharge: walk tracker for Android (Free, subscription available)
3. Do some chores outside
Chores are an efficient way to do two things at once: burn calories and get things done. Also, you can complete your tasks outdoors while enjoying the sun at the same time. The Sweepy home cleaning app helps you keep your indoor and outdoor spaces clean and organized.
Use the app to easily add new rooms, specify tasks for each room, and then clean. Sweepy lets you add tons of outdoor chores to your garage, yard, and home. Some chores include sweeping the porch, mowing the lawn, and watering the plants. You also have the option to create your own custom tasks if you prefer.
Discharge: swept by iOS | Android (Free, subscription available)
4. Take a casual bike ride
If you’re not interested in taking a ride around the block, why not grab your bike and go for a casual bike ride? Cycling is a stress-free and fun activity that helps you burn calories and breathe fresh air. Cyclers is a must have app for cyclists as it makes planning the perfect bike ride a breeze.
Whether you’re doing a circular ride or a simple route from A to B, the Cyclers app provides detailed information on any potential traffic, surfaces and grades. Plus, if you upgrade to Cyclers Plus, you can use convenient voice navigation while you ride.
Discharge: cyclers for iOS | Android (Free, subscription available)
5. Cook up a storm for dinner
It may seem silly to think that preparing dinner can help you burn 100 calories. But cooking a home-cooked dinner in the kitchen can burn calories. After all, she does a lot of home cooking, like prepping and cleaning.
For budget-friendly recipe inspiration, download the Budget Bytes mobile app and get ready to cook up a storm. With extensive search, weekly meal plans, a grocery checklist, and step-by-step cooking instructions, it’s no surprise that Budget Bytes is one of the best recipe apps for small budgets. Plus, you can even use the mobile app to create and share your own personal recipes.
Discharge: Budget bytes for iOS | Android (Free)
6. Take care of household chores
Just like doing chores outdoors, indoor chores can easily burn 100 calories too. In fact, according to a PubMed studyEven a task like vacuuming is physically demanding. S’moresUp is an easy-to-use app to stay on top of chores with a customizable management system.
The system is easy to master: just add the tasks that need to be done, assign them, and then schedule them. This app works especially well for families with children, as the more tasks you complete, the more S’mores you can earn. Earnings can be redeemed for real money or in-app rewards!
Discharge: S’moresA for iOS | Android (Free, subscription available)
7. Dance to your favorite songs
Just because you’re trying to burn calories doesn’t mean you can’t have fun. Dancing can have both physical and mental health benefits, and you don’t have to be a professional to benefit from it. It’s as easy as picking up your phone or turning on your TV and playing your favorite song on YouTube Music.
YouTube Music has an extensive library of over 70 million songs. Songs are sorted by artist, genre, new releases, charts, and moods. The app even creates custom mixes just for you based on what you usually enjoy listening to. Plus, you can download your favorite songs for later or add them to a personal playlist.
Discharge: YouTube music for iOS | Android (Free, subscription available)
8. Jump rope for a few minutes
A study found in the Journal of Physical Therapy Science says that jumping rope exercise can improve your cardiovascular fitness. Plus, it’s a basic yet fun way to burn 100 calories from the comfort of your home. Randomly jumping rope for a couple of minutes is great, but if you want to add more structure to your sessions, use the Jump Rope Workout app.
This training app creates a plan specifically for you based on your fitness level, goals, and personal information. Along with your personalized plan, the app features different programs and jump rope challenges. The Jump Rope Workout app even has voice prompts and notifications to let you know when you need to move on to the next exercise or take a break.
Discharge: Jump rope training for iOS | Android (Free in-app purchases available)
Get your heart rate up and burn 100 calories without even trying
Often, you may not have time to go to the gym or even a full workout session at home. But even if you only have a few spare minutes in your busy day, you still have enough time to burn 100 calories.
From cooking a delicious dinner to moving and dancing to your favorite songs, there are so many amazing and easy ways to burn calories. So use your imagination and you can pull off a calorie burning session without even trying.