Calorie Burning Facts

The number of calories burned during a day depends on various factors. Some factors we can control like exercising more or working harder, others we have less control over like the metabolism and which fuel cells use for energy . However, it's quite possible to control the latter two factors!

Think about the calories burned with the following facts:

1. The faster we move the more calories burned
2. The more effort we put into a movement the more calories we burn
3. A heavier person will experience greater calorie burning than lighter individuals during movement - more effort to move extra weight
4. The more muscle / lean weight we possess the more calories burned even at rest - more cell mass to maintain!
5. Increasing fitness levels increases amount of fat calories burned during most movements

These first 4 facts are related somewhat.

In the first two facts more calories are burned because moving faster requires more effort and more effort always requires more energy. Think about when you tried to win that sprint race at school, whether you were in front or behind the competition you were constantly trying to go faster. Forcing muscles to work harder requires more cells to contract!

Lets briefly continue on cell contraction a little just to explain something really important about calories used during exercise. When lifting something like a drink, the glass is light and most people accomplish this task easily, but we control that lift by subconsciously recruiting only a small number of bicep muscle cells to contract, if all cells were recruited the glass would probably end up in our face! - the point is:

less contracting cells = less calories burned

more contracting muscle cells = more calories burned during exercise

Safely Burn Calories!!

Please do not just go out and start running as fast as you can or lifting as much weight as possible in order to increase the calories you burn. It must be done sensibly to be effective. Anaerobic exercise can work wonders if done properly. Tom Venuto has taught thousands worldwide how to use the effects of anaerobic exercise to burn calories!