Food and Exercise: How Fast Can You Burn the Fat?

How long do you have to run, swim, or do yoga to burn off a handful of almonds or a Big Mac? VIEW OUR GALLERY of the surprising time you have to exercise to cancel out snacks and meals.

Forget fad diets. If you want to lose weight, the formula is simple: Eat less and move more. But how much do you really have to move in order to burn off the calories in that donut, steak burrito—or even a single apple? The math might surprise you.

We’ve crunched the numbers to figure out how long you’d have to run (not jog, mind you), swim laps, do hatha yoga, or perform one wildcard activity to compensate for 21 common foods. With one pound equaling a daunting 3,500 calories, every stride or lap helps. And for anyone hoping to fit into those skinny jeans or a snug pair of khakis by the fall, one warning: Step away from Applebee’s Oriental Chicken Salad. Plus, more high-calorie food surprises and shocking exercise equations.

Click the Image Below to View Our Gallery of Exercise-Calorie Equations

Note: The equations in this gallery are estimates, based on the average number of calories a 160-pound person will likely burn in the designated time frame. Factors such as physical exertion, gender, body mass index, and athletic condition—or nutritional content—are not specifically accounted for. And finally, the equations are meant to entertain and inform; readers should consult a physician before embarking on any strenuous exercise regimen.

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