Feel the 100 Calorie Burn!

You see 100-calorie snacks popping up everywhere you go, and at some point in your life you've probably purchased some form of them and realized that 100 calories is not exactly satisfying. So you eat two or three servings and instantly regret it. What a waste! With all the talk about calorie restriction it seems to me we've got it backward - why not be more active and eat more nutritiously instead? That's the billion-dollar question the fad-diet industry probably doesn't want answered. So...

Here are more productive ideas on how to burn and/or cut out 100 calories without depriving yourself!

Burn It Out...

• Buy a pedometer and walk an extra 2,000 steps, roughly equivalent to 1 mile and 200 calories.
  
• Walk the dog for an extra 20 minutes.
  
• Jog for 10 minutes.
  
• Do 30 extra minutes of housekeeping (the keyword is 'extra' - because your body is likely used to the amount you already do weekly).
  
• Pull weeds in the garden for 20 minutes.
  
• Pedal an exercise bike for 13 minutes.
  
• Climb up and down stairs for 18 minutes.
  
• Jump rope for 15 minutes.
  
• Swim for 15 minutes.
  
• Dance for 20 minutes.
  
• Wash the car.
  
• Work out in your living room with an exercise video for 15 minutes.
  
• Golfers, carry your clubs for 15 minutes.
  
• Play a fitness or dance game on the Wii for 45 minutes (Personal faves are Just Dance and the Biggest Loser workout).
  

Cut It Out...

• Ditch the mayo (seriously!) - instead spread mustard or try red vinegar and oil.
  
• Opt for fresh fruit with your lunch instead of chips or cookies.
  
• Stop with the soda obsession already! Even if it's diet, you're not giving your body anything useful.
  
• Choose sherbet, sorbet or low-fat ice cream over the super-premium variety.
  
• Opt for red sauces instead of creamy ones.
  
• Skip the blue cheese topping on your salad.
  
• Use water-packed tuna instead of oil-packed.
  
• Eat dark chocolate (60% or more) instead of milk chocolate - a little bit of dark chocolate goes a long way and it's so rich in cocoa content that your sweet tooth gets satisfied quicker.
  
• Order your pizza with veggies instead of high-fat meat toppings.
  
• Eat an appetizer as your main meal instead of an entrée (within reason - stay away from the Bloomin' Onions and anything fried, of course).
  
• Skip the extra butter shot on your movie theater popcorn - it has enough already. I promise.
  
• Order your sandwich on whole-grain bread instead of a croissant or bagel.
  
• Leave 3 to 4 bites of food on your plate (in other words eat until you're satisfied, not miserable).
  
• Try an open-faced sandwich (one slice versus two).
  
• Leave the cheese off your sandwich or burger.
  
• Switch to low-fat salad dressing instead of regular. Learn to love vinegar and oil-based dressings.
  
• Use only half the amount of salad dressing when it's given to you on the side. It really does go a long way.
  
• Eat 2 slices of whole-grain bread instead of a bagel.
  
• Have a side salad instead of french fries. You can't tell me McDonald's doesn't have healthier options anymore!
  

Meet the
Trainer

Crystal is a certified personal trainer through the National Sports and Conditioning Association (NSCA). She has a passion for helping others live a healthy lifestyle and
coaching them to push their limits beyond what they think they
are capable of.