Fitness & exerciseWeight loss

6 effortless ways to burn 500 extra calories right now

They don't all require a trip to the gym.


LearnFitness6 effortless ways to burn 500 extra calories right now
Opt for a morning workout
Move more at home
Make the extra trip
Push yourself
Don’t sit so much
Take the longest route

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We all have our routines, and for some, that doesn’t include an hour or two on the treadmill each day. And that’s OK. A few simple switches and extra steps can help you shed unwanted weight at home, at the office, in the gym and even while you're running errands.

The old rule of thumb: to lose one pound of fat, you must burn about 3,500 calories. That’s 500 calories each day over the course of a week. Keep in mind, based on weight and the rate of a person’s metabolism, our bodies burn calories at varying rates. Your healthcare provider can help determine the right amount of exercise for you.

Get your body moving, your heart rate up and the number on the scale down with these smart activities.

Written by Taylor Lupo.
Medically reviewed by Mark Arredondo, MD.September, 2025
Updated onAugust, 2026
Written by Taylor Lupo.
Medically reviewed by Mark Arredondo, MD.September, 2025
Updated onAugust, 2026
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