Expert: Brandon Briggs, MS - 8/19/2009

Question
I was just wondering if it could easily be computed (or if it already is) the average number of additional calories a person will burn if they walk 4.5 miles, or 5 miles for the sake of round numbers, each day assuming no other exercising for the day? I am trying to lose weight and have had trouble losing weight while going to the gym once or twice a week when I am able to, but I can walk just about anytime.

Answer
Hello James,

When calculating the number of calories used during walking you need to have a few pieces of information. You need to have your weight and the approximate speed that you are walking. With your speed you have to find what your MET level would be. One formula that can be used is:

MET level x weight in Kg/57. That will give you calories per min burned and then you can multiply that by how many minutes you exercise. There are also a number of resources on the internet that can estimate this information for you. Here is a site that may help

http://health.yahoo.com/other-other/calories-burned/healthwise--calc001.html

Hope this helps,

Brandon