To lose weight and stay in shape, it is important to burn more calories than you consume. Exercise and sports can burn significant calories. The number of calories you burn depends on your weight and physical capabilities, the sport or activity and intensity level.

More than 2/3 of Americans are overweight or obese, according to a January 2010 report in "The Journal of the American Medical Association." Carrying around extra weight increases your risk of developing a chronic illness such as heart disease or diabetes, and increases your risk of early death.

While it would be nice to have the sort of metabolism that lets you eat whatever you want, whenever you want, without gaining a single ounce, most of us aren't that genetically lucky.

People have been chewing “gum” for thousands of years. Ancient Greeks chewed on mastic tree sap, Native Americans in New England chewed on spruce sap and then passed this habit on to European settlers.

Burning 1,200 calories is not as difficult as it may seem. A 100-lb. person can burn more than 300 calories just sleeping, as estimated by Health Status Internet Assessments.

Nutrition and physical activity are the two most important influences on health. It is the balance of nutrients contained in the calories you consume weighed against the calories you burn that specifically impacts your health.

Your goal to burn 700 calories a day will help you lose one pound in five days. One pound of body weight equals 3,500 calories, so increasing your activity level to use calories is one solution on your way to weight loss.

Maybe you've always been a little heavy around your hips and midsection, or you've started putting on weight as you age. Whatever the cause, there's only one surefire way to rein it in -- a healthy lifestyle. This includes a nutritious diet, regular exercise, stress control and adequate sleep.

Protein, carbohydrates and fats are the three macronutrients that make up all foods consist. Many foods are combinations of two or three different macronutrients. Some macronutrients contain more calories per gram than others, and should be used in moderation.

One pound of fat contains 3,500 calories, so losing 20 lbs. means creating an overall deficit of 70,000 calories. While that number may seem intimidating, you can pick away at it gradually through moderate calorie reduction and exercise.

When you participate in a cycling class, you can expect to sweat a lot and move at alternating paces. The amount of calories you burn depends on certain conditions. One thing is for sure, you will feel a nice burn in your buttocks.

Calorie burn during a half-hour running workout will vary greatly depending on your body weight and your pace. If you want to increase your calorie burn during your run without increasing your exercise time, push yourself to run faster or add hills to your workout.