If you exercise for 1 hour a day, the amount of weight you can lose in a week depends on the type of exercise, your calorie intake, and your current weight. Generally, weight loss occurs when you create a calorie deficit, meaning you burn more calories than you consume.
Estimated Weight Loss from 1 Hour of Exercise Daily
- On average, moderate aerobic exercise for 1 hour can burn roughly 300 to 500 calories, depending on intensity and body weight. For example, jogging at 5 mph burns about 511 calories per hour for a 160-lb person
- Since 1 pound of fat equals about 3,500 calories, burning 500 calories daily through exercise could theoretically lead to about 1 pound of weight loss per week (500 calories × 7 days = 3,500 calories)
- Walking 1 hour daily can contribute to weight loss of approximately 0.5 to 2 pounds per week, especially when combined with a calorie-restricted diet
Important Considerations
- Exercise alone may not cause significant weight loss unless paired with a calorie deficit from diet. Cutting 500 calories a day from your diet combined with daily exercise can double weight loss to about 2 pounds per week
- The type of exercise matters: aerobic activities burn more calories, whereas strength training helps preserve muscle mass during weight loss but burns fewer calories per session
- Weight loss rates vary by individual factors such as metabolism, body composition, and exercise intensity
Summary
- Exercising 1 hour daily can burn enough calories to lose about 0.5 to 1 pound per week if diet remains unchanged.
- Combining exercise with a calorie deficit (e.g., eating 500 fewer calories daily) can increase weight loss to around 1 to 2 pounds per week.
- Consistency and a balanced approach including diet and exercise are key for effective weight loss
Thus, if you exercise 1 hour a day, expect to lose roughly 0.5 to 2 pounds per week depending on your calorie intake and exercise intensity.