The doctor revealed: how many calories are burned lying on the couch

Even a day spent at home on a laptop or on the couch does not mean a complete absence of energy expenditure. The body continues to burn calories to maintain vital processes, including the functioning of internal organs and maintaining body temperature.

As reported by TUT.AZ with reference to "Gazeta.Ru," neurogastroenterologist Andrey Simakov revealed a curious detail: a significant portion of energy goes specifically toward maintaining body temperature. Humans are warm-blooded organisms, which means metabolism never stops for a single minute, even in the complete absence of physical activity.

At the same time, the widespread belief that the body automatically begins to burn significantly more calories in winter turned out to be not entirely accurate. A noticeable spike in energy expenditure occurs only when a person is actually freezing — for example, spending extended periods in the cold or living in a poorly heated space.

As the specialist explained, basal energy expenditure is calculated based on sex, age, and body weight. In youth, it is generally somewhat higher; however, after the age of 30, metabolism begins to gradually slow down. A more noticeable decline, according to the doctor, typically occurs after the age of 60.

For illustration, Simakov provided specific figures: a man weighing approximately 80 kg, even in a state of complete rest, expends around 1,700–1,800 kcal per day. For a woman weighing approximately 55 kg, this figure is roughly 1,300–1,400 kcal. Any physical activity adds extra calories spent on movement to the basal expenditure.

Body weight also directly affects the amount of energy expended. The higher the weight, the more calories the body requires even without any exertion. For instance, a man weighing approximately 140 kg can expend around 2,600–2,700 kcal per day while at rest.

Thus, the absence of workouts or walks does not at all mean that the body stops expending energy. However, movement, physical work, and regular exercise can significantly increase the total daily calorie expenditure.