If sticking to a workout routine has been on your to-do list forever, it may be time to invest in an activity tracker! (Like this sleek-looking Fitbit.) Getting regular exercise—like walking—can prevent and even reverse health conditions like Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Wearing a tracker to count your steps can also be a great reminder to get up and move throughout the day.
The best part about having an activity tracker is that it shows you how many steps you have taken that day, plus the distance you’ve traveled and the calories you burned.
Being able to see how many calories you burn throughout the day can help you stay mindful of the calories you’re taking in, too. Many of us don’t realize just how many steps are needed to burn off our favorite treats! Even a small treat like a Kit Kat Bar can require over 6,000 steps to burn off, so you may want to know your numbers before ripping open that wrapper…
| 3 Musketeers | 212 calories, 6,625 steps |
|---|---|
| 100 Grand Bar | 200.5 calories, 6,266 steps |
| Almond Joy | 232 calories, 7,250 steps |
| Baby Ruth | 288.5 calories, 9,016 steps |
| Butterfinger | 216 calories, 6,750 steps |
| Cadbury’s Carmello | 220 calories, 6,875 steps |
| Kit Kat | 220.5 calories, 6,891 steps |
| Milky Way | 228.5 calories, 7,141 steps |
| Nestle Crunch | 229.5 calories, 7,172 steps |
| Oh Henry | 245.5 calories, 7,672 steps |
| Reeses Peanut Butter Cups | 222 cups, 6,938 steps |
| Snickers | 273 calories, 8,531 steps |
| Twix, Caramel | 284.5 calories, 8,891 steps |
| Twix, Peanut Butter | 307.5 calories, 9,609 steps |
| Whatchamacallit | 256.5 calories, 8,016 steps |
| York Peppermint Patty | 149 calories, 4,656 steps |
| Krackel | 236 calories, 7,375 steps |
| 5th Avenue Bar | 269.9 calories, 8,434 steps |
| Hershey’s Pot of Gold Almond Bar | 450 calories, 14,063 steps |
| Milky Way Midnight Bar | 221.5 calories, 6,922 steps |
| Rolos | 233 calories, 7,281 steps |
| Mars Almond Bar | 233.5 calories, 7,297 steps |
| M&Ms, Plain | 236 calories, 7,375 steps |
| M&Ms, Peanut | 242.5 calories, 7,578 steps |
Not up for adding 7,000 steps per day just for one candy bar? Try starting with a short walk in the morning, and you may find you don’t even want that Snickers in the first place! Studies show that a quick 15-minute walk can cut your craving for sweets like candy bars.
Simply walking more has been linked to improved weight control, lowered risk for high blood pressure and diabetes, stronger immune system, improved balance, stronger bones and improved mood. For those days when the candy bar feels worth it, treat yourself with decadent candy bar cheesecake brownies or Butterfinger cookie bars. Then lace up those sneakers and get to work!
These healthy desserts will hit the spot!
Ginger Plum Tart
Sweet cravings, begone: This free-form plum tart is done in only 35 minutes. Plus, it's extra-awesome when served warm. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Healthy Apple Crisp
This easy dish is a tradition in my family. It's as quick as a boxed cake mix but it's a healthier dessert choice. It's ideal in fall when it seems that everyone has a bag or two of fresh apples to give away! —Terri Wetzel, Roseburg, Oregon
Frozen Berry & Yogurt Swirls
I enjoy these frozen yogurt pops because they double as a healthy snack and a cool, creamy sweet treat. —Colleen Ludovice, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
Apple-Spice Angel Food Cake
I dressed up an angel food cake mix with some nuts, spice and applesauce to make an easy and light dessert. I serve it with a dollop of whipped topping mixed with a half cup of sour cream. —Joan Buehnerkemper, Teutopolis, Illinois
Root Beer Float Pie
This is the kind of recipe your kids will look back on and always remember. And the only appliance you need is the refrigerator. —Cindy Reams, Philipsburg, Pennsylvania
Carrot Cookie Bites
This recipe is a longtime family favorite. The cookies are soft and delicious, and the aroma while baking…absolutely irresistible! I'm always being asked for the recipe. —Jeanie Petrik, Greensburg, Kentucky
Pumpkin Chip Cake with Walnuts
My grandmother gave me this family recipe. After a few changes, I made the treat even healthier and tastier. Holidays wouldn’t be the same without it!-Amy Bridgewater, Aztec, New Mexico
Grapefruit, Lime & Mint Yogurt Parfait
Tart grapefruit and lime are balanced with a bit of honey in this cool and easy parfait. —Lois Enger, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Picnic Berry Shortcakes
You can make the berry sauce ahead of time and chill. Then assemble the entire dessert a couple of hours before the picnic or party. —Frieda Bliesner, McAllen, Texas
Grilled Angel Food Cake with Strawberries
One night I goofed, accidentally using the balsamic butter I save for grilling chicken on my pound cake. What a delicious mistake that my entire family loved! For a patriotic look, add a drizzle of blueberry syrup. —Tammy Hathaway, Freeman Twp, Maine
Low-Fat Peanut Butter Cookies
When you bite into one of these yummy cookies, you'll never guess it's low in fat. —Maria Regakis, Saugus, Massachusetts
Mango Rice Pudding
Mangoes are my son's favorite fruit, so I was ecstatic to incorporate them into a healthy dessert. You can also use ripe bananas instead of mango, almond extract instead of vanilla, or regular milk in place of soy. —Melissa McCabe, Victor, New York
Light Cheesecake
Our family adores cheesecake, but I wanted to serve something healthier. I came up with this lighter version that I make for both holidays and everyday. —Diane Roth, Adams, Wisconsin
Sweet Potato Frozen Yogurt Pops
Once I had my little girl I quickly became really creative in the kitchen, needing to have healthy foods on hand. These frozen treats turned out to be a favorite and are a staple in our home. —Jenn Tidwell, Fair Oaks, California
Chewy Whole Wheat Snickerdoodles
My cookies get coated with sugar, spice and everything nice! They turn out soft on the inside and a little crunchy on the outside, the dough is easy to work with, and they taste fantastic. What more could you ask for in a cookie? —Ashley Wisniewski, Champaign, Illinois
Baklava with Honey Syrup
Baklava is a sweet, buttery Greek treat. The honey syrup drizzled on top gives this classic dessert a delicious twist. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho
Chocolate-Dipped Strawberry Meringue Roses
Eat these pretty treats as is, or crush them into a bowl of strawberries and whipped cream. Readers of my blog, utry.it, went nuts when I posted that idea.—Amy Tong, Anaheim, California
Lemon Blueberry Cornmeal Cake
I lightened up this quick and easy dessert by making a few substitutions. Because the treat is so sweet, no one will know it's healthy, too.—Roxanne Chan, Albany, California.
Saucy Spiced Pears
We serve these tangy, saucy pears over angel food cake, pound cake or with a little yogurt or vanilla ice cream. Sprinkle with a favorite topping. —Joy Zacharia, Clearwater, Florida
Black Bean Brownies
You’d never guess these rich, velvety chocolate treats contain a can of black beans. Who would have thought black bean brownies would be so amazing? —Kathy Hewitt, Cranston, Rhode Island
Chocolate-Dipped Phyllo Sticks
Looking for a little something special to share with friends or family? Try these crunchy treats. They’re great with coffee or a glass of milk. —Peggy Woodward, Shullsburg, Wisconsin
Full-of-Goodness Oatmeal Cookies
I love to bake, and bring in extra treats to leave in the faculty lounge for my colleagues. To avoid being blamed for ruining their healthy diets, I came up with this healthier version of the classic oatmeal cookie to make snacking on these a good choice, instead of a guilty indulgence. —Sharon Balestra, Bloomfield, New York
Berry White Ice Pops
Kids and adults will love these ice pops speckled with colorful mixed berries for a nice cold treat. —Sharon Guinta, Stamford, Connecticut
Vanilla Meringue Cookies
This meringue cookie is light, airy morsels and the perfect fat-free treat to really beat a sweets craving. —Jenni Sharp, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Citrus Compote with Grapefruit Granita
Make granita no more than a day ahead of time for best texture. If it freezes solid, it can be revived by pulsing in a food processor. This recipe was inspired by a trip I took with my husband to Italy. —Jennifer Beckman, Falls Church, Virginia
Chili-Lime Grilled Pineapple
I love grilled pineapple. This recipe combines the fruit's natural sweetness with the tart and spicy flavors of lime and chili powder. It's great for dessert and even as a side dish with ham or pork chops. —Geraldine Saucier, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Cinnamon Nut Bars
Classic bar meets good-for-you ingredients in this updated recipe. If you have the patience, after the bars are cool, store them in a tin for a day to allow the flavors to meld...I think they taste even better the next day.— Heidi Lindsey, Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin
Fruit & Granola Crisp with Yogurt
Here's an easy recipe you can feel good about. Blueberries and peaches are such a delightful flavor combination. —Sue Schmidtke, Oro Valley, Arizona
Strawberrry-Rosemary Yogurt Pops
We planted strawberries a few years ago and these tangy-sweet frozen yogurt pops are my very favorite treats to make with them! The options are endless. Try using other yogurt flavors like lemon, raspberry or blueberry. You may also substitute your favorite herb for the rosemary—or simply omit it. —Carmell Childs, Ferron, Utah
Cranberry and Pear Crisp
This dessert is perfect for that first autumn day you can feel a nip in the air. It’s full of sweet, crunchy fall flavors. —Lori Choquette, Holyoke, Massachusetts
Mixed Berry Sundaes for 2
Before serving yogurt sundaes, get ready for requests for seconds. Our family enjoys them for breakfast, but they're sweet enough for dessert. What an easy way to get our fruit and calcium. —Edie DeSpain, Logan, Utah
Grilled Stone Fruits with Balsamic Syrup
Get ready to experience another side of stone fruits. Hot off the grill, this late-summer dessert practically melts in your mouth. —Sonya Labbe, West Hollywood, California
Sarah Kosalos