Weight Fact: Lose Weight By Watching Scary Movies

The horror genre is obviously great for instilling lifelong phobias in little kids or giving your date an excuse to snuggle in closer during the scary bits. On the other hand, weight loss is tough. You try to eat right, try to get to the gym, but you’re still disappointed every time you step on the scale. But did you know that mixing these two together can do wonders for your waistline? Read more:

So claims one recent study by University of Westminster , which found that 90 minutes of a scary movie could burn as many calories as a half-hour walk.

The scarier the movie, the more calories burned. The study measured the total energy expenditure of ten different people as they watched a selection of frightening movies. Scientists recorded their heart rate, oxygen intake and carbon dioxide output – and discovered the number of calories used increased by on average a third during the films. The research also revealed films featuring moments designed to make viewers jump in terror are the best calorie-burners, as they cause heart rates to soar.

However, not all horror flicks were equally efficient at melting away the pounds. The biggest calorie-burners were the ones with scenes that made viewers “jump” with fright, like The Shining. Dr. Richard Mackenzie, senior lecturer at the Unviersity of Westminster, explained the effect:

Each of the ten films tested set pulses racing, sparking an increase in the heart rate of the case studies. Each of the ten films tested set pulses racing, sparking an increase in the heart rate of the case studies. As the pulse quickens and blood pumps around the body faster, the body experiences a surge in adrenaline. It is this release of fast acting adrenaline, produced during short bursts of intense stress (or in this case, brought on by fear), which is known to lower the appetite, increase the Basal Metabolic Rate and ultimately burn a higher level of calories.

Here are the films to check out if you’d like to try and slim down through a strict regimen of sitting on the couch:

1. The Shining: 184 calories

2. Jaws: 161 calories

3. The Exorcist: 158 calories

4. Alien: 152 calories

5. Saw: 133 calories

6. A Nightmare on Elm Street: 118 calories

7. Paranormal Activity: 111 calories

8. The Blair Witch Project: 105 calories

9. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre: 107 calories

10. [Rec]: 101 calories