Best Way to Lose Weight? Watch Your Favorite Sitcom & Laugh: Study

Results from a recent study confirm the old adage that laughter is the best medicine. According to the study, laughing while watching your favorite funny sitcom can burn as many calories as walking at medium speed.

According to Metro, Dr. Helen Pilcher and Timandra Harkness were commissioned by the television channel Dave to conduct the study. The results of the study reveal that bursting into uncontrollable fits of laughter can burn as much as 120 calories an hour.

This is not the first study delving into the effects of laughter on the body. Earlier studies have been conducted showing the relationship between laughter and weight loss.

Mirror says in 2007, a group of researchers led by Dr. Maciej Buchowski concluded that laughing for 15 minutes a day can burn up to 40 calories.

Another study revealed that laughing improves the circulation of blood in the body, giving the individual a good cardiovascular workout.

The results from the Pilcher and Harkness study indicate that a good laugh triggers the internal oblique muscles and making them become more active.

"This report raises the joyous possibility that watching comedy shows can help you to shape your six pack by targeting internal oblique muscles more effectively than sit-ups. I definitely felt more toned after watching hours of TV comedies," Dr. Pilcher said in a statement.

According to Express, the researchers from the Comedy Research Project have categorized laughter into five types:

• Howler - identified as uncontrollable fits of laughter, a howler can burn as much as 120 calories an hour.
• Belly buster - a series of hearty laughs can consume 100 calories an hour.
• Giggle - giggling can make people lose 33 calories per hour.
• Chuckle - going into a chuckle can encourage the body to burn 20 calories per hour.
• Snigger - sniggering can burn approximately 10 calories an hour

Taking it a step further, the researchers have devised weight loss programs which include reps of laughter.

One such program is labeled as 'The Hyena.' According to the UK news source, this program involves a combination of howling sessions, belly laughs, giggling and chuckling.

The other program is referred to as 'Shape up for Spring (Cleaning).' Mirror says the program includes a series of household chores that could be done while watching comedy shows.

"Laughter is no replacement for going to the gym. But let's face it, it's a much more inviting prospect on a wet, chilly winter evening," co-author Harkness said on the New Zealand Herald report.