i started skipping 2day....man my face looked like a tomato!!! i did 10 mins with little breaks....slow and fast skips.....it wasnt hard for my legs cos i built up some muscle but the heart rate being so high really wears me down!! im aiming to do 2 10 min sessions per day....only cos of the calorie expenditure...... and a good sports bra definitely helps!!!!
The first thing is to be able to COMPLETE a 10 minute moderate session. I do a solid hour of cardio a day using bike, treadmill and x trainer, and whilst I am nowhere near the fittest person around I am getting stronger all the time. I am totally shattered after a moderate 5 minute session with the skipping rope.
In answer to your question though, my PT told me that a 10 minute session will burn between 120-150 calories at my height, weight and BMR. He recommended I work in as many sessions as I can each day while I travel.