Time to get in shape before I keel over dead

MaraDiaz

Hi all, I'm starting this because I'm interested in losing weight primarily using the XBox Kinect. I'm a gamer, mostly MMOs, and of course that keeps me in my chair. So I'm trying out different Kinect workout programs and games in hopes of a workout program that isn't deathly boring.

I've had Zumba for almost a year now, but I'm very uncoordinated and unfamiliar with Latin Dance, so I've found it frustrating. Then I started playing Kinect Adventures. Rally Ball is good cardio and quite fun. I also tried Rise of Nightmares, and it's an even better workout, but it's not so great on my back due to the movement mechanics.

Now I've decided to get more serious about working out, so in a few days I'm picking up Your Shape 2012 (mostly for the cardio boxing, yoga, and tai chi. I'll also be sampling other games and programs as I go along. I'm starting with 90 minutes every day but my goal is to work my way up to at least two hours. I also want to incorporate hand weights and wrist and ankle weights into my workouts at some point.

Unfortunately, judging by the calorie counter on this site, without changing my diet, I won't lose much weight. So I'll be working on that, too. Who would have thought I could exercise 90 minutes every day and still not lose weight? Disappointing, but that's how it goes. The first thing I'm going to cut down on is the soda. I'll try to replace it with water and unsweetened tea. And I'm also taking a multivitamin.

tigerblue

The good news is--if you've never cut calories, this is going to work really well for you at first! After the first 10 or 15 pounds it slows down, but just keep on making good choices every day.

CamiXiomara

I'm so glad that you have decided to take over your life and become healthier. You'll do fine. Sometimes, counting calories doesn't really help. The calorie counter on this site said that I should eat 1200 in order to lose weight, but my body needed more. It took a while to get things together, but now that I know what I need, I'm losing weight. Also, drink plenty of water. I haven't had soda in 3 months and I've lost a lot of weight and inches from my waist. I exercise between 40-60 minutes, 6x a week. Start slow and eventually work up on the time you exercise. If you can do 90 minutes, then that's great! I'm rooting for you! Wish you the best in everything that you do!

woo1324

hey not meaning to be a Heart rate monitor pusher here but ive found my polar hrm to be really valuable when using things like wii or xbox connect for excercise

because its a really good idea to find out how much cals you are actually burning while using them some games dont burn as much as they say they do or should, so you spend like a hour playing them think you must have burned heaps and it turns out it was only like 100 and some burn more than you expect

Good luck with everything and happy gaming

MaraDiaz

Thank you all for your kind words and advice. I've spent half a lifetime dieting the wrong way, starving myself and taking pills. If I succeed this will be the first time I've ever lost weight the right way. So we'll see if there's anything left for this final push. I can't go on like this anymore, my joints are really starting to give, and if I don't do something now, I'll never be able to.

Generally when I work out with Kinect I really push myself. I've had to run to the bathroom more than once with my hand clapped over my mouth, I've fallen on the floor soaked in sweat, and nearly passed out. So I'm pretty sure I'm working out at a good clip, maybe a little too good.

I was wondering about the 1200 calorie per day restriction, but since I get points back with exercise, I should be able to stay somewhere within that range. I simply need to let the sodas go, cut down a little on the milk and portion sizes, and drink more water. Or that's what I hope, anyway. I also eat way too much junk food, today was actually an exception. Hopefully from now on, it will be the other way around, with the junk as a rare treat rather than a daily staple. I don't want to say, "I'll never eat that again," because then I'll crave it, but I do intend to cut way down.

I'm also adding heart rate monitor to my shopping list, thanks for the tip!

Elizabeth_C34

The food part of this journey is the big one that people struggle with. You can lose weight without working out at all if you control your diet. The other way around doesn't work. Please don't take this to mean you should not workout, but do it more for your heath benefits and overall wellness instead of weight loss.

I run a blog called 365 Recipes Project and am an avid amateur cook. If you have any questions about preparing food or need some ideas, please feel free to contact me.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/Elizabeth_C34

MaraDiaz

The food part of this journey is the big one that people struggle with. You can lose weight without working out at all if you control your diet. The other way around doesn't work. Please don't take this to mean you should not workout, but do it more for your heath benefits and overall wellness instead of weight loss.

I run a blog called 365 Recipes Project and am an avid amateur cook. If you have any questions about preparing food or need some ideas, please feel free to contact me.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/Elizabeth_C34

Thanks, subscribed! I'm a terrible cook, I burn everything, that's part of the reason I have so much trouble eating healthy. If someone told me today I could choose to never have to eat again but I'd also never be able to eat again (with no stomach tubes involved, of course!) I wouldn't think twice about it. The pleasure of a well-cooked meal isn't something I experience often enough to worry about having to give it up!

Elizabeth_C34

The food part of this journey is the big one that people struggle with. You can lose weight without working out at all if you control your diet. The other way around doesn't work. Please don't take this to mean you should not workout, but do it more for your heath benefits and overall wellness instead of weight loss.

I run a blog called 365 Recipes Project and am an avid amateur cook. If you have any questions about preparing food or need some ideas, please feel free to contact me.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/Elizabeth_C34

Thanks, subscribed! I'm a terrible cook, I burn everything, that's part of the reason I have so much trouble eating healthy. If someone told me today I could choose to never have to eat again but I'd also never be able to eat again (with no stomach tubes involved, of course!) I wouldn't think twice about it. The pleasure of a well-cooked meal isn't something I experience often enough to worry about having to give it up!

I promise if you stick with my blog and put in some effort, I can get you cooking in no time