Can video games become a healthy part of my lifestyle or is this just a cash cow being milked by companies? There is only one way to find out, so this gamer turns guinea pig in ‘My Video Game Gym’.
The idea: Lose weight and get fit
The plan: Use video games
Current stats:
Height: 5ft 5′
Week 1
Starting Weight: 90.8kg / 14 stone 3lbs
Fitness Level: 5/10
Week 2
Current Weight: 88.4kg / 13 stone 13lbs
Fitness Level: 5/10
Tools: Zombie, Run! 5K Training – a running app by Six to Start / Dance Central 2 by Harmonix Music Systems for Xbox Kinect
The basics for Dance Central series can be found in one of our older reviews here but I’m throwing myself into Dance Central 2 and using the Fitness option!
Zombie, Run! is a mission based tracking app that puts you into the position of a crash survivor seeking refuge in a nearby town, on their Facebook page, the game is described as “An ultra-immersive running game and audio adventure for the iPhone, iPod Touch, Android, and Windows Phone 7”. I had seen some friends sharing their runs and stats using the app so I figured this could be the way to finally motivate myself! I’m ridiculously competitive and the chance to outrun Zombies has always been something I’ve thought I could do – now a full review of the App will follow once I’ve done more than one go on it but for now let’s shuffle onto the stats and my first wheezy day on the streets racing (crawling) away from Zombies!
Rather than a new article each day I will update this one and then next week my progress will start in Week 2 and a new article! Wish me luck and feel free to take the piss!
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Monday Zombie, Run! Dance Central 2 Weights (not a game but a fun challenge) Really didn’t want to do this today but it’s amazing how much clarity you get from running! I was able to clear my head and using the Zombies, Run! app I felt like I wasn’t alone when I was running but my partner wasn’t doing my head in either. When it came to completing Mission 2 and the final 10 minute free form I felt like I wanted to go on and pushed myself to run some more! Came home and despite being tired I threw myself into the Dance Central 2 workout… after a five minute breather which was mostly spent trying to get into my apartment because I zipped my keys into my pants and broke said zip! I also felt awesome when I got on the scales this morning and found I’d dropped 4 bloody pounds! Video games are awesome! |
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Tuesday Dance Central 2 Weights (not a game but a fun challenge) No running thank fudge! |
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Wednesday Zombie, Run! Dance Central 2 No Weights (not a game but a fun challenge) Week 2 Workout 1 on the Zombies, Run! app and what I thought would be an easy run turned out to be a little more strenuous than previously planned! God damn heel lifts… on the side of a steep hill… leads to me looking like a sweaty penguin flapping it’s flappers? wings? to try and fly!
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Thursday – Sunday I had company so no time to work out – kinda half disappointed kinda half relieved! Entertaining was a great break from the routine but I managed to watch what I ate and drank turning from two pints straight to water for the rest of the weekend! Willpower… I have it! |
Editor-in-Chief, part-time super villain and hoarder of cats. If you can’t find me writing, I’m probably in the kitchen!
