Generalized Question

[minako]

So, right now I'm 350 pounds. My boyfriend broke my pad, so I'm using the controller and making sure where I move my feet is where my fingers go. It's quite interesting.

Anyway, I've been doing 10 minutes up in the order of 2 2 feet songs, 3 four feet songs, a 2 feet song and then a 1 foot song (warm up, workout, cool down) I have DDR Max 2. Then I sit down for 10 minutes with a bottle of water, drink it, and do another 10 minutes. I'm doing this 6 times a day to equal an hour of workout. Do you guys think this sounds good, or should I do more/less? Opinions appreciated! ^_^

[moose138]

Well, the idea is that the shorter the workout the harder the workout. If a 4 foot song is the highest you can go then I would suggest at least 40 minutes at a time. If you're looking for 10 minute workouts, you gotta be doing 7 feet and up or you won't even get a sweat. Of course You shouldn't be trying to go short and fast all the time or you'll hurt yourself. And short workouts wont really help in weight loss just maintaining.

I would also say you only need one song for warm up and one for cool down.

[minako]

Thing is, I do work up a sweat. I'm going from absolutely no work out at all to this. I get to a point where I have to have that 10 minute rest or I pass out.

Remember, I weigh over 300 pounds. A 7 foot song for me at this point, is impossible. I could break out into sobs if I had do that. I guess having MS doesn't help that any either because my legs aren't great.

I wouldn't do a workout if it wasn't breaking into a sweat. I guess it's because I have gone straight from no work out at all to this. I don't plan on staying here though...I plan on working my way up.

[moose138]

I'd say to stick to 4 footers if you can. And a 4 footer on light is much easier than a 4 footer on heavy.

But plan for a 45 min workout. And then go for it. If you get tired at the 15 minute mark you can rest for a little bit, but the key is continuous working out. Like running a circuit at the gym. After you break get back to it. Do you have the songs on continuous? If so, turn it off. You can then rest for 30 secs between songs while you pick the next one. If you get through a real tough one with lots of jumping... follow it with a slow one. Just keep moving.

I'm 310 lbs. I generally do 6 and 7 footers. Not great at rapid jumps but can hit most fast combos. I get sweaty and tired at the 30 min mark... then I slow down for about 20 min and then go hard for the last 10. That's been my routine for the last few weeks since I got back into it.

[abrannan]

Read the "Maximizung your workout" entry on my thread here. What's more important is that your heart rate is getting up to about 70% of your maximum (220-age). That puts your body into it's optimal calorie burning mode. Check your heart rate every three or four songs and rest if you need to get your heart rate down (or drop your difficulty way down). I wouldn't sit down in between. You need to cool off, but if you just stop dead, you can end up with blood pooling, which a) can make you pass out, b) makes your heart work harder, and not in a good way, and c) can make your legs tighten up. Stay stnding, and move just a little bit while you cool down. Keep things moving, swing your arms gently, step from side to side. Definitely drink your water, and towel off.