Opinons and Insights on my plan

[Samuron]

Alright, so here's what I got so far.

I'm 15 years old, I'm 6'6" and weigh about 360 pounds. After playing DDR a few times at the arcade on light mode and playing at my friends house I finally went out and bought my own set with one of the cheap pads. The one I got was a gamestop one, but anyway. I've had the game for three days now, and I have burned a total of 2585.989 calories, or so workout mode says, which is about 90 songs.

The reason why that it's pretty low calorie to song ration as of now, is because I've been doing light mode, and I got a lot of songs in yesterday because a friend came over and we took turns back and forth for like 3 or 4 hours. I want to set up a nice daily goal, in which my idea is to do 2 sessions of DDR a day. Each session consisting of 4 rounds, or 12 songs, one in the afternoon when I get home from school and one in the evening. I shower after both session because it gets my body really sweaty.

The hardest songs that I can really only do for now are 5 footers, and even some of them I tend to mess up. So I try to do more light mode than I do of standard, I usually drink a good amount of water while I'm playing DDR, about 2 bottles of spring water per session, and during the big fest yesterday, I must've filled my glass up with about 7 glasses worth of purified ice water. When I'm not playing DDR, I usualyl drink diet rootbeer and orange soda, and I try to only have about 1-2 servings of snack foods a day, less if I can.

I've always seemed to lose interest in diets and such, I generally cannot control myself if I leave a snack unfinished in my room, so I have to put them away. I've been pretty much heavy nearly all my life, and I think it's time for me to stop it and get healthier. After reading all of the testimonies I found on this site they really got me motivated. I would greatly appreciate any suggestions or opinions on my current plan to make it better in anyway possible. If you have any questions post them too, thank you for your time.

[wibbler]

I hate the eating part of diets, it really sucks! The best way to approach that is to make something you can live with. If you are able, wake up early and play some ddr. So long as you can play some ddr in the morning, you can have whatever you want in the cafeteria. If you're really tired and you sleep in, then when you get to the lunch room, have a salad.

This is exactly what I do. When I wake up, I either go to the gym, or i sleep in like a bum, lol. If I sleep in, then it's salad's for the day. If I get up and go to the gym, it's anything I want. It works like a reward, so you're actually training yourself to work out more, and you still get to eat what you want (for the most part). Make sure you get a good multivitamin too. There's some made specificially for boosting metabolic rates (be very careful that you're getting vitamins, not "diet pills." A dead ddr player is a sad thing ).

It comes down to you making a deal with yourself, but you can do it!!!

Other than that, you sound like you're doing a good job as it is Good luck!

[Laura Moncur]

The most important part is the play time of your workouts. You want to get 30-40 minutes of song time for your workout. There's a lot of playing around choosing songs, etc. which can affect your playing time. I don't know about Playstation, but with UltraMix (on Xbox) the workout mode actually logs the time you DANCE, not the total time. I really appreciate that feature.

As far as your diet is concerned, instead of limiting your snacks, try increasing your fruits and vegetables. Aim for five servings of fruits and vegetables a day. A serving is a half cup or a fruit about the size of your fist. ADDING healthy food to your diet will eventually train your tastebuds and body to crave healthy food.

Being healthy isn't about starving. It's not about denial. It's about making choices that work for you. Good Job! Keep going!

[abrannan]

Don't worry about the calories per song too much, as Laura said, it's really the play time that matters. Two sessions of 12 songs works out to about 36 minutes of play time/day, which should be sufficient.

Something you can do to help improve your play. In the options->game settings menu, change the fail to end of song, rather than arcade, that way, even if you can't pass a song, you can at least play it all the way through. Your body doesn't care if you failed the song, just that you played. That way, you can tackle harder songs sooner.

As far as diets go, if you think of it as a diet, I doubt it will work for you. You need to change your eating habits, so that it doesn't feel like a diet. Small changes are the key. Reaching for an orange and a bottle of water instead of an orange soda. Over time, those little changes add up. If you make three changes a day that save you 150 calories each, you'll burn off a pound a week on that alone, not even counting the DDR you've done.

[Samuron]

Well today I counted my calories and am trying to stay under 1500 calories per day if I can. I'm not really thinking too much of it as a diet, but I really don't have a taste for fruits and vegetables, I'll try to aquire a taste for it to help me out.

I'm also trying to get off of the diet sodas due to all the stuff I read a bout aspartame and such, but I was wondering if it would be better to drink water or something like gatorade during my DDR time to help me keep energy up.

Another thing I was wondering is that if it was better to do songs the way they were intended or to switch the arrows to little. I really appreciate all of this feedback to help me to getting this problem a thing of the past.

[abrannan]

Samuron said:

Well today I counted my calories and am trying to stay under 1500 calories per day if I can. I'm not really thinking too much of it as a diet, but I really don't have a taste for fruits and vegetables, I'll try to aquire a taste for it to help me out.

You can always try what I call the summer camp plan: If they're hungry enough, and that's all there is to eat, they'll eat it, and some of them will even like it.

I'm also trying to get off of the diet sodas due to all the stuff I read a bout aspartame and such, but I was wondering if it would be better to drink water or something like gatorade during my DDR time to help me keep energy up.

There's a thread around here somewhere that argues the whole drink debate (See: Other then water, what's a good thing to drink?). I'd stay clear of Gatorade, you're not playing at a level that is draining your electrolytes. Water is best, everything else has it's problems. There's very little bad research on Splenda right now, so that's an alternative to drinking aspartame if you want an artificial sweetner.

Another thing I was wondering is that if it was better to do songs the way they were intended or to switch the arrows to little. I really appreciate all of this feedback to help me to getting this problem a thing of the past.

Set the difficulty and mods to whatever keeps you moving, and challenges you a little bit.

[KPow]

Don't look at it as a problem. I used to, but after only a couple months of DDR, my confidence is boosted and I don't see it as a problem.

Gatorade is meh, but water is best. I drink 16 glasses a day sometimes, which might be too much. 8 at least.

You're right about the aspartame, as it can seriously affect your life. Oh and know this SPLENDA(SUCRALOSE) = ASPARTAME MULTIPLIED BY 500. That stuff is lethal. The marketing ploy is fooling people into thinking that it is made from sugar, when it's not. The sugar portion is actually the formic acid (which happens in aspartame over 85 degrees F) that has a wood alcohol level higher than that of a fireant's sting. This is what gives it the scientific suffix 'lose' (Fructose, Glucose, Lactose are examples, but are natural and are safe)

One can feel the effects of splenda within an hour of ingestion. Head pressure, cramps in places you didn't know could have them, severe burn/rashes along the neck and chest that are as bad as a 3rd degree sunburn, stiffness in the neck and shoulders (fibromyalgia [sp?]) and fatigue. Not good for DDR, not good at all.

My drinks have lately been water, apple juice, oj, and carbonated water, if that's a good example.

[abrannan]

KPow said:

You're right about the aspartame, as it can seriously affect your life. Oh and know this SPLENDA(SUCRALOSE) = ASPARTAME MULTIPLIED BY 500. That stuff is lethal. The marketing ploy is fooling people into thinking that it is made from sugar, when it's not. The sugar portion is actually the formic acid (which happens in aspartame over 85 degrees F) that has a wood alcohol level higher than that of a fireant's sting. This is what gives it the scientific suffix 'lose' (Fructose, Glucose, Lactose are examples, but are natural and are safe)

One can feel the effects of splenda within an hour of ingestion. Head pressure, cramps in places you didn't know could have them, severe burn/rashes along the neck and chest that are as bad as a 3rd degree sunburn, stiffness in the neck and shoulders (fibromyalgia [sp?]) and fatigue. Not good for DDR, not good at all.

You know what I'm going to say, right?

WHERE'S THE RESEARCH?

I use Splenda every day, and have never even had a hint of the dire consequences you've listed. Post the research, if it's honest research, I'll retract my statement about Splenda. If it's junk science, I'll be sure to let you know.

[Samuron]

After these few days of starting my plan, it is normal for my legs to be a bit sore right? Cuz thats the way they seem to have been for like when I wake up and for throughout most of my day, but I generally ignore it when I play the game.

[abrannan]

Samuron said:

After these few days of starting my plan, it is normal for my legs to be a bit sore right? Cuz thats the way they seem to have been for like when I wake up and for throughout most of my day, but I generally ignore it when I play the game.

A little sore is perfectly normal. You're using muscles in your legs that may not get a lot of work during a normal day. Once you build a little muscle in your calves you'll be less sore.

[Laura Moncur]

Wow!

One day and I have so much to say! Firstly, I don't know if you've talked to your parents about this whole plan, but clueing them in will help you. Additionally, you should also talk to your doctor if you have any health problems that could interfere with your performance.

SORENESS:

Make sure you stretch. Do a really easy warmup song. Whatever song is your favorite right now is probably the best. Then stretch your legs completely. Stretch a little bit between songs, while you're waiting for them to start. Afterwards, fully stretch again.

This will increase your strength (minimally) and flexibility. It will also protect you from injury. That last thing you want is to put yourself out of commission for a month or so by tearing a muscle or ligament. Most importantly, it will prevent some of the soreness you're experiencing.

For some stretching tips, try these stretches:
Calves and Shins:www.exrx.net/Stretches/Gastrocnemius/Step.html Lift your toes for shins.
Front of the Thighs: www.exrx.net/Stretches/Quadriceps/Standing.html
Back of the Thighs: www.exrx.net/Stretches/Hamstrings/StandingCrossLeg.html
Back: www.exrx.net/Stretches/ErectorSpinae/SeatedBentover.html

FRUITS AND VEGGIES:

I would start out with your favorites. If you only like carrots and apples, just eat them for your five fruits and veggies a day. When you start getting sick of them (If I see another carrot, I'm throwing it across the room!) try adding a different fruit or veggie.

The key is to make slow, small changes to your diet. It will get exciting after a while because when you get sick of something, you get to choose something new.

This is going to sound corny, so you're warned: I've found that I feel more connected to the earth the more vegetables and fruit I eat. It has nothing to do with the "you are what you eat" thing. It's more like certain fruits and veggies are best when they are in season. I start to look forward to the seasons so that I can have a good cantalope or zuchinni or apple or potato. It's a strange thing to look forward to fall because of squash...

WATER VS. DIET SODA VS. GATORADE

Blah, blah, blah... Everyone has an opinion about this. My opinion is that diet soda is low in calories. For some people, it is a treat. For some people, it is a substitute for higher calorie food or drinks.

I don't think you should give up too much at once. As abrannan said, small changes are the key. Making three small changes every day will help you far more than just jumping in full force. You'll not only feel deprived, you'll shock your body. If diet soda is a substitute for Twinkies, then for God's sake don't give it up.

DIFFICULTY LEVEL:

I find that I enjoy my workout better if I can have a sense of accomplishment. Turning the level down so that you can enjoy the songs might be a good option for you. As far as health is concerned, you should be dancing hard enough to start sweating within two songs. You should be able to talk, but not sing along.

If you keep your workout at that level, then it doesn't matter what setting you have your arrows at. If the lower settings get too easy for you, then turn them up. You'll enjoy the challenge and songs that you thought you were sick of will suddenly be fun and interesting again.

[Samuron]

Aye, I have told my mother about my plans, trying to get her to get me some more healthier foods, and better dinners. I tried a banana and an apple, didn't really care for the taste of the banana and the apple, it was alright but I couldn't bring myself to swallow the thing, I really don't know why, mother thinks its just in my head but I don't know really what causes that >_>.

I'll start doing those stretches before my sessions but uh, how much of them am I susposed to do, just wondering a bit on that one. And once again I appreciate your help.

[iamjay]

I dont like fruit either but I eat alot of veggies at dinner and if i'm hungry for a snack i'll have myself a spicy pepironi stick. fills me up since it's protien plus i'm trying to gain muscle. Give that a try

[Laura Moncur]

I'll start doing those stretches before my sessions but uh, how much of them am I susposed to do, just wondering a bit on that one. And once again I appreciate your help.

Wow! That's another one of those questions that gets fitness people all arguing and screaming.

I hold each stretch once for a count of twenty. Some people recommend shorter time more often (i.e. hold for 10 seconds three times). The best thing is to experiment and see what works best for you. The 20 second hold is the best thing for me, but you might need more or less time.

I tried a banana and an apple, didn't really care for the taste of the banana and the apple, it was alright but I couldn't bring myself to swallow the thing

Texture has a lot to do with our enjoyment of food. A banana can be firm or really mushy. There are benefits to both. Nectarines and peaches are some other fruits that are in season right now that taste good. The skin on the peach feels fuzzy on your tongue. It's an interesting feeling.

There are lots of ways to get your fruit into your diet. Elvis ate peanut butter and banana sandwiches. A really black banana will spread nicely on bread and it tastes really good.

If you have a blender, you can make fruit smoothies. Peel a banana and freeze it overnight in a ziploc bag. Put it, a peeled orange, a cup of fat free milk, a cup of ice and an artificial sweetner of your choice. You'll barely be able to tell it from a Zuka Juice and it counts for two of your five fruits and veggies and one milk serving.

You're so lucky! You get to try all of these new things!

[mitchconnor]

Sometimes, when trying new foods, you should give them a second go. I used to be closed minded when it came to eating healthy but then I met my wife.

I used to eat what ever it was that my mom made for dinner, she's a really good cook and her food taste great but it's not always healthy. One day my wife was cooking up tacos and she substituted ground turkey burger for beef. At first I hated the way it tasted just because is wasn't what I was used to...but I gave it a second go. Not only is it a lot healthier, it also allows you to eat the same meals you’re used to but in a healthier way. I have not looked back since. We substitute ingredients instead of just giving everything up.

[Samuron]

Aye I'll keep trying to get better at that but, recently I've been having a lot of pain in my right foot, I actually had to limp around in school today because it hurt so much if I put pressure on it, and even with that I danced through pain

[Laura Moncur]

Don't dance through the pain. It sounds like you need to take a day or two off.

Rest is just as important as exercise. That is the time when muscle is built. When you exercise, you make tiny tears in your muscle (that's the soreness). When you rest, the muscle repairs the tears and builds itself bigger to handle the next phase. If you don't rest, you don't build the muscle.

I know how hard it is to take a day off and rest, but if you are in pain and limping, you need to. If it makes you feel better, play it with a controller. That way you'll learn the arrows on the songs and get used to the beats. That's a lot better than getting a serious injury that takes you out for months instead of a couple of days.

[Samuron]

Alright I'll go into break time then

[Laura Moncur]

Hey! New picture!

Good luck resting. How is the fruit and veggie search going?

I told my husband about the peanut butter and banana sandwich. He gagged, so maybe that wasn't a palatable option for everyone. He has the same trouble as you with his fruits and veggies. He says the more he eats them, the better they taste. When we got married, he refused to eat any fruits or veggies. Now, he is a borderline vegetarian. (It took 14 years to get there, mind you.)

[Samuron]

Gah fruits and veggies I tried a grape bleh. Didn't care for it either.

I only did one session yesterday so that I could allow my heal time to heal, and when I woke up this morning it was still in as much pain, so I limped around school again but it's starting to feel better now... I don't know if I should dance on it or way a bit longer.

Thanks for noticing the pic btw.