Kinected
Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 7:38AM Exercise. When I see that word I do not think positively. I think of failure, guilt, commitment, and anger. My attitude towards exercise was never good.
And it still isn’t.
Thinking about planning to exercise is an exercise in itself. Planning the time, the activity, and making sure I have all I need to make it through without a life threatening low is a task that stops me from moving closer to that exercise program I know I need to be on. The one I always start but never stick to.
And I am still not there.
After our Christmas in Flagstaff my wife was on a major kick to buy and Xbox 360 with Kinect. If you are not familiar with the Kinect, think Wii type games but without the controller. The Kinect sensor tracks your entire body so you move around and you are the controller.
My sister brought her Xbox to the cabin and my wife loved it. And she loved it for one game.
I am not going to lie, I really loved it myself. Dancing is one thing that I am very comfortable doing and enjoy. Plus I have been known to clear dance floors with my sweet moves. HA! That is another story for another time.
Long story short(er), we picked up an Xbox on the way home from Cabin Christmas and have been playing it all the time.
And I love it!
It is awesome!
If the Xbox is on than I am ready to go. Dance after dance, game after game, I am up and moving and sweating like a pig. (I used to have a pig as a pet and they do not sweat. That is why they roll in the mud and dirt to cool off. Who came up with that?)
Moving matters in whatever way you do it. Exercise does not need to be strapped to a machine or being a member to a gym. You can find other ways and I think I have mine for now. At least it is a start. Maybe when I get to a point where I am not so self conscience I may venture into other stuff but for now I am just gonna keep on dancing.
Anyone else have thoughts on unconventional exercise and things I can do to get moving and still have fun? Or do any of you have any good Xbox Kinect games that you would recommend?
Reader Comments (11)
You just made me want to buy a Kinect to have that game. Seriously. I'm talking to Aaron when he gets home!
You just made me want to buy a Kinect to have that game. Seriously. I'm talking to Aaron when he gets home!
You just made me want to buy a Kinect to have that game. Seriously. I'm talking to Aaron when he gets home!
Exercise? Yes, I feel the same guilt thing. It's awful. I do not exercise... AT ALL. That needs to change, I know.
I've thought about just going dancing more often. My husband loves it, but I hate the whole club scene (hello, self-esteem!). Dance Central seems to be what I need.
This looks like so much fun! Do they have a Zumba game? I want to do Zumba. I'm afraid I don't have any inventive ideas for you as far as other exercise goes. I'm kinda boring with my recumbant bike and Cardioglide machines. It works for me but I'm looking forward to better weather here (near Flagstaff!!) so I can get outside. Good luck with your dancin'. I hope it keeps you motivated for a long, long time!
I have the WiiFit which comes with a board you stand on. I love it - tracks you time, calories burned, weight, etc. This little personal trainer guy comes and talks to you every morning and gives a tip.
I have taken Zumba classes by two different teachers at the Y and both were very intense, with a lot of 20-something girls in spandex. Seemed to be a lot of jumping, which was not kind to my knees.
Kim - If only for Dance Central 2 you should get it. It is so much fun and last night I bought "Gonna Make You Sweat" by C&C Music Factory. And that song title is not just a clever name.
Bea - I love dancing too which is why this works so well for us. I can dance all night but exercise? Heck no!
Kate - They do have a Zumba game. We downloaded a demo which my file loved. It felt like an aerobics class so it was kind of a turn off for me.
MN - Jasmine started a group at church for people who wanted to get together twice a week and follow the Zumba DVD. It made it nice because at those classes you feel out of place. It's ironic to me that the people that probably need the exercise the most are the one who get looked at like, "what the hell are you doing here?" Maybe that was not your experience but that is how I felt when I used to go to a gym.
AWESOME! my kid asked for just dance 3 for the wii for christmas, so we've been playing that for a while and it is no joke on the sweating front! it's also very effective in dropping her BG! WHO KNEW? ;)
Babysitting for a friend. Or Toddler Chasing(though I don't blame you if you think "No Way! never again" #unconventionalExercise
Although that looks really fun, and I wouldn't mind getting my exercise that way!!
George - people stare at me even more when I have one of my "Dylan Still Rocks" tshirts on......
I played Just Dance 3 on a Wii and a Kinect during Christmas. Wow - did I ever need to keep the juice nearby! They are great workouts!!!
I WILL NOT work out if it isn't fun, so this type of exercise is perfect for me.