Xbox Kinect And Weight Loss

A few weeks ago, a friend on Facebook shared a photo with a chart showing weight vs ideal weight. The chart basically says my height should be within the range of 117-143 pounds.Β xbox kinect and weight lossAt the time I saw this photo, my weight over the “ideal weight” given for people at 5’6″. I weighed 146 pounds then. So — I guess naturally — I felt a bit down. I didn’t necessarily get depressed, but it wasn’t a good feeling. So I decided to make it a goal to lose those extra pounds.

For someone like me who lives quite a sedentary life, losing weight is a real challenge. We all know that the healthy way to lose weight doesn’t only involve eating less and eating right. It also involves some form of physical activity. Since I have a 20-month old boy and I babysit a friend’s 2-year old on most days (not to mention I have a blog to maintain and chores to do), it’s really difficult for me to find time to do some exercises.

But I guess technology, which causes all the extra busy-ness in my everyday life, is helping me get a few minutes for some physical activity. My husband just bought the Xbox Kinect a couple of weeks ago and I’m loving the fact that with this platform, I can get my body moving AND still have fun with my family. My favorite game at the moment is Just Dance 4.

According to a study, physical activity resulting from the Xbox Kinect games doesn’t give you the same results as the full workout your body gets from actual play and sports. Energy spent playing these games is just the same energy spent on light to moderate intense activities. But since my only physical activity really is when I’m playing with my son and doing chores, I guess the extra energy I spend playing Just Dance 4 would be good enough. At least for now.Β The Kinect currently costs $109.99 but it’s regularly $149.99. You can get this deal at the Microsoft Store. My husband got ours at the same rate too.

Aside from using Kinect though, I’ll also need to be more disciplined when it comes to my food intake. This is another big challenge for me because I’ve gotten used to just eating whatever and whenever I want to. But I have purchased a couple of weight loss supplements and food items to help me on my weight loss journey.

I am currently 13 pounds away from my self-imposed ideal weight of 130 lbs — which is right at the middle of 117 and 143 lbs. I really hope I reach that weight in just a couple of months!

Comments

Xbox Kinect And Weight Loss — 26 Comments

  1. I was stuck at 171 (5’10) for what felt like forever, and then I discovered running. I am 145 now and I feel GREAT! My highest weight was 200, so it has been a struggle.

    • Hi Natalie! I would love to try running again. I used to run everyday and I really saw myself at my healthiest at that time! 145 lbs at 5’10” is awesome!

  2. Good luck with the continued weight loss, I know you can do it. I too am going on the weight loss ( shh don’t tell my body ) in the spring when it’s warm enough to get out and walk, too cold this time of year and I wish I had a treadmill but since I don’t, gotta wait to warm up. Yes I’ve been told the malls etc..but I live an hour in any direction to go to any mall or shoppping center and at the price of gas..well the mountains are a lot better off than flatland anyday.

    • Hi She! Thanks for the encouragement! I agree it’s just too cold right now — my body actually wants me to stay in bed the whole day! LOL! But since I live in sunny San Jose CA where it only gets freezing cold a couple of days, I don’t really have much of an excuse not to get out for a run (or a walk). Wouldn’t it be nice if treadmills were cheap and everyone can just have them at home?! πŸ˜‰

    • Hi Zeki! Oh if I lived near the beach, I’d definitely jog everyday! That would be so much fun! πŸ™‚

    • That is so true, Mitzi! Whenever I see my pre-pregnancy photos, I either get sad that I don’t look the same way anymore, or get inspired to work on losing extra pounds. I’m only 29 and I’m already above my “ideal weight”! πŸ™ They say it’ll be harder for me to lose weight as I get older so I know I really need to start addressing this now.

    • Hi Lisa! I’d prefer under than over anytime! LOL! Easier for me to make choices when shopping for clothes. πŸ™‚

  3. If only I could get anywhere near my ‘ideal’ weight I would be a happy camper. I am overweight and I have to do something about this soon! Thank you for bringing this information in….

  4. It’s hard to find clothes that fit. A size 4 is great for a few hours. Then they start to sag in the back. 3’s are hard to find.For me I get frustrated!

  5. Well, according to the magical chart I need to lose a few pounds myself. Sitting on my hiney in front of a computer for a good portion of the day doesn’t lend itself to getting my metabolism up enough for weight loss. But I have been hanging steady at my current weight within a few pounds for a while and I don’t want the chart to make me nuts so I will just kick up my walking a little bit and hope for the best. Good luck with your journey!!

  6. I know you like to munch on something every now and then. There’s a kot of healthier optiob out there to snack on. We (I and Jeff), for one, love snacking on roasted seaweed. I hope it’s not too exotic for you. Lol. You can buy those on Korean/Japanese supermarket, even Ranch 99 I think. Cut down on soda (but if you can eliminate it, better), and no to fast food. More veggies and fruits and at least 20mins of walking everyday. That’d make a lot of difference, not just on your weight, but on your health as well. Kaya mo yan! Sabay tayo hehe. πŸ™‚

  7. I guess I am a bit over weight according this chart. Boy, do I have some work …lol!

  8. This chart is about right. I still have alot of weight loss to go to be on this chart! Keep your goal in sight – you can do it!

  9. i usually dont use the video games like kinect or move or wii to do my exercise. i go to the gym. it feels different when i play sports and exercise rather than do the ones on the video game system. good luck with your weight loss. hope it goes well.

  10. I feel like charts like that don’t take into consideration your body type and percentage content of muscle, fat, water content, etc. And then you can be very healthy with a active lifestyle and have more weight (muscles) versus being stick-skinny and lack tone and an active lifestyle. It’s hard to really judge just based on a single chart. That’s why I think it’s better to go with what your doctor says.

  11. I don’t weigh myself. As long as I can fit into my clothes and I look in the mirror and feel ok with what I see, then I’m ok. Thank you for sharing this post.