I am starting to work out again after a long period of laziness, and having discovered that I've lost significant muscular endurance, I have decided to slowly ramp up my physical activity until I get back to a level where I don't feel awful. Now, I don't care for the gym that's two blocks from where I work, both because I don't think it has anything to recommended it aside from it being conveniently located, and because the salespeople are extra sleazy[0]. Now I've done the math on how long it takes me to drive to my old gym and how long it would take me to walk to the next closest gym, and I've decided I'd be willing to go to my old gym to lift weights, but I'm not thrilled at spending the time to go do cardio workouts (particularly when I'm in fairly pathetic shape and there's only so much satisfaction I derive from treadmills and bicycles).
The answer: There's a Dance Dance Revolution machine located 2 blocks from my work that does 3 songs for $0.50.
So, if I take that $3-4 I've been spending every day on that mocha in the afternoon[1] and instead spend it on the DDR machine, which seems to do almost as good a job at waking me up as the mocha, I should regain the cardiovascular fitness I've lost in short order.
I can still do 15 minutes on a bicycle at reasonable resistance while maintaining around 90RPM, and I can tell you that a DDR machine is a much better workout. I sweat more, I breathe harder, and (most importantly) I have more fun, which keeps me going back for more.
Oh, and I've never had a group of attractive girls standing around and watching me[3] while I used a stationary bicycle. And I've definitely never seen anybody get applause when they got off a treadmill.
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[0] Hey, gym owners, here's a clue: people don't think they're getting a great deal because of the sales tactics, they're mostly really pissed off that you didn't have the real price up front and feel like you've waisted their time and made them deal with a sleazy person. I know someone who bought her car from Saturn for the sole reason that she wouldn't have to deal with the bullshit of a salesman, and I bought my car from a different dealership when I felt like the salesman was screwing around with me. And no, not all gyms are like that, when I signed up at Gold's Gym Venice they were very up front and reasonable about the pricing.
[1] Excessive caffeine intake leads to insomnia which leads to more caffeine intake in the process of chasing coffee[2]. It's like the Buddhist concept of Samsara, only shorter, and it tends to lead to things like the use of alcohol as a sleep aid.
[2] Yes, that's where the name "Chasing Coffee" comes from. It also serves as a reminder for the need to find balance in my life so that I can not play that game anymore (not that I'm good at finding that balance).
[3] No, they weren't laughing, thanks for asking.
Posted by matt at August 20, 2003 12:19 AMHow much have you lost on the DDR diet? I played DDR on and off the past year (I lived 50 minutes from the nearest DDR machine) but my boyfriend actually bought a pad for the Playstation and lost about 60 pounds DDRing. He's hardcore though. You sound a bit more lazy (like me). So how much have you lost and how long have you been playing?
Posted by: Musey at August 30, 2003 11:02 PMI've been playing off and on for about a year and a half now. I lost a total of 40 lbs, but during that time I was also practicing yoga and lifting weights, so not everything was due to DDR.
I went through a long period of lazyness a couple of months ago where I wasn't doing anything physical so DDR is doing a good job to help me start back up.
Wow. I have been playing DDR (im 17) for about 6 months now at my local arcade. Unfortunately, my lack of funds prevents me from doing so often.
But i just bougth DDR: Konamix for Playstation, and i think that i may be able to lose weight on it now. Thanx for sharing your info!
Posted by: HeroOfTime at December 8, 2003 04:07 PMI'm glad to help.
Getting back in shape is the best thing I ever did for myself. I have more energy, I feel better, I get sick less often, I'm stronger, and sex got even better.
The one thing that I would reccomend is that you ditch the idea of "losing weight", instead concentrate on altering body composition. The end result is the same (less fat) but it tends to influence the way you think about what you're doing.
I think I'll write a blog entry detailing my thoughts on the matter.
I started to play to be better then my friends then i just played on the computer for a few months got good on that then i bough a pad and an adapter hooked it up and just got my feet to catch up now i go to the arcade most days and play for 15 mins. i have lost 70 lbs and i am 15.
Posted by: Nik at January 4, 2004 12:04 AM