How I am Still Losing Weight with Xbox 360 Kinect
Last Updated on December 6, 2018 by Michael Brockbank
Even though the Kinect has lost a lot of its luster over the years, I still find it to be an incredible tool. In fact, I am closer to my goal weight than ever before thanks to the system. So, how do I go about losing weight with Xbox 360 Kinect?
Well, I can tell you it’s not from just standing still while playing.[template id=”145″]
Optimal Xbox Kinect Fitness
I know…the Xbox 360 is about dated. However, I simply do not have the money to buy an Xbox One. This is especially true since at the time of this article Christmas is only a couple weeks away.
But, that doesn’t mean the Xbox 360 Kinect cannot contribute to fitness. In reality, the majority of the weight I’ve lost is a result of playing various games every morning.
Today, I’ll show you how to lose weight with the Xbox Kinect. And if you find your groove with certain games, the weight is easy to keep off for the long term.
Keep in mind, this is my personal Kinect weight loss success story. What works for me might not work for you. But you won’t know that until you try.
Step 1: Change Your Mentality
The first thing you’ll need to do is change your mentality about gaming and fitness. No exercise or diet routine is going to work if you don’t think it will.
Approach playing the Xbox Kinect as a way to burn calories while having fun. Don’t view it as a chore.
And if you have reservations about “exercise,” just keep in mind it’s a way to prolong your life and improve various aspects of living.
Personally, I geeked out when I tossed a 50-pound bag of dog food into the shopping cart thinking it was a smaller one. It felt far lighter, and I had no idea I added that much muscle density.
Step 2: Find a Game You Love to Play
Secondly, find a Kinect game you like to play. When it comes to losing weight with Xbox 360 Kinect, it’s all about engagement. This means you’re more likely to succeed if you are engrossed in a game.
If you’re entertained by an activity, you’re more likely to continue.
Think about all the people who have workout DVDs lying around the house collecting dust. Chances are, the person didn’t think those DVDs were all that entertaining.
My top three games are:
- Kinect Sports Season 2: Tennis
- Virtual Smash in Your Shape: Fitness Evolved
- Avengers: Battle for Earth
I have quite a few Kinect titles, but these are the ones I often play on a daily basis.
My daughters are quite partial to the Just Dance series.
Step 3: Get Into the Game
Losing weight with Xbox 360 Kinect relies heavily on really getting into the game. You don’t want to just stand there and move when necessary. It’s not like playing the Wii where you can do so from sitting in the couch.
Jump and dance around while playing. Cardio exercise is all about keeping yourself in motion. And when you slow down, so does your heart.
For instance, I am constantly moving while playing tennis. When it’s the computer’s serve, I’ll dance around until the ball comes to me. I’ll even keep moving when the Xbox is loading the next match.
You ought to see my “celebrations” during game play. I flail around like an idiot! But it’s fun.
Exaggerate your movements. You want to keep your body in the “fat burn” zone, and this is done with constant motion.
Step 4: Add Weighted Gloves
If you really want to get into losing weight with Xbox 360 Kinect, add a pair of weighted gloves. Since most games rely on arm movements, the extra weight puts more work on muscles.
For example, I remember my abs, obliques and back being sore after playing Virtual Smash for the first time with just one pound weights on each hand.
Essentially, it’s a game where you break blocks with your hands and legs.
Nowadays, I strap on the weights every time I play any Kinect game. And when I don’t wear weights, I notice the difference as I am so much faster in terms of movement.
Resistance training at its finest.[template id=”505″]
Step 5: Add Ankle Weights
Adding ankle weights really depends on the game. I mean, you’re not going to add more work to your legs if all you do is move your hands. However, the games I play use a lot of leg work.
Especially when I dance around foolishly throughout the living room. In fact, I make sure I move my legs a lot regardless of the game I play.
Ankle weights work like the gloves…putting extra work on muscles to move. It’s a great way to define thighs, calves and glutes.
In the medium and hard difficulties of Virtual Smash, you’ll move both legs quite often.
Step 6: Play for More than 30 Minutes a Day
The longer you can perform cardio exercise, the better. When I play, it’s usually between 30 to 45 minutes every morning. Of course this depends on the game I play.
For instance, it’ll only take me less than 25 minutes to beat the arcade version of Avengers: Battle for Earth. However, I’ll often put in about 40 minutes of playing Tennis.
And if you really throw yourself into the game, you’ll be a sweaty mess well before the 30-minute mark. In fact, I did a personal study of myself and found that I burn more calories playing the Xbox Kinect than a lot of people will using the latest Bowflex cardio machines.
And yes, I still play the Xbox 360 Kinect every morning…seven days a week. It helps when you have no life and never leave the house.
Step 7: Set Your Own Gaming Objectives
Most games will have objectives for you to complete. Like in Avengers, it’s all about beating every opponent. However, you can add more to the experience by creating your own goals.
Take Kinect Sports Season 2: Tennis for example. I will keep playing until the game shows I’ve burned 150 calories. According to my Fitbit, I’ve actually melted closer to 450.
In Virtual Smash, I’ll focus on getting the most points possible and try to break my personal records each round.
The point is to get your mind into the game. If you’re OK with what ever the game throws at you, that’s fine.
Remember…it’s all about engagement and entertainment for yourself.
Step 8: Keep Track of Food Intake
It doesn’t matter how many calories you burn, losing weight with Xbox 360 Kinect requires watching your intake. If you burn 400 calories playing tennis and then eat 1200 calories worth of Taco Bell, it’s not going to be as effective.
I like to use the free app, MyFitnessPal. I keep track of everything I eat so I can see where I stand in terms of calories and nutrition. And since my Fitbit is also connected, I can determine if I can eat more or not.
This is because the calories you burn will adjust how many calories you can eat for the day and still lose weight.
Just keep in mind that any exercise is moot if you still eat a bunch of crap. Make smarter choices and watch your portion sizes.
It’s All in How You Play
The best methods for losing weight with Xbox 360 Kinect revolve around how you play. If you just stand there and move your hands once in a while, it’s not going to help much. Really get into the game and have fun with the experience.[template id=”543″]
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