Tim wants me to get a Kinect.
I’m worried about my health — blood pressure and cholesterol are both up — and I’m just not finding a lot of time/energy to go take walks. To be exact, I don’t use whatever time I do actually have during the day to go take a walk.
Some days, it feels like a huge effort to leave the apartment. There’s anxiety about any emails stacking up in my absence — even more likely now that the holiday rush has begun and there are about twice the requests as normal — plus the overall energy it takes to put on an outfit I can comfortably exercise in, make sure my MP3 player is charged up, fill up a water bottle and get out the door.
I know that probably sounds ridiculous to most able-bodied people/non-depressives. But there have been at least five occasions in the past month or two that I have purposefully put on workout gear in the morning and still ended up not going out to take a walk.
So the “take a walk” plan isn’t working so well. Arguably, I could make Tim set an alarm and force myself to go at a specific time. I think that’s the next step in this ridiculous arrangement. But that doesn’t always work for me either, since my energy ebbs and flows throughout the day.
After seeing some demonstrations of the Kinect, Tim and I both have to admit that the Dance Central game looks fun. But the rest of the almost-20 titles leave me pretty lukewarm. Still, Tim has been urging me to get one.
I told him that I didn’t think one game was worth spending $150 to be able to play. (Plus the cost of the game, of course.) His annoyingly sage response was, “A video game might not be worth it. But your health is. ” I hate it when he makes better logical arguments than I do.
Essentially, Tim’s point is that it’s the best shot I have at being and staying active. I can do it at home, with the blinds closed. I don’t have the leave the house and I can take breaks to do it whenever there’s time.
So, this weekend, we went and checked out the Microsoft Store, where some people were playing. A very helpful employee chatted with us. Apparently the game has many levels. Beyond the normal easy to hard, the game has different levels of activity for each song. He said that some artists have easy movements, while others are more complex or aerobic.
He also said that Microsoft plans to release around 20 titles (or more) before the next holiday season. So there is a chance that more titles of interest will become available. But is that a chance worth a $150 gamble?
Honestly, I’m not sure. Remember the Wii Fit craze? Because I’ve yet to hear about anyone actually getting in good shape from it. As it is with most exercise equipment, everyone swore up and down that they’d use it religiously. Now you don’t hear much about it.
On the other hand, I have to figure out something quickly. At my next doctor’s appointment, I’m having blood drawn to measure my cholesterol. If I don’t get active soon, my doctor is going to want to put me on cholesterol medication. I’ve heard it’s hard to get off the stuff once you’re on it, and most of the brands have a host of side effects.
There are plenty of good arguments on both sides of the issue here. So I’m interested to hear what other frugal people would do. Is my health worth any halfway decent chance? Or should I focus on more frugal exercise, like my walks? (Which I swear I actually did find the time/energy for, once upon a time. I just can’t remember how.)
I need input, people!
Jan says
We bought an Xbox – Kinect bundle for $300 a couple of weeks ago. And yes I must admit that it's a lot of fun. The Kinect Adventures game that comes with it is really good, but it is pretty light. We bought the Joy Ride game, which is similar to other racing games, except you have to be standing up and have to bend a little often while playing. We got 2 copies of Dance Central free from Old Navy during the Black Friday sale. I found Dance Central to be good too and again depending on the tracks some nearly made me sweat. But like the Wii Fit, I don't think this will be a good alternative to actual exercise. I seem to want to play these games only during the weekends when I have some energy. And during such periods of energy, I think it would be better to go to the gym or for a walk in terms of calories burned. I am assuming you already have an Xbox, in which case $150 Kinect (with 1 game) is not too high an investment. But buy it with the knowledge that the Kinect is just an entertainment system and not as your primary exercise regime. Just my 2 cents.
Abigail says
Jan,
So what you're saying is you have an extra copy of Dance Central? (Just teasing, don't worry.)
I agree that, while I can try to have the best of intentions, I don't think the Kinect can really supplant other exercise. On the other hand, if it gets me more active, it might make regular exercising easier. Not sure.
I do want to play some of the Kinect Adventures games, but I hear they get stale pretty quickly, so I'm trying to be reasonable about my expectations.
Jan says
Well since I got it for free, I don't mind actually mind sending it, but it's going to be a stocking stuffer for my husband's niece 🙂
Yes, the Kinect can definitely make you more active at home. It's always better to stand and move your body playing a game than to sit on the couch and play a game. As long as it's not your primary source of exercise!
Yes the Kinect Adventures does get boring after a while. It's just meant to show what you can do with the Kinect. Sort of like Wii Sports – I never play it until someone comes home who doesn't have a Wii.
TEN says
I agree that these systems are entertainment and not an exercise program. They could possibly be used in conjunction with an exercise program, but not in place of a program. Buy it if you want a game to play, but not for exercise.
I would try to get some walks into your day. Can you take a few fifteen minute breaks throughout the day and walk around the complex? How about wearing a pedometer (you can usually get them free) and measuring how many steps you take in a ‘normal’ day and then try to increases gradually? Would Tim go on a walk with you? How about giving yourself a ‘reward’ for walking? If you normally order food X nights a week; limit yourself unless you have walked.
How about a group exercise class? Parks and Recreation departments sometimes have these for reasonable prices?
reynique says
Personally, I find those Leslie Sansone walking DVD's helpful. They come in handy when I want to exercise, but don't want to go outside to do so. You can get one for around $10 and that's a lot cheaper than a game system. If you have your heart set on getting the Kinect, then go for it and have fun. "Things" won't make you want to work out. The advantage of both the Kinect and an exercise DVD you like is that you have privacy. When I do the Leslie Sansone DVD, I feel great whether I do 1mile or 3 miles. Have fun and don't stress over your doctor's appt.
Abigail says
Reynique,
I hadn't heard of her, but I will definitely check her out. If my library doesn't have it, I bet Amazon will have a copy that's relatively cheap.
catseye says
I'm not a gamer, so I can't really comment on the Kinect. If you like to play games and you think you'd enjoy the system, buy it. But I agree with Jan. Buy it for entertainment, not exercise.
Dancing was my primary source of excercise when I was younger. Put on some danceable music and move around to it. Do this every day. If you really lack energy that day, do it for five minutes. Dancing's one of the best forms of exercise. I need to start doing it again myself.
Abigail says
The main problem there, I'm afraid, is we have no stereo. And my MP3 player is bulky. Not completely undoable, but not as easy as it should be. An iPod dock/stereo system is yet another thing added to the "If we see a decent deal" list.
Christina says
Use your television. Both satellite companies have several music stations no matter which package you have.
Abigail says
Hmm excellent idea Christine! I always forget about those channels.
Deedee says
I don't know anything about Kinect, but I will second @reynique's suggestion for the Leslie Sansone walking DVD. She is very inspiring and it is so easy to do in your living room. Or take it to the streets, you can walk outside as well. I got in really good shape from reading her book and following the plan by walking outdoors. Then when the bad weather hit I shifted to walking to her DVD indoors.
Abigail says
Deedee,
She sounds very impressive. I'm going to have to go look her up.
Liz says
I have several DVDs that are in 15 minute increments, so that if I'm feeling slack, I can only do a 15 minute segment, but if I want, I can do more (several different workouts are included).
That said, I go to hot yoga and I have a 20 minute yoga + weights routine that Clean Eating or Oxygen magazine published a couple of years ago. I do those mostly.
My husband wants a Wii and has been pushing for me to get a Wii Fit, but as someone who has no idea how to use the TV setup he's set up, I don't really think that's going to work.
Abigail says
Liz,
What are the incremental DVDs? They sound interesting and very apt for my needs.
Liz says
Bollywood Burn with Hemalayaa and Denise Austin Get Fit Fast. You do need light weights with the Denise Austin video, but you can definitely start without and see if you need some. Play It Again Sports is my source for cheap weights… that said, if you prefer Neoprene weights, Target and Walmart usually have better prices.
Alane says
I also love Leslie Sansones walk away the pounds dvds. I was able to get a 3 pack for under $30. The 1 mile walk is 17 minutes long and through the whole video she demonstrates modified movements to what she is doing so if you aren't as fit or tire quickly you don't feel bad for slowing down or doing things a little differently.
Emma S says
I got a Wii Fit for Christmas last year, and have used it exactly thrice! I was sure that I would be dedicated to my new fitness regime when we bought it. It didn't happen. Instead I went back to my trusty favourites – workout DVDs. I do the Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred, and the No More Trouble Zones DVDs. I also throw in a yoga DVD a few times a week too. Yoga is a good one to do when you are low-energy (I do it right before my nightly shower and bed), but you still feel like you're doing SOMETHING. Between Amazon and Wal-Mart, all 3 DVDs PLUS a set of 2,3, and 5lb weights cost me about $40.
Lindy Mint says
I was just thinking about our little Wii Fit that we also got as a Christmas present last year. My husband and I would actually do it together on set nights of the week. We kept it up for about four months and saw at least a little bit of muscle improvement.
But since life became more busy, we haven't been so active. I guess there's nothing like a new year to start all over again, right?
Carol says
Define fitness for yourself first. I have a wii, use wii fit (the yoga is great) and I've gotten more muscular. They also have those dance games, which are fun, and because it is an older system, you can get the discs USED which saves a giant pile of cash. Havve I gotten skinny? No. Don't think I ever will. Do I have awesome blood pressure, the heart rate of an athlete? Heck yeah. (And I know a lot of people that use their wii fits. What I like about it is I don't put on any special clothes. I have depression issues too, among other autoimmune illnesses and changing can keep me from doing ANYTHING.)
Abigail says
Carol,
Sorry for the belated reply. I think I would even go for active — which I think the Kinect could help with. And, while I would definitely like to shed a few pounds, right now it's more important to lower my cholesterol and blood pressure, so my eye is towards more activity/exercise to get myself healthier overall — not just aesthetically.