Lately I have been obsess with playing DDR - Hottest Party for the Wii, to the point were I am neglecting my normal workout routine.  For the last three weeks, I played that game at every free moment in hopes of passing another level. 

Generally, I am not a big fan of cardio.  I prefer weight lifting or pilates.  I only enjoy cardio that involves lots of movement like step aerobics or kickboxing.  My husband gets more use out of our elliptical machine than I do.  For a goal oriented person like me, this game is a great way to enjoy my cardio.  I am focused on the step patterns and completing the song with the highest possible score.  I can spend almost 2 hours playing this game before I realize that I am exhausted.  Being able to be in the zone like when it comes to any physical activity is wonderful.

There are stories abound all over the internet of people who had lost double digits from playing DDR for PS2, especially if they were sedentary before.  There is even a DDRFit club if you want support from other DDR fans trying to loose weight.

The game itself is very similar to previous ones, but incorporates  the Wii remote and nunchuck for hand movements.  If you played Dancing with the Stars for the Wii, then you know what kind of hand movements I am talking about.  With the hand movements, the feet movements, and the step obstructions thrown in, you need to focus in order to pass the levels.  But the good thing is that you can turn off all these extra features and just play the feet movement.  I confess — that is what I have been doing for the last three weeks.  With two left feet, I am lucky that I have not fallen over yet.  I cannot even keep up with the step patterns for the basic mode with just my feet.  There is no way I can unlock songs and stages with all the extra features turned on.

You can find a more thorough analysis of the game from the links in Wikipedia for DDR-The Hottest Party.

At the end of the day, DDR - Hottest Party for the Wii is just a game.  It is no substitute for a good exercise routine consisting of strength training, cardio, and flexibility.  However, it is fun and I can see it motivating sedentary people into doing more physical activity.  Any physical activity is better than no physical activity, but whether or not you attain your goals is another story.

Until next time and thanks for stopping by.

I love the “Got Milk?” ads of a celebrity with a milk mustache. I do not know whether these celebrities are regular milk drinkers, but they sure make drinking milk look sexy. And they also reinforce the idea that drinking three glasses of milk a day will lead to weight loss. That is as true as a fairy godmother.

Milk does not help us to lose weight!
The National Dairy Council has spent more than $300 million since 2003 in advertising to make us believe that if we consume enough dairy food we will lose weight.

According to LA Times, of the 49 studies on dairy products and weight loss, only 2 studies linked dairy with weight loss and 41 studies with no effect.

The Federal Trade Commission has forced the dairy organizations to stop claiming that drinking milk will promote weight loss. As a matter of fact their new claim is that “studies suggest the nutrients in 3 glasses of lowfat or fat free milk a day can help maintain a healthy weight, plus the protein, along with exercise, helps build muscle for a lean body. So eat right, move more and milk your diet.” Are you sitting here scratching your head at their wording of “eat right and move more?” Basically they recommend you go on a diet for weight loss, but drink our milk.

But calcium might help weight maintenance in menopausal women.
A seven year study from the Women’s Health Initiative has found that menopausal women consuming 1,000 mg of calcium and 400 IU of vitamin D every day are less likely to gain weight or maintain their weight. Some of these women in the study actually lost weight.

Calcium is found in food sources other than milk.
Though we are brainwashed to believe that milk is the healthiest source of calcium, it is not. The amount of calories in a glass of milk is equal to our “treat” for those of us trying to lose weight. Even if we drink the fat free milk, the calories in three glasses will add up.

More nutritional and reduced calorie sources of calcium includes: broccoli, kale, spinach, oranges, tofu, peanuts, peas, black beans, salmon, sardines, Chinese mustard greens, and Chinese cabbage. Google “calcium food source” for more options.

Until next time and thanks for stopping by.