Dance Dance Revolution Weight Loss

Oops almost forgot - THE most important thing to aid your weight loss is - "Drink plenty of water"
ie: 2/3 pints a day
I never used to believe this saying until i tried it - it really works as it flushes out your system and shifts fat faster - after initially drinking water every day for a week i lost half a stone alone :-)

So go and buy a bottle of Evian a day if you dislike tap water :)

umm what the hell is a 'stone'??? i read it like 3 times here respond @ rickx at hotpop dot com

It's a British weight thing...a stone is about 14 lbs, I think.

A few years ago I gained 90lbs in less than 2 years. before that I never had problems with diets, I could make myself eat the right foods and work out a little bit (never a big fan of gyms) After putting on all that weight I didn't even want to get out of my house ( I actually didn't do it, I wouldn't go out even for watering the plants for more than 6 months!) It was pathetic. I tried and tried with different diets, but I would get tired of them in a month (even when I was getting great results, like losing 20lbs in a month just dieting) Now I'm in the mood of getting fit again, my only problem is that I couldn't find what to do regarding physical activity, I was about to sing up for dance lessons when I found out about DDR2 on the internet yesterday. Today I went to Toys R Us and got myself a PS2, the game and the dance pad. I have played for more than 2 hours, I'm sweating like a pig (literally, I'm even wearing pink!) I couldn't be happier. For $200.00 I have a game that's gonna help me lose weight while having a lot of fun. this is FANTASTIC!

DDR is great exercise. It really gets your heart pumping. I started playing just over a year ago. It took me about a week to be able to pass 4's, and after another week I passed my first 7. I've been playing on nothing but heavy for about 8 or 9 months now, and I can pass almost all 7's, most 8's, and a 9 or 2. But, I've been playing for about 5 hours a week for the past 3 weeks, and I have not lost any weight (and I have a very good diet). I have noticed that my pants are getting baggier, and I've had to buy a belt to keep them up. So, if you find that you're not losing weight, it doesn't mean that you're not burning fat. Muscle is about 3 times as dense as fat (meaning that 3 lbs of muscle takes up the same space as 1 lb of fat). So, as you start burning fat and adding muscle, the scale won't show a difference, but you should start dropping inches (that does take a few weeks to really start noticing a difference). The first week or so of a workout, if you're working really hard, your muscles should feel sore due to a buildup of lactic acid (which happens when your muscles don't get as much oxygen as they'd like during a workout). Don't worry, it goes away. The best thing actually to do for that is to keep going; the soreness goes away faster if you keep using the muscles. So, keep going, even if you're sore (but make sure you stretch before and after so you don't pull or strain a muscle). If you're dedicated, it will work.

Just thought I'd keep you all updated (previous posts above). I am now down to 217 as of this morning. I have lost 5 inches on my waist, and my blood pressure has gone down dramatically. Bear in mind that I've also been eating right (kashi, tuna, and veggie burgers mostly) while doing DDR. But I thought you all may be interested. I'll be back in a month!

Dear Video Game Industry:

More like this please.

Thanks.

Your lifelong friend,

Iggy Petulante (Reverend) (not really)

Nice! Found this blog via google, looking for information on how accurate the "calorie calculator" on DDR Extreme is. I couldn't find any definitive info.

I'm a lean 6'4" Male about 170 lbs, and each 6 or 7 level Standard song says it burns about 20 calories each time. I have a workout bike in my basement that has a LED display and calculates how many calories you burn and it takes a good 5-straight minutes of pedaling away on the medium setting to burn just 10 calories and it really tires your legs out.

I can go 25ish level 5-7 songs right now without completely tiring out and find it hard to believe I'm really burning 400-450 calories that the game says I burn. Anyone know for sure if this is really accurate?

I'm not really looking to "lose weight" I just started gaining a little belly fat b/c I hadn't excercised in months & its hiding my abs. I wanna just get rid of that & use this game to help tone my leg muscles while I add a upper body workout into my routine.

Its great to see more people playing this game. I have been since it was on the Playstation 1 and I was worried that it was diminishing in popularity (it has in Japan). But since it really does give you a decent aerobic workout, I forsee its popularity increasing more and more as people realize how beneficial it is to people who use it.

And just a tip, Get a Brita or equivalent water filter and DRINK WATER WHILE YOU PLAY! You will be able to go much longer in a single session if you drink between songs, even just little sips. DO NOT DRINK DIET SODAS OR BEVERAGES WITH CARBS after or during your workout! When your heart is beating fast, your metabolism is up and introducing more carbs and/or fat into your system is not good. Diet sodas or that "flavored water" stuff that is on the market sweetened with splenda or nutrasweet isn't good IMO b/c it makes you dizzy if you work your heartrate up (at least for me). Besides...when you are sweating up a storm from a DDR session, drinking some cold water is nothing short of heaven!

BTW: Apparently DDR Extreme 2 just came out September 27th. I might pick it up later this week for $40. You guys might want to check it out too!

i've been playing all summer long at a friend's place. when we played, it was for about 7.1/2 hours each day. i only got mine about a week ago. but over the summer, and since the week, i lost about 20 lbs. which probably isn't healthy for me, 'cause i'm 16, 5'10" and a vegan who's about 110 lbs. but i'm still in pretty good shape somehow. this game is good, but can be unhealthy if you eat too healthy, not enough, or play this game too much. but meh. in the mean time, i love it! it'll also give you muscle amss, though, so i should gain weight soon. have fun with this game, y'all. i know i do:P DDREx2 rules!

Hi

This is a nice post and a wonderful set of comments.

My Gear: I have been playing DDR from the last 4-5 weeks. Bought DDR Max, a ps2 and a redoctane foam-filled pad. Now bought the DDR Extreme 2. I really like extreme 2. Its so much better than max. (I also had max 2 before my older ps2 broke. I never played it then. This was a while back). You should definately check out extreme 2. The live play is not all that great. Don't sweat about it.

My story: I used to be 235, 6 feet tall. This was on a very accurate machine. Today I weighed 225 lbs on a very inaccurate machine. I think I might have lost 1-2 lbs genuinely. My legs are firmer and more shapely. And there are clear signs of some slimming action on my back and upper belly. I feel healthier and stronger. I even feel better stability and core muscles feel stronger. I play about 4-5 hours a week right now. Want to increase it to 10 hrs as I gain stamina.

If you know, the heavier you are, the lesser you can exercise. It becomes harder to do harder stuff. But I guess my stamina will keep increasing. Right now I can play an hour at light/standard combos. The 1/8th beat arrows are still tricking me into desperation but there are instances when I can do them. But I just began with 1/8th arrows. I hope I can start doing standard regularly after a few weeks.

My advice: don't injure yourself. Play in limits. Better to be safe. If there is a pain, stop. Proteins seem to help me recover faster.

Hopes/Expectations: I will get better at DDR. Will be doing standard easily in a few weeks. Will be more healthier and on my way to lose weight.

DDR is sooooo much fun! I wish I had some company playing ddr though. But it still is such a good time pass and a feel-good game. Every time I play it, I have a blast.

Adam, you are an inspiration to me.

Hey pplz... ummm yeah i just finished reading everybody's stories and questions and as hopeful as I was before reading this I'm so much more pumped now... but I have a question... ummm... if I'm at most 180 lbs now, I wanna get to down to about at most 140 lbs, and I use DDR for about an hour a day, how long do y'all think it'll take me to get to my goal? It would be awesome if y'all could help me out cuz i really need to cut down... yeah... thanx

Well if you calculate how many calories you burn in an hour (normally) then times that by seven which would get your average calorie-burn for a week. If your average calorie-burn is over 3500 calories (one pound) then you'll be burning over one pound a week. Then, it would take you 40 weeks (nearly ten months) in order for you to get to your goal. Hope this helps!

Which dance mat do you think is the best? The flat mats or is sit worth the $100 - $200 for the more expensive mats?

Well I was already motivated to begin with, but now after reading your stories...I'm gonna be on this EVERY day. My friend got her DDRX2 about a week ago and she kept telling me, "you gotta get this". We're both overweight and wanted to find something we could stick with as far as "exercise". I have to say...THIS IS IT!!! I love it! I just bought mine yesterday, but have already put in several hours. My husband is a US Marine and has decided that he wants to start using this for his morning PT. I'm so glad that I've found something that we can both do and enjoy!! I'm gonna save this site to my favorites so that I can keep reading your successes, and hopefully I'll have my own to post someday in the near future.

This is for anyone whose parents play (like Rosie whose Mom is 50). I'm not 50, but I'm old enough to have kids even though I don't have any, and I have bad knees from martial arts and dance when I was younger.

I'd like to try DDR but from the descriptions it sounds like it's hard on the joints. What do you guys (and girls) do to protect your joints? Is there a lot of jumping up and down involved?

Yes. There are quite a lot of jumping up and down involved, but you can choose different levels of the game to suit you. Choosing the beginner ones don't often include jumps as much as the faster and harder ones do. If you cannot do it, leave it out. At first, my joints and muscles were hurting because my legs were driving to do something different and something demanding, but I read about some stuff on the internet and I used stretching exercises learned at school which helps me with my muscles. I suggest that if anything gets too much for you, just stop, because it is safer that way.

Hi all,
I weigh about 220 and im 5'8. Its not a pretty site. I've tried alot of diets; weight watchers, Abs diet, and that one when you eat pretty much nothing except meat. Non of them have had any effect and i'm very quick to give up on them. I was thinking about buying DDR and these stories really got me pumped to play and lose some weight! I was also wondering how acurate the calorie burning setting on DDR was. Thanks!

-Scott

I got DDR maybe a year ago lost weight from 175-135 then back to 160 in muscle. I can burn about 1300 cal/hour playing constant 9/10 stars. Used to run a mile in 11-12 min now I can easily run one under 6. I never even played for like 6-7 months straight in that period and easily kept the weight off while I concentrated on lifting. 6 pack anyone?

I started playing DDR for weight loss 2 days ago and my legs feel abit sore especially my calves. Is this normal?

Well, back again. I'm feeling good folks. Nothing but compliments at work, and I'm feeling like a whole new person. I'm currently down to 208 lbs. and it's all thanks to DDR. The funny thing is, DDR was basically only a jumping off point to getting into shape again. I have actually taken some time off from the game (2 weeks so far) and have taken up running and swimming instead. Regardless, I think it's amazing that such a simple game has changed my life so dramatically. I'm now truly starting to realize that I WILL (not just a possibility, but a fact) be back to my 160 lb, 5'11 self by next summer, and in better shape than I ever have been, it'll be great. I'll be back in a month or so.

Adam

hey, i'm perfect.hibiscus' friend. i am proud to report that after playing the DDRX2 for only about a week, i've already lost 4lbs. i realize that most of it is just water weight, but it's a start! i love having a fun way to get in shape!

Adam- keep it up bro

Michelle, that's completely normal.

My calves were dying after 3days of heavy playing. Then again, I wasn't very active before my first three, consecutive heavy days of DDR.

I got Dance Dance Revolution because I love to dance, hate the gym, and needed to be active! Since graduating college in May and working 40 hours a week, I've definitely put on some pounds from sitting at my desk all day, then going home and sitting on my couch. I was wondering how the weight loss has been for people who aren't heavier; I would like to lose about 15 lbs, but I'm not overweight. I got DDRX2 on Wednesday and since then I've lost 2 lbs from playing for 4 days for about 2-3 hours each time. Does that seem accurate? Any input would be helpful!

Hi, I am 32 years old, and have 3 children. I managed to get rid of the weight most of the time when I had my kids, but after the last one, my doctor talked me into getting Depo Provera shots, it completely messed up my system.. I gained 30 pounds in less than 6 weeks. It was awful. That has been 7 years ago, and I have progressively gained more weight, even after discontinuing the shots. I weigh more now than I ever had my entire life, and I HATE it. I am only 5' 1 1/2". When I was 20 I wore size 5 jeans, now I wear 13's. I weighed 190 when I started playing DDR 4 days ago. I tried the treadmill (boring & lonely) with some success, but it was hard to stick with it. Now it seems like there is a goal..Trying to get a's is challenging sometimes. I am only up to light mode with a few standard songs. So far it has been great, I actually want to exercise and although my calves are KILLING me, I find it hard to stop,(I usually play at least an hour, and the other night found myself playing for close to 3 hours) I have more energy now too. I've only lost a pound and a half so far, but I think this might really help. I feel so awful about myself now due to all this extra weight, and it seems that posting here, and actually seeing my results might be a big help too. So Im here to say GOOD LUCK to everyone that is trying and I wish you well.

Hey DEN, I have both the regualr mat that comes with the game, and one I bought from EB games it was $109 with a year warranty (that was an extra $20, but worth it because we have had ours and the first one broke after 9 months of playing it, and they replaced it no questions asked) It is padded and it doesn't slide around as much. It makes the impact from jumping around alot easier on all your joints, so you get more play time since it isn't as hard on your body. Hope this helps.

I've had DDR for probably over a year now. I was playing it every day until I got my dog. My dog chewed up my PS2 controller and that's when I put my PS2 away. I just stopped playing with my PS2 totally and started playing online poker. Now, this past month, Everybody has been telling me that I look fat. At first, I was like it's okay, it's kinda funny since I've been skinny all my life. I'm now 23. Maybe my metabolism has slowed down. Yesterday, one of my coworkers who came back from vacation said "You got really fat". She's like the fifth person to tell me this month. Now, I'm gonna start playing DDR again and my dog will have to stay in her cage while I do so. Good luck to you guys.

Adam, I just wanted you to know I am proud of you. I enjoy reading your follow ups. My best friend said she wants one, so I bought her one off of ebay for christmas a few minutes ago. Then I found this site as I was researching it. I read everyone's post's tonight and after reading this, I'll be requesting one from my parents as well. Ty all for such encouraging stories. I'll check in after christmas, let you all know how I am doing and read your updates. I too had grief Adam, and depression had made me gain a lot too. That's why your story stands out to me. I used to perform solo as a guitarist/singer. But my weight has went up so much that I have almost stopped unless resteraunts call me...I hope next season(summer)I will have lost enough weight to get back on stage more confidently. Good luck to all and keep up the success stories, it really encouraged me make a decision tonight :)

Reading all these accounts is so energizing!

I'm at around 145lbs (I've decided to not weigh myself until I'm confident my weight has gone down a bit as to not make myself depressed, haha), 5'7". So, I'm higher than I'd like to be in the 'normal' weight range. I've been down to 130lbs previously, and am looking to get back, or slightly lower (but more likely just 130lbs and toned).
I purchased DDR Max for XBox about a year ago, and after reading all this I've decided to start playing again for about an hour a few times a week as a way to get myself headed in the right direction, coupled with a slightly more sensible diet. I have faith in myself and am very excited to go from my so-so AA's on Light to working my way up through Standard, then to *gasp* Heavy..

Could someone please recommend the best dance mat and system for a 41 year old who is simply looking for a fun and effective way to exercise and loose weight. Thanks.

hi my name is dookie and im down to 0 pounds since playing DDR a month ago!!! u guys rock!!

HEY EVERYONE

SO im not the skinniest person around im 17 and i just want to be thinner. I have been working on it for a long time and i just want to lose a few last pounds but it seems that those are the hardest to lose. Well so what I really want for christmas is DDR. MY neighbor has the game and i am always over their playing it and it is so much fun. After reading all these little comments it really gives me the enthusiasm to lose the last little bit of wait with DDR. I'll keep you guys updated.

Hello everyone, I just bought the DDREx2 yesterday and I love it, i bought it for the fun of it! I saw some kids playing In The Groove 2 at a local bowling alley and they were tearing it up on 10s and 11s, i just thought it looked like fun, so I bought the home version for PS2 I was playing last night, and my mom said, if you keep doing that you will loose a ton of weight. So I am going to keep a little log here every week or so. Just to keep motivated, I have played ITG2 at the arcade so I have some experience and I am playing DDR at home on Heavy and Challenging at 1.5 and 2x, right now, i am at about 280 I am 6'1" and hope to loose about 80 pounds by april or so. I really enjoy reading your guys stories about successful weight loss, I do believe DDR and ITG could be a very simple for Americas obesity problem, So hopefully in a about 6 months i can be one of these success stories and inspire someone. Keep posting everyone and I will do the same. Happy Holidays.

JE

Hey excellent, I find it wonderful that adults play this too. I myself isn't one though, but I just find that pretty interesting. Since elementary I wasn't the thinnest kid, even though my asian figure has cursed me with a petite stature. After going to asia to visit, I meet some pro ddr friends who got me into the game. I came back to Canada 15 lbs lighter after 2 months. I went from 125 down to 110, I stopped playing after coming to Canada, because it wasn't so popular. I joined lots of sports and did weight training everyday, and eventually after only 5 months I scrawnied down to 90 lbs!! Apparently then I was UNDERweight hahaha... then work started at a bakery and its back on.. yeah all 125 lbs. So guess what now? I'm going back to my roots and bought a metal pad on eBay =) plus it'll b easier now since I play on difficult and chanllenge.

Keep up the good fight my fellow ddrers. Don't cut too many calories and make sure to eat healthy, join a sport, and do weight training. Btw now I'm 5"2, 125 lbs, 15 turning 16 in Jan :D

happy holidays!

hi does anyone know if ddr ping pon(table tennis) helps you lose weight?

hello? please help me? i want to know about ddr ping pong

I've been playing DDR for almost a month now, atleast 1 hour everyday on light/standard, and ive only lost like 4 or5 lbs. Can anyone tell me what i'm doing wrong?

And what the hell is DDR ping pong? If its anything like regular ping pong, then no, you probably wont lose weight.

ddr ping pong is where you have a paddle that senses your arm movement and the court is on tv.

i dont think there's any way you can lose weight playing DDR ping pong. The best you might do is build up your biceps and triceps.

ok so its been about a week, i have quit playing DDR at home, at least until a get a metal pad, but i have been going to the arcade and playing ITG2, i do at least an hour session a day, and a monday/wednsday/fridays I do a crazy 2 hour session playing doubles with the crazy kid that plays on expert, i like playing doubles with someone better cause it keeps you motivated and you dont have to worry about failing, along with a reduced calorie diet i have shed 11 pounds in a week, mostly water, but the main benefit is i have so much more energy, I really have something to look forward to every day, and I have quit smoking,I have went from mostly c's and d's on easy to a's and b's on all the mediums, except the fast shit like energizer, monlith and vertex. But i am definately improving very quickly. I love it. I just cant wait until my afterburner comes in the mail, then i will really step it up. Take care everyone. Happy Holidays.

JE