RedOctane Pushes DDR For Weight Loss Market

If it works, do it... by Godeke · 2004-01-22 08:13 · Score: 4, Insightful

So what if it is less than selfless? With the American (and apparently from more recent data Europe is starting this tend) weights going out of control, anything that helps someone get started on weight loss is a good thing. The trick to weight loss is finding things you can live with: starving yourself only causes short term gains with long term rebounds that push you into even heavier territory. I personally dropped 25 pounds and went from a 28 to 23% bodyfat by:

#1 Finding exercise I would do. In my case, an indoor rockclimbing gym provides my workout, and a good puzzle for the mind as well. BTW, exercise itself doesn't cause weight loss, but will help you keep weight off and muscle helps you burn more calories even when at rest.

#2 Finding replacement foods. This means examining everything you eat. Replace the fast food hamburger with a 6" sub to start. Find a place with a salad bar. Get a "light" cooking book. Some of the stuff is horrible, but you will find a dish here, a dish there, that works.

#3 Change your routines. If you have a habit of snacking to give yourself a break, find something else to do during breaktime. I personally have a gameboy with puzzle games on it that can be played in 5-10 minutes. Makes for a great break without attacking the snack machine.

I applaud anyone who can figure a way to make a profit while bringing waistlines back under control. Weight induced illness is more likely than cancer to strike you if you get heavy, and can cause diabetic conditions, heart conditions and generally won't get you the girl/guy of your dreams. If playing DDR can get you healthy, high end DDR pads are cheaper than bypass surgery...

--
Sig under construction since 1998.

Re:If it works, do it... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-22 08:37 · Score: 0

This is something I always find hilarious. People always say "just start excercising to lose weight and get in shape". I hate to break this to people but when you're four hundred pounds or more, you CAN'T excercise. You don't fit on any workout equipment and you probably can't even walk for more than five minutes.
Re:If it works, do it... by Tyrdium · 2004-01-22 08:43 · Score: 1

#4 Read the labels. Before you buy that candy bar or bag of chips, check the nutritional information. You'll be suprised at the number of calories (or amount of saturated fat and cholesterol) in most of the junk people eat. If you make checking the label a habit (and acting on it, of course; don't eat that box of cookies when you already know it's got 500 calories), you'll find that you'll start eating much healthier things. Want a bag of chips? Try some Chex Mix instead. Chocolate? Get a bar of dark; it's got less saturated fat and cholesterol, and probably less calories. A microwave bag of full butter popcorn is a heck of a lot worse for you than a bag with light butter, or homemade popcorn (kettle corn is good, and is pretty much fat-free).
Re:If it works, do it... by eggstasy · 2004-01-22 08:56 · Score: 1

I weigh over 250 pounds, and I'm currently trying to lose weight. I have a crappy old exercise bicycle which is way too small for my height (I think its actually designed for women) and VERY uncomfortable. I try to do 10 miles a day but its a pain in the ass. Literally. The seat is horrible!
Aside from that, it's horribly dull. I gained this weight because I spend the whole day sitting on a very comfortable rocking chair, in front of my computer. If only I had some way of hacking my bike to interface with the computer and, say, control the speed in car games, or something like that.
If people are to ever lose weight, losing weight needs to be made more easy, cheap and above all FUN, as in more fun than sitting in front of the TV or computer.
I wholeheartedly applaud anyone using DDR to lose weight, and look forward to more exercising games.
Bring the gym into the arcade!
Re:If it works, do it... by Stubtify · 2004-01-22 09:00 · Score: 3, Insightful

The advice is to work out before you are too large to fit on a bike, but it works just as well for even larger people. Consult a doctor, but even 400 pound people can do water aerobics, which is zero impact. Don't come up with a cop out like "I'm too big to work out"
Re:If it works, do it... by RubiX^3 · 2004-01-22 09:04 · Score: 4, Informative

Yeah, but you don't wake up one morning after a visit from the fat fairy, 250 pounds overweight. if you get to that size, it IS your fault. you can say "oh my metabolism, my glands, my genes." my ass, shut up. if you are 400 pounds you just didn't care to do anything about it while you were at 250, 300, 350 pounds.

Solution: start walking UNTIL you can walk for more than 5 minutes, then work up to 6 minutes. eventually you'll work up your way up to 10 minutes. hooray. and so on.

funny thing about exercise, the more you need it the harder it is to do it. but movement is exercise, keep moving and you'll eventually stop being fat. get the fuck off your chair, go outside and walk around on the grass, skip the after dinner twinkie, park a few spaces farther than you need to, don't take the elevator for less than 2 floors, go to your local fitness palce and aqua-size! AQUASIZE MOTHERFUCKER AQUASIZE!!

get creative.

exercising is not easy or fun, but you can trick yourself into thinking so.

i was overweight at one point, not 400 pounds or anything cuz.. goddamn 400 pounds and holding or rising is just apathy-- but yeah i was like 200 some odd pounds when i was in middle school and that's not socially fun. i was fat and tired. but i kept moving, swimming, running, whatever. i wish i had ddr and pump it up back then to get me in the shape i am now.

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-=o
Re:If it works, do it... by Neop2Lemus · 2004-01-22 09:17 · Score: 1

Let me recommend spending $350.00 (USD) on a decent bike. You can loose alot of weight just biking around and enjoying the scenery. I know it only works for 3/4 of the year though (winter is out). But, you're just gonna do yourself an injury if you stay on a bike thats' not suited to your body. I'd get off it asap.
My own personal favorite machine is a rowing machine like these. You don't need one near as expensive though, just make sure its got the fan. It builds the body and acts as a cardio machine. The only thing better than it is swimming.

--
Needle Nardle Noo
Re:If it works, do it... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-22 09:33 · Score: 0

Definitely agree. Another item to look at is added sugar. It's amazing how much hidden sugar is in processed foods. For example, two slices of bread has one spoon of sugar. Many canned goods, like spaghetti or ravioli, often have 3 to 5 spoons of sugar. Here's some good articles to read about the sugar epidemic.
Re:If it works, do it... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-22 09:40 · Score: 0

I know it only works for 3/4 of the year though (winter is out).
Bah! The best time of the year to bike!
Re:If it works, do it... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-22 09:44 · Score: 0

Fat isn't as bad as everyone thinks (except for maybe those transfats, but I have to look into those). Sugar and carbohydrates are worse because they screw with insulin production and insulin basically regulates when our body feels hungry or not. So eating sugar and carbs will eventually leave a person feeling more hungry because their insulin has been interferred with.
Re:If it works, do it... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-22 09:44 · Score: 2, Funny

I am intrigued by this "fat fairy"'s ideas and wish to subscribe to her newsletter.
Re:If it works, do it... by Rob+Parkhill · 2004-01-22 10:16 · Score: 1

You want to have a bike workout video game? Well, here ya go!

Not bad for under $120, assuming you have a decent bike and a PS2 to go with it.

--
"Tomorrow's forecast: a few sprinkles of genius with a chance of doom!" - Stewie Griffin
Re:If it works, do it... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-22 10:20 · Score: 0

You have a point there. I caught my self when I reached 320 lbs. I was like no way I'm reaching the 400 lb cause I'll become hopeless. I started walking, riding a stationary bike and eating right. I dropped to 290 within 6 weeks. Next I started a more rigorous program which included walking 3 miles a day, lifting weights 5 times a week, and biking 10 miles 3 times a week. Within 4 months I dropped to 240 lbs.

Now I'm muscular, toned and at 6'5" and 225 lbs I'm gorgeous...hell, I started to notice all these chicks starring at me. It feels good.

You have to catch yourself before you balloon. You really have to want it or it doesn't work.
Re:If it works, do it... by Loualbano2 · 2004-01-22 11:10 · Score: 3, Insightful

As far as replacement food goes, I have one thing to add to your post.

All of us geeks like caffeine to get motivated in the morning, during work, etc. A lot of guys I know get this through Mountain Dew or Jolt or coffee.

My suggestion is switching to unsweetened iced tea, or black coffee. Soda and non black coffee obvoiusly have lots of sugar in them, and as far as trying to stay thin goes, processed sugar is the worst food you can eat. Also, unsweetened iced tea has no calories and black coffee has very few.

Let's say a typical can of soda has 150 calories. Let's say you cut three cans out of your day and replace it with something with no calories. That's 450 calories that you lost right away. To lose one pound, they say you have to either cut out or burn 3600 calories. So in under 10 days you will have lost a pound, just from not drinking 3 sodas.

Also, sugar creates an insulin rush, that when you come down from makes your metabolism take a crap, which is probably right around the same time the caffiene wears off. This is not good for trying stay thin.

-ft
Re:If it works, do it... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-22 13:59 · Score: 0

Just about everyone can do some sort of free weight exercises.
Re:If it works, do it... by ianmorris · 2004-01-22 16:47 · Score: 1

you caould try diet soda or getting caffine in pill form

--
i am the self-proclaimed king of free stuff
Re:If it works, do it... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-23 01:09 · Score: 0

Damn, boy, you are a dipshit.

I am 420lbs (plus at 6' 5" tall and a big frame, so my ideal lbs is about 300 according to the doc) right now and walk 2.5 miles in 30 minutes every day (have for the last six years). Tell me, you do the math, how it is possible when I do that kind of work (5 mph) EVERY DAY carrying that kind of weight that I wouldn't loose it if there wasn't some "oh my metabolism, my glands, my genes." problem (moving that kind of weight at that kind of speed definately burns some calories). Plus, it's not like I pork out on the food. Normal lunch and dinner, that's it.

Christ, you 'skinnies' and your high and mighty attitude. Screw off and go preach to another chorus.

So, Mr. Jerk Off, since you have all the answers, where does one go from here?
Re:If it works, do it... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-23 10:42 · Score: 0

Gee, here's a novel concept: Why not try increasing the frequency, intensity and/or time? Your body adapts to whatever exercise your doing (especially after SIX YEARS! of doing the exact same thing!) and you have to rountinely make it harder for yourself to keep seeing results. BTW, walking for a half hour at 5mph is probably only about 2 sodas worth of calories. Hardly a marathon.

but you'll gain it all back . . . by Leroy_Brown242 · 2004-01-22 08:15 · Score: 1

. . when girls realise how you excersize, and never go on second dates with you. :)

I'm sticking to the strict regimine of sex.

--
Pretty Pictures!

Re:but you'll gain it all back . . . by kryptoknight · 2004-01-22 08:34 · Score: 1

personally I've lost the 15 lbs that I've gained over the holiday at the same time that I started playing DDR and becoming good at it. oh wait... maybe it's the reminine of sex as well ;-).
Re:but you'll gain it all back . . . by mr.capaneus · 2004-01-22 09:10 · Score: 1

I have never before seen the word regimen butchered so ruthlessly in my life.
Re:but you'll gain it all back . . . by Kirsha · 2004-01-22 12:03 · Score: 1

Shows how little you know. Girls LOVE DDR.
Re:but you'll gain it all back . . . by Leroy_Brown242 · 2004-01-22 12:09 · Score: 1

I date girls that engage thier minds, not relax them.

--
Pretty Pictures!
Re:but you'll gain it all back . . . by Kirsha · 2004-01-22 13:52 · Score: 1

Poor of them then, if they never relax their minds.

Thanks, but... by TheSHAD0W · 2004-01-22 08:16 · Score: 2, Funny

...I lost my coordination about a hundred pounds ago.

Re:Thanks, but... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-22 08:22 · Score: 1, Informative

um, yeah... that's why start out with slow songs until you start gaining it back...

Huh. by KyolFrilander · 2004-01-22 08:23 · Score: 3, Interesting

Funny, I started doing the same thing just recently after I found out how much it made my pasty overweight geek ass sweat while playing it at a friend's house. Too soon to tell if I'll lose any weight, but eh, it's fun, it's relatively easy, and it does get the heart rate up, if nothing else. If the $99 RedOctane DDR pads are too spendy for you, Buy N Shop or Level Six both sell knockoffs for half the price, and they're identical, from reviews.

More information at Stepmania - even more if they ever get their board back from ddrmaniax.

--
Buddha says, "Shut your karma hole."

Re:Huh. by Cuthalion · 2004-01-22 08:48 · Score: 3, Interesting

My advice is: Get a cheapo pad. Play some. Decide if it's something you're going to keep playing for a long time. If it is, it's well worth the money to buy a metal pad. Both Red Octane's and Cobalt Flux's are excellent, if expensive.

The soft pads will break after heavy use. They also are less accurate and will piss you off when you start to get good, which you will do if you keep at it.

I wasted a lot of time and money on soft and semi-soft pads. Now I have some Cobalt Fluxes (the red octane metal pads weren't available when I bought mine) and they are consistently a delight to play on, after 6 months of heavy use by a 100 kilo guy.

--
Trees can't go dancing
So do them a big favor
Pretend dancing stinks!
Re:Huh. by Flunitrazepam · 2004-01-22 08:52 · Score: 2, Insightful

Just remember man, physical health has to be approach with a one-two method... you can do all the excersize in the world but if you don't consider your intake you aren't going to get far.

--
1) Your analysis is based on bad assumptions so your result is way off. 2) You're a sick bastard for fucking a horse.
Re:Huh. by KyolFrilander · 2004-01-22 09:06 · Score: 1

Yeah, I'm planning on putting the money aside for either a RO hardpad (and fixing it before it fails) or a CF, rather than pissing away $50 per shot on the softpads. But through a shipping fluke, I find myself in posession of 3 softpads, and I don't have enough space for doubles, so I should have the softpads for a while yet. I figure if 6 months from now I'm still dancing for 45-60 minutes per day, $299 is cheap for a CF.

($90 _was_ cheap for a pair of semisofts, considering I was in the middle of a MAME Cab upgrade orgy.)

--
Buddha says, "Shut your karma hole."
Re:Huh. by oskillator · 2004-01-22 09:13 · Score: 2

The knockoffs are not quite identical: the foam padding is of much lower quality.
But in any case, the RedOctane Ignition and clones are only good for about 200 hours of serious use before they break down. Unless you're strapped for cash or are going to be moving around a lot, I recommend going straight from the cheap pads to the $200 RedOctane Metal, which lasts essentially forever.
Oh, and regarding Level Six, they took my money in October for a ~$75 order and never sent me a goddamn thing, including a reply to any of my email after November. Real professional, those guys.
Re:Huh. by KyolFrilander · 2004-01-22 10:35 · Score: 2

I'm under the impression from the various 3rd party reviews I've seen that the only knockoffs that have the cheaper foam are the ebay 2-for-$35 semisofts and the cheaper levelsix models, but the L6 3.1 and the BNS DX-Ultra are both the relative equal of the RO.

And doesn't the RO hardpad still need ter's MMB fixes to keep it from croaking eventually?

--
Buddha says, "Shut your karma hole."
Re:Huh. by chaoaretasty · 2004-01-23 00:14 · Score: 1

My local gameshop (gamestation if you're in the UK) was doing Logic 3 foam pads for 20 and from what I can tell the only thing it's missing compared to the RedOctane pad is the raised sensors. The important thing is the thick foam stuff, which it has.
Re:Huh. by mESSDan · 2004-01-23 04:19 · Score: 2, Funny

The soft pads will break after heavy use.
Isn't that the whole point of the article? *grin*

--

-- Dan

Do the Rave Stomp by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-22 08:25 · Score: 0

The neighbours downstairs won't be very if a 300-pound person plays DDR everyday...

stomp stomp stomp

Re:Do the Rave Stomp by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-22 08:32 · Score: 0

That's something, too. You'll notice that chick on the site with the before/after pictures was only 235lbs. I sincerely doubt this would work for someone who was 300, 400 or even 500lbs.

handle fat people? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-22 08:27 · Score: 0

I've actually thought about doing this myself. I'm obese. Not overweight or fat. I'm obese. I probably weigh about 500lbs. Almost 300lbs of that has been packed on in the last eight years (since entering a career where I sit and punch in code on a computer 16+ hours a day every day of the week).

However, I can't imagine any piece of videogame hardware like this that would somehow be capable of handling 500lbs standing cautiously on it. Much less 500lbs jumping up and down on a small pad with hallowed-out blocks filled with neon lights. Why invest in a game like this - even for weight loss - if your weight is probably going to break it in the first three minutes?

Re:handle fat people? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-22 09:33 · Score: 0

Soft ddr pads use a different type of sensing mechanism that isn't going to break due to weight. The pad might break from contacts getting dirty or wearing out.
Re:handle fat people? by Sinistar2k · 2004-01-23 02:18 · Score: 1

Soft pads are typically rated at a max weight of 200 pounds. This isn't to say it won't work, but the pads will wear out quickly (some anecdotal evidence to confirm this exists over at the DDRFreak forums).
Anyone above 300 pounds who is looking to exercise with DDR can do one of three things:
1) Purchase a Cobalt Flux hard pad - their claim to faim is that they ran over their pad with an SUV and it still worked just fine
2) Purchase a knock-off hard pad (MyMyBox, Red Octane's hard pads) or build your own (Google for DDRHomepad).
3) Dance with DDR, but not on the pad itself. Throw the game into Workout or Training mode, where you can't fail out of a song. Then, while the song is playing, do the moves on your floor but not on the pad until such time as your weight comes down enough to use the pad itself. This isn't as fun, and makes DDR more like an aerobics video, but it works.
I've been using DDR for a workout for only two months now and while I haven't lost a ton of weight, my health overall has improved (I used to get frequent back pain, but that has gone away).
Good luck to anyone who decides to go for it.

My girlfriend is doing it CAUSE she saw it on MTV by falcon5768 · 2004-01-22 08:27 · Score: 2, Interesting

in there top 20 games of all time deal, they talked about the weightloss benifits of doing DDR... well my girlfriend, game freak she is, but not really into jogging and stuff, saw that.. she went out bought 2 pads AND the game to play at home. I will put a website up in a few months to tell yolu guys if she lost any weight or not.

--

"Slashdot, where telling the truth is overrated but lying is insightful."

when I trained for cycling by xutopia · 2004-01-22 08:29 · Score: 1

I wanted to be able to go head to head with other people around the world on a stationary bike fitted to calculate my wattage output against my weight, taking into account my speed and what wind force I'd have to work against. I'm still waiting. I'd take any /. on any day! ;)

Re:when I trained for cycling by Stubtify · 2004-01-22 09:04 · Score: 1

I always said that a great way to use prison inmates is to hook them up to workout bikes and use those bikes to generate electricity into the power grid. Maybe you could compete against them in a "Prison yard rules" match.
Re:when I trained for cycling by LanceArmstron · 2004-01-22 09:33 · Score: 1

I'll take that challenge! Cheers, Lance lance@usps.gov
Re:when I trained for cycling by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-22 10:01 · Score: 0

You might wanna spell your name right Lance.
Re:when I trained for cycling by Rob+Parkhill · 2004-01-22 10:30 · Score: 1

I think that iFIT.com actually has stationairy bike races through their website. Not sure if they still do this, or how often it happens, though.

You gotta use IE to see the site, though.

--
"Tomorrow's forecast: a few sprinkles of genius with a chance of doom!" - Stewie Griffin

Re:My girlfriend is doing it CAUSE she saw it on M by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-22 08:30 · Score: 0

I bet if she keeps it up, pretty soon you'll be able to find the 'joystick port' there in those former folds of jiggly fat.'

I have to admit.... by corpsiclex · 2004-01-22 08:31 · Score: 1

if these numbers are true i'll disappear before long and there wont be much i can do about it. Smoking - the most addictive weight loss strategy? WRONG! In comes Dance Dance Revolution. Note to anyone who tries ddr specifically lose weight: Go with DDR Ultramix for Xbox. Its full of speed mixes and really hard stuff, should lose you weight faster.

--

eBayDig 1s a typo saerch engien

cost / benefit ratio by theMerovingian · 2004-01-22 08:33 · Score: 4, Insightful

Those high end pads are only a couple hundred bucks - much cheaper than home fitness equipment. If you think this is fun, and have the discipline, go for it.

I prefer to spend $30/month on a gym membership. You get numerous cardio machines, free weights, weight lifting machines, and often aerobics/yoga/kickboxing thrown into the mix.

Ultimately, it's about having discipline and consistency. No matter how much money you spend or don't spend.

To quote Arnold:
I've never paid for a push-up or a sit-up in my life.

--
"If you think you have things under control, you're not going fast enough." --Mario Andretti

Re:cost / benefit ratio by corpsiclex · 2004-01-22 08:37 · Score: 1

I got a mad catz knock-off ddr pad for thirty bucks and its perfectly adequite. Preowned Xbox - $140 Dance Dance Revolution Ultramix - $30 Mat Catz DDR Dance Pad - $30 Respect at arcades and LAN parties...priceless. Also - humiliating my enemies. Priceless. :)

--

eBayDig 1s a typo saerch engien
Re:cost / benefit ratio by KyolFrilander · 2004-01-22 08:39 · Score: 1

The most expensive home equipment is the CobaltFlux hard pad, cheap at only $299 per, or $580 for 2!

(And I'm actually considering one. *sigh*)

--
Buddha says, "Shut your karma hole."
Re:cost / benefit ratio by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-22 08:42 · Score: 0

If you're a little overweight, gyms are fine.

You are not going to get a self-concious, embarrassed, humilatied *obese* person to go to a gym. After a certain weight, you are afraid to leave your house. And it builds up into a self-repeating circle.
Re:cost / benefit ratio by kryptoknight · 2004-01-22 08:45 · Score: 1

"Ultimately, it's about having discipline and consistency. No matter how much money you spend or don't spend."

I concur. I also think that like going to the gym, it's funner when you have a buddy to go with. DDR is alot funner with two or more dancepads (xbox version supports 4).

It takes me about an hour or so to go through most the songs (skipping a few) on light level for ultramix. Keeping it consistent. I don't think my neighbors downstairs like me a lot now though. lol.
Re:cost / benefit ratio by YomikoReadman · 2004-01-22 09:24 · Score: 2, Informative

RedOctane has a metal pad they just started selling @ $200 bucks. They will even bundle in a copy of DDRMax2 for 20 bucks or so, IIRC.
To top it off, it comes with a conversion box, so if a buddy feels like getting a real good work hauling his XBox over, you can plug that into the same pad for some DDR UltraMix action.

--
I have no regrets, this is the only path.
My whole life has been "UNLIMITED BLADE WORKS"
Re:cost / benefit ratio by Serra · 2004-01-22 09:29 · Score: 1

I bought a cobalt flux in November. It works much better than the soft pads. My husband and I really debated getting it because it cost so much, but I am very happy we did 'cause we still use it almost every day. I love it!

DDR Freak has a nice forum about the pros and cons of the various metal pads.
Re:cost / benefit ratio by Cuthalion · 2004-01-22 10:01 · Score: 1

I love my Cobalt Flux dance pads! I've had them since early August.

--
Trees can't go dancing
So do them a big favor
Pretend dancing stinks!
Re:cost / benefit ratio by HalB · 2004-01-22 17:16 · Score: 1

We had the black hard plastic pads from Red Octane. Under fairly light use, they didn't hold up too well, buttons stopped working, etc. Of course, we have some ~250lb people playing at times, and you could hear the pads crackin'.

We got the cobaltflux pads (after gulping down on that price tag) and they are awesome. Haven't had any problems with them yet. They always come out at any party we ever have at our house.

And yes, you can work up a serious sweat using them. 8')

I can see how... by mewyn · 2004-01-22 08:34 · Score: 2, Funny

One of my ex-girlfriends once dragged me on DDR. Oh how I sucked at it, but it did give me one heck of a workout. I strangely had fun playing it, but boy was I embarrased at my lack of rythim. And, the next day I was quite sore :)

Mewyn Dy'ner

You can dance under Linux, too by Pegasus · 2004-01-22 08:34 · Score: 3, Informative

See PyDDR. Prebuilt for most of the popular distributions, requires some work to get it working from scratch. Hook your pad (or two) to your PC with the help of a $15 adapter and you're ready to go. Song collections can be found all over the net.

Re:You can dance under Linux, too by akejay · 2004-01-22 13:02 · Score: 1

See www.stepmania.com - they have one of the smoothest DDR-style games out there. The Mac OS X port seems to work just as well as the Windows port. Hopefully the Linux port is just as well-evolved.

--
one, two, one two like a duck

built-in scale by kryptoknight · 2004-01-22 08:39 · Score: 1

With the ddr games you have to manually enter in your own weight and keep track of it youself via scales in the bathroom and input the data change back into the game. well at least with the Ultramix version for the xbox.

It would be a cool feature if these high-end redoctane metal pads have built-in weight scales similarly to the high-end gym equipments.

Re:built-in scale by Sinistar2k · 2004-01-23 02:21 · Score: 1

So keep a scale right next to your dance pad.

Problem solved?
Re:built-in scale by Empty_One · 2004-01-23 03:12 · Score: 1

Or, you could just walk over to the scale on the other side of the house, and think of it as more exercise!

With Linux? by jeremy_dot · 2004-01-22 08:41 · Score: 1

If you could create/connect a DDR pad keyboard to your computer, and made people use it... people would have to play it well. That'd give "Mario Teaches Typing" a whole new twist.

Another two cents by Elwood+P+Dowd · 2004-01-22 08:46 · Score: 3, Funny

A friend of mine used to go jogging every day. He eventually screwed up his knee (shocker). He might be able to get his knee fixed, but he can't afford proper medical care. In the mean time, his knee isn't effected by DDR playing.

He goes crazy without excercise, and now he gets his sanity from DDR. Every day. For a few hours. He loves that shit. It's particularly funny to me 'n' the rest of his friends just because he's the opposite of a video game type person, and he used to continually mock the asia-phile mallrats that typically play the game.

--

There are no trails. There are no trees out here.

Double Data Rate? by scumdamn · 2004-01-22 08:48 · Score: 5, Funny

I was wondering how sending data on both the rising and falling edges of a clock cycle would help me lose weight. I figured RDRAM would make me fat, but I couldn't see Double Data Rate actually helping me shed the pounds.

Re:Double Data Rate? by stoolpigeon · 2004-01-22 09:36 · Score: 1

That's funny as hell. Don't let the lack of moderation get you to think otherwise.

--
It's hard to believe that's how Micronians are made. Why don't we see it right now by having you both kiss one another?

I JUST HAD AN AWESOME IDEA!!! by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-22 08:51 · Score: 0

I'm building a mythtv box after I get my tax return. It's already gonna be a PVR, jukebox, dvd player/burner, game system (NES & SNES emulators), web browser, etc... might as well figure out a way to stick pyddr in there somehow!

Re:I JUST HAD AN AWESOME IDEA!!! by Pegasus · 2004-01-22 09:32 · Score: 1

Yup, it's actualy a SDL output ... so if you can put SDL on the tv screen, you can have pyddr on tv too.

I have a dxr3 equipped box for these things and what you know, there was a sdl patch for dxr3 driver floating around once ...

few thoughts by kisrael · 2004-01-22 08:52 · Score: 1

-not the best chosen before/after pictures. At least the before...she doesn't look like a 230lb-er

-3 hours a day? Yikes, I'm a little less impressed w/ the power of the DDR power. Who the hell has that kind of time?

-also, there's a big difference between the arcade mode most people play and even the lighter 'workout' modes, at least on the DDR pads I have...the latter is much tougher to keep up with

--
SO YOU'RE GOING TO DIE: The Comic for Dealing with Death

Re:few thoughts by svallarian · 2004-01-22 10:08 · Score: 1

Yeah, did you notice in the before pictures it looks like she's EATING something out of a green bowl ??

No wonder she lost weight.

--
I patented screwing your mom. But it got revoked for "prior art."
Re:few thoughts by Enucite · 2004-01-22 10:56 · Score: 1

Yeah no doubt.
Those green bowls make you FAT!
That's why I stick to the red and beige ones. ;)

Re:Not exactly true... by ReyTFox · 2004-01-22 08:55 · Score: 1

I know for a fact that on a real arcade stage(which is usually a grade above even the high-end home ones for sale) even people 300+ pounds can play. Dunno about 400+ though ;)

Also, the cheapo mats(which have absoutely nothing to crush in them except the sensors, and those will take quite a bit wouldn't break if a heavy person stepped on them. The only danger with the cheap ones is that they can tear and get folded and crushed etc., which won't start to be a problem until you reach advanced levels of course ^.^

More about MTV and Team Seattle by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-22 08:55 · Score: 1, Interesting

If you want a more balanced view, there's an interesting bit where she asks her Team Seattle about the MTV show and asks them how much weight they've lost.

More calories and more fun than jogging by Cecil · 2004-01-22 08:56 · Score: 1

... but not more calories burned nor more useful, nor is it even more fun in my opinion, than cycling.

It may not be feasable for everyone, but cycling has replaced my car (and saved me a metric assload of money as well). This is in Calgary, a city with very cold winters and serious urban sprawl going on, although it also has an excellent public transit/bike path system.

Anyway, it's just a thought. There are some excellent bike-commuting solutions out there. It's excellent exercise, good for the environment, and cheap as heck.

--
Random and weird software I've written.

Re:More calories and more fun than jogging by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-22 09:33 · Score: 0

Do you have snow tires on your bike or something? I live in Victoria where a lot of people bike everywhere but I can't imagine Calgary!
Re:More calories and more fun than jogging by stoolpigeon · 2004-01-22 09:44 · Score: 1

Here is my issue with the exercise while you commute option: sweat. If you have facilities to shower when you get to work then it would be good. Of course this also depends on the commute being the correct length. Not too long, not too short.

But on a side note. You may burn more calories doing this dance thing than you do jogging- but not more than running. Jogging is o.k. if you are just getting started, but as your fitness level increases and you move to running- the benefits increase.

--
It's hard to believe that's how Micronians are made. Why don't we see it right now by having you both kiss one another?
Re:More calories and more fun than jogging by KyolFrilander · 2004-01-22 10:18 · Score: 1

Baby wipes. No, I'm not kidding. It's like a shower in a box. Get to work, wipe the grit off, apply more deodorant, and you're fine. Works like a charm for me on my 10 mile commute. I _think_ it's because in the morning, after your morning shower, you're already fresh and clean and by wiping off the sweat as soon as you can it doesn't have a chance to get stinky.

The biggest downside is having a tub labelled Huggies in your desk. They've started making non-baby themed wipes, but last I saw they were also more expensive.

The other big hitch is clothing if you work somewhere that's concerned about that sort of thing. There are various ways around this, too, if you're willing.

--
Buddha says, "Shut your karma hole."
Re:More calories and more fun than jogging by LordNimon · 2004-01-22 10:39 · Score: 1

Baby wipes. No, I'm not kidding. It's like a shower in a box. Get to work, wipe the grit off, apply more deodorant, and you're fine.
That only works for people who stop sweating after they stop exercising. That's not me. I usually need to cool down for at least 20 minutes before I stop sweating.

--
And the men who hold high places must be the ones who start
To mold a new reality... closer to the heart
Re:More calories and more fun than jogging by Cecil · 2004-01-22 13:19 · Score: 1

Do you have snow tires on your bike or something?

Though they are available I don't use them personally. Calgary, while cold, is also remarkably dry. When we do get snow, it rarely lasts more than a day on a surface that is travelled even remotely often. Once the snow is pounded into slush, it's absorbed in short order by the dry air and becomes dry pavement. (This is merely my observations compared to other places I've lived, and is not scientific in any way)

Besides, cycling on snow/ice/slush isn't really that hard if you're slow and careful about it. Admittedly becomes messier and much slower, though. I would generally work from home on days like that. :)

--
Random and weird software I've written.

I've been trying this kind of. by Cuthalion · 2004-01-22 08:58 · Score: 2, Interesting

I have been playing DDR for an hour or an hour and a half each day. Partially for exercise but mostly because it's fun. My weight hasn't diminished by much I believe (I weigh about 220 pounds. at 6'2" I am not concerned about this to own a scale.)

However, I have noticed that I feel significantly better and have way more energy. I am a pretty active guy (snowboarding, hiking, etc), but I've never got exercise with this kind of regularity before (even when I was fencing competitively in high school, I only trained three times a week). When I do it makes a huge difference.

--
Trees can't go dancing
So do them a big favor
Pretend dancing stinks!

Re:I've been trying this kind of. by truffle · 2004-01-22 11:43 · Score: 1

Working out will help you lose weight much better if you do some kind of diet.

Working out + diet = the ultimately 2 step combo

--

---
I support spreading santorum

Ignition Pad availabilty and a Grain of Salt by robbway · 2004-01-22 09:01 · Score: 3, Interesting

I play DDR. I lost 60 lbs over 7 months. I stopped playing DDR, I gained 30 over 6 months. You definitely have to align your activity level, and it's a myth that you gain faster than you lose. You can lose weight more quickly and at a heatly rate. Anyway, I'm highly qualified to comment on this topic.

Here's my grain of salt: you play 3 songs in 6 minutes because of the selection process, load times, etc. That's actually 30 songs and roughly equates to 30*16= 480 calories. You actually lose more if you're a beginner, because you make missteps. And, if you're using diet mode, don't use official steps, as it only counts correct arrows pressed. Use the default, all steps mode. If your leg moves, count it!

I'd also say that a typical cookie box has more than 500 calories. Much more. Much, much more.

Now, I have no experience with the latest Ignition pads. I do know they're available at EB and Gamestop. I know they're considered the best of the soft pads. But be warned! Every soft pad has a limited lifespan. When one arrow stops working, the rest of the pad is useless.

Three things to counter this: Use stocking feet, place the pad on top of something immobile and soft, and never ever fold it once unfolded. Keep it under the bed or behind the sofa. You will also have a much easier time if you immobilize the pad with velcro (the hooks side) on carpet or taped down by corners.

Ignition pads are the same size as arcade platform, while the bundle pack by Konami's pad is actually thinner. You can apply your home skills at the arcade, though you may be surprised at the faster response time and meaner judging of PERFECT, GREAT, GOOD, etc. at the arcade.

Oh yeah, if you play for an hour, have a towel handy and a lot of water.

Re:Ignition Pad availabilty and a Grain of Salt by c_jonescc · 2004-01-22 10:11 · Score: 2, Informative

Point of argument:

Working out in stocking feet may increase the lifetime of the pad, but it's hell on your body.

All impact activity should be done with proper arch support. It is pretty easy to destroy your arches, and develop long-term lower leg pains from improper footwear.

Anytime you're jumping up and down, or running, for long periods you need to be wearing good shoes for the activity - this goes doubly if you're overweight!

--
Getting diabetes AND salmonella would be a bad weekend.
Re:Ignition Pad availabilty and a Grain of Salt by Cutriss · 2004-01-22 13:14 · Score: 1

And, if you're using diet mode, don't use official steps, as it only counts correct arrows pressed. Use the default, all steps mode. If your leg moves, count it!

You're confused.

The game will only count correct steps if you're playing in "Regulation Mode", which is selectable in the Options menu. Otherwise, it'll count calories regardless of whether or not your steps are correct.

Whether or not you use official steps (as opposed to Edit Data) has nothing to do with it. I think you just got confused.

You actually lose more if you're a beginner, because you make missteps.

I also question this - it depends on your skill level. Yes, at first, you'll lose more, since everyone starts out trying to stick to the middle square, and so they shift weight and change feet a lot. However, once you've gotten good enough to do, say, Dynamite Rave on Light/Basic, you should've moved beyond that habit.

And once you've passed 5-footers, the burn rate goes even higher. Your generalization could lead someone to think that it's not ever worth it to do a Paranoia or Max300, which simply is not the case.

Now, I have no experience with the latest Ignition pads. I do know they're available at EB and Gamestop. I know they're considered the best of the soft pads. But be warned! Every soft pad has a limited lifespan. When one arrow stops working, the rest of the pad is useless.

From what I've heard, if you take out the foam inserts and replace it with another material (like an eggshell foam mat or something), they'll be much more durable. I dunno myself - I had two softpads that died quickly, spent a while in the arcade, and then just got a pair of RedOctane metal pads over Christmas after having tried them at a convention. They're built like tanks.

--
"Mod, mod, mod...and another troll bites the dust."
Re:Ignition Pad availabilty and a Grain of Salt by Sinistar2k · 2004-01-23 02:26 · Score: 1

I ran into this problem when I first started DDR as a workout. To fix it, I ran out to the local Pep Boys and picked up some interlocking padded shop floor squares - they come in a pack of four and are a perfect size for a DDR pad (leaving room all around the edges for missteps).

Since using those, I have had no problems with sore feet. They absorb nearly all of the shock and have held up well over the past two months.
Re:Ignition Pad availabilty and a Grain of Salt by robbway · 2004-01-23 02:55 · Score: 1

Thanks, I was a little confused because I didn't have the game in front of me and couldn't remember what the modes were called (read: Slashdotting at work). To be honest, I need to use diet mode now more than ever!

Paranoia variations (with the exception of Paranoia Survivor) are extremely vital to learning the game! They're considered the distillation of DDR. The original, Paranoia, is rediculously easy when you've become good at the game. I'd like to argue the Trip Machine songs are good, too. Max300 is arguably a useless song. If you're going for weight loss, you absolutely don't have to pass this song, but it is a good measure of your endurance. I would only recommend this for home if you have an immobile pad. However, Max300 is for perfectionists who want to be the best up thru DDR MAX (6th mix).

On Diet Mode, use Cutriss' description, I'm sure it's closer to the correct description. However, as long as you get better and better, you'll pretty much burn the same number of calories per step. The reason being is when you're heavier, it costs a few more fractions of a calorie for each step. When you're lighter, you're a lot more efficient on body motion and you're moving less mass. Still, heavy songs are the most dense for steps, and will therefore burn more, so you should work your way up the levels.

And to the other respondent, yes, stocking feet is harder on the arches. Yes, use padding under the pad (I actually suggested that). If the impact is absorbed, you will develop awesome arches. The general rule in exercise is: If you feel lightheaded, dizzy, nauseous, or pain of any kind, stop! Sit down. Have a glass of water, too. The next day will be better.

I should add that DDR is very fun! It's really just a confined form of floor aerobics.
Re:Ignition Pad availabilty and a Grain of Salt by robbway · 2004-01-28 03:18 · Score: 1

My Final word (in the event anyone is still reading this thread).

I played Diet mode on XBox last night using the bundled, flat soft pad. I have no idea how durable it is, but it has a tacky underside that prevents it from slipping on a bare floor! That's a first.

First, the estimate by Red Octane is indeed conservative. It estimates you're using LIGHT and STANDARD steps for all songs. In 30 songs, which took one hour but clocked 46 minutes of actual song time, I "burned" 680 calories. I'm not sure if I believe that, but that's what the game reports.

It's interesting to note that you must enter your weight. Your weight determines number of calories per step. The heavier you are, the more you burn per step. However, the lighter you are, the more endurance you should have.

As for the step counting, FREE counts all steps it senses, and repeated tapping of the same arrow doesn't register as much as jumping from two arrows to the other two arrows. REGULATION only counts steps on target. REGULATION is better for experts.

Time can be set to clock how much time is spent during songs only. Time selecting songs and other inbetween actions do not count. Calories can likewise be set as a goal. It's good to make sure each subsequent day exceedes or matches the previous day's calories. You may keep playing after time elapsed (it plays a "happy" sound effect when goal reached) to ensure this.

Overall, the diet mode is pretty worthwhile! Red Octane is not exaggerating, so I may try their pad next when my Konami pad dies.

Re:My girlfriend is doing it CAUSE she saw it on M by mr.capaneus · 2004-01-22 09:03 · Score: 1

Unless you really feel like being in the shithouse, I suggest you only put the website up if she does lose weight. Even then, you are probably pushing it.

Am I the only one? by Zapman · 2004-01-22 09:03 · Score: 1, Redundant

Am I the only one who saw "DDR for weight loss" and thought: "What on earth does double data rate memory have to do with weightloss?"

YKYR/.TMW...

--
Zapman

Re:Am I the only one? by stoolpigeon · 2004-01-22 09:41 · Score: 1

No you are not. this guy did too.

--
It's hard to believe that's how Micronians are made. Why don't we see it right now by having you both kiss one another?
Re:Am I the only one? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-22 09:51 · Score: 0

Same here. /me looking at pricewatch too long

Re:My girlfriend is doing it CAUSE she saw it on M by falcon5768 · 2004-01-22 09:16 · Score: 1

oh dont worry, SHES more likely to have the website up before I am.... She's the one that owns a domain name and all, Im just the poor boyfriend who shows up on her webcam... Its so HOT dating a geek

--

"Slashdot, where telling the truth is overrated but lying is insightful."

Re:My girlfriend is doing it CAUSE she saw it on M by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-22 09:17 · Score: 0

Get ready bud. As soon as she loses weight and looks hot your gone. Brush up on those pickup lines now.

Re:My girlfriend is doing it CAUSE she saw it on M by Acidic_Diarrhea · 2004-01-22 09:18 · Score: 1

What does she weigh currently?

I'm trying to gauge the market for these products.

--
I hate liberals. If you are a liberal, do not reply.

Re:My girlfriend is doing it CAUSE she saw it on M by falcon5768 · 2004-01-22 09:26 · Score: 1

around how much the girl on MTV did like 200, when her ideal is 130

--

"Slashdot, where telling the truth is overrated but lying is insightful."

DDR for keyboards by WebGangsta · 2004-01-22 09:36 · Score: 1

no need for Mario teaches typing (although your suggestion implies that you'd be using the whole keyboard, which may make the screen display really cramped... besides, I think popcap did a typing shark-type game already.... but I digress).

Just go to Flash Flash Revolution to get your keyboard dancing groove on.

Re:My girlfriend is doing it CAUSE she saw it on M by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-22 09:37 · Score: 0

But she's fat...

Yes, it does work by MonMotha · 2004-01-22 09:42 · Score: 2, Insightful

To all those skeptical about this, they are being serious. I personally lost weight (though I'm starting to gain it back...in muscle in my legs...) doing DDR. Also, I'm much more engergetic since starting to play DDR about a year ago.

Yes, RedOctane does sell some expensive gear, but if you really like playing DDR it's well worth it if you want to play at home. Some people have indicated that the Ignition pads (their top of the line soft pad) doesn't last very long. I can't confirm how long they last, but a local club has 8 of them. 6 of them still work a year after they were purchased (with numerous people jumping on them like crazy every wednesday except during the summer) and the 2 that don't work seem to have a problem with controller somewhere (the sensors still work!).

Regarding the weight loss, it is not immediately evident! Expect to actually gain a little weight first for those of you who are scale crazy (you know, it's those muscle things). You have to gain some muscle to actually move around before you can start burning up excess fat.

Also, just like any other workout, don't forget to warm up!! Stretch before you begin. Start off with easier songs. Etc. I swear I almost gave myself a heart attack last night because I just stepped right on to the pad and attempted Maxx Unlimited (for those who are curious, I made it to the freeze, though I have passed before...yes, on Maniac difficulty).

Also, don't get discouraged if you can't do it! Some people I know who are actually quite good now couldn't even pass "one footers" (the easiest under the difficulty ranking system) when they started. Practice, and you *will* get better (nobody just steps onto a DDR machine and starts playing on Maniac).

Also remember that you can check it out before committing to anything in the way of home gaming. Many arcades now have DDR machines in them. Usually you can get three songs (if you don't fail) for $0.75-$1.00 just to try out. Many arcades now won't even fail you on your first song if you're playing on basic difficulty (called light on newer arcades).

Anyway, give it a try if you're interested. There's certainly nothing to lose, other than weight!

--MonMotha

Re:Yes, it does work by loser7punk · 2004-01-22 17:55 · Score: 1

Agreed. I lost quite a bit of weight playing DDR but I took a long break and I still have a long ways to go, but I am working on it. The best place, out side of home, are arcades that offer something like "10 Dollar Tues and Thurs" that Boomer's has. This more or less works out that you get hours of playing for $10. And there are plenty of other games.

*SIGH* YACW by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-22 09:47 · Score: 0

Yet another cam whore

Re:Not exactly true... by Cuthalion · 2004-01-22 10:05 · Score: 1

The cobalt flux pads (and I assume the red octane metal pads) have basically no limit on how heavy you can be. They (cobalt flux) demonstrate this by running over it with an SUV.

If you're that out of shape your biggest problem will probably be building up enough endurance to get a good work out, not the hardware failing.

--
Trees can't go dancing
So do them a big favor
Pretend dancing stinks!

calorie count? by c_jonescc · 2004-01-22 10:06 · Score: 2, Interesting

"In just one hour of playing it's possible for a person to burn around 640 calories, compared to only burning 501 calories jogging."

Uh, in my workouts I usually burn 900 to 1000 calories an hour, be it jogging or cycling.

It's simply a function of intensity, so where does the number "501 calories for an hour of jogging" come in? I can see that someone a bit out of shape can only output so much energy, but to be specific to 500 and ONE calories?

--
Getting diabetes AND salmonella would be a bad weekend.

Re:calorie count? by stoolpigeon · 2004-01-22 10:14 · Score: 2, Insightful

You can't really do 'intense' jogging by definition. I guess you could ramp it up a bit with hand weights or something - but technically jogging is that kind of shuffling/not walking/not running thing that involves not getting the knees up much. If you want to see it in practice catch me at night jogging in my neighborhood. Once I'm in good enough shape to run I'll be less ashamed.

Running at 5 mph, weighing 150 lbs. gets you closer, and running at a good solid pace puts you well over 640.

I think they compare to jogging intentionally as many people are not aware of the difference between jogging and running.

--
It's hard to believe that's how Micronians are made. Why don't we see it right now by having you both kiss one another?
Re:calorie count? by Acidic_Diarrhea · 2004-01-22 11:01 · Score: 1

How do you know you're burning 900 to 1000 calories? If you're using some type of exercise machine that gives a calorie count, you should know that those are fairly inaccurate. They're an estimate. Besides, you shouldn't be focused on how many calories you're burning. You should just focus on getting your heart rate up for an extended period of time [30 minutes to an hour per day, at least] and consuming a reasonable amount of food.

--
I hate liberals. If you are a liberal, do not reply.
Re:calorie count? by c_jonescc · 2004-01-22 20:22 · Score: 1

I have a very good heart rate monitor that also makes an estimate of calories burned. It seems to be quite accurate based on a few little experiments I've run on the thing.

I do mostly use the monitor to know exactly how intense my workout is, and the calorie count is just a number I look at at the end of a workout for comparisons sake.

BTW, I am a liberal, but thought that you'd like a reply.

--
Getting diabetes AND salmonella would be a bad weekend.
Re:calorie count? by Soul+Brother+#1 · 2004-01-23 06:17 · Score: 1

You can also look at the distance you jog, as opposed to the amount of time: 1 mile equals (roughly) 100 calories, no matter how fast you go, whether you're walking or running.

-W

--
All unfair meta-mods are now being meta-meta-modded as retarded.

I lost weight/inches with DDR by Jim+Hall · 2004-01-22 10:24 · Score: 2, Interesting

Why? I live in Minnesota, so for half the year it's kind of hard to go outside for some kind of exercise. So I needed something that I could do indoors, as well. I have a PS2, so a friend recommended Dance Dance Revolution. I've been doing DDR for a little over a year (starting with DDR:Konamix), and of course now I'm doing DDR:Max2. I've been pretty good about getting 4-5 days a week of ~40min doing DDR. I do 1-2 "green" songs (easy), 1-2 "blue" songs (moderate), then the rest of the time I'm doing "yellow" (very difficult).

Actually, I just bought one of RedOctane's high-end Dance pads (the metal one), but not because of this article. All that jumping around takes a good toll on my Dance pads. An off-the-shelf pad usually lasts me a few months. My current Dance pad is starting to get a little flaky. That's why I started looking around for a better pad, and found the RedOctane pads were highly recommended on several forums. Lots of people have had good reports about this pad. It's very sturdy, and should last a few *years*.

Also, I've lost quite a bit of weight over the last year - I'm down to 224, and I've lost ~4 inches. Some of that is diet (I don't eat as much red meat, I eat oatmeal for breakfast, and I've cut out almost all of my snacks) but most of it is due to getting more exercise with DDR. I had to buy a whole new wardrobe, but I don't really mind. :-)

Re:I lost weight/inches with DDR by AnotherFreakboy · 2004-01-22 10:59 · Score: 2, Funny

But all those emails promise me more inches, why would I ever want less?

--
Why not get the real ultimate power?
Re:I lost weight/inches with DDR by Cuthalion · 2004-01-22 11:27 · Score: 1

You're misinterpreting the color coding of the songs in DDRMax2.

The Green songs are the songs or mixes that are new to DDRMax2.

The blue ones are songs or mixes that have appeared exactly the same in other DDR mixes/versions.

The yellow ones are the regular songs you have to unlock.

The pink ones are only playable in Challenge mode (and also must be unlocked). They are all remixes of other songs in DDRMax2.

The red ones also must be unlocked. They are extra difficult.

--
Trees can't go dancing
So do them a big favor
Pretend dancing stinks!
Re:I lost weight/inches with DDR by king-manic · 2004-01-22 12:15 · Score: 1

Just a reminder: Carbs are bad. Oatmeal is a pretty balanced and nurtitous food but if it's proccessed you minus well be eating corn startch. Try fruit, like a banana some berries and yrou oatmeal and makes sur eit's pretty course oatmeal.

Personally I try to go for a fruit heavy diet with lots of lean meat like chicken and avoid most carbs.

--
"There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy."
Re:I lost weight/inches with DDR by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-23 00:33 · Score: 0

Oh come on not another carbs are bad zealot. No need to slip your rant somewhere that it is completely off-topic. Of course processed carbs are bad, but he only mentioned oatmeal. Oatmeal is by definition whole grain.

DDR for Gamecube? by BTWR · 2004-01-22 10:27 · Score: 1

Any chance of this ever happening?

Re:DDR for Gamecube? by oskillator · 2004-01-22 10:58 · Score: 1

Unlikely. But you can get a PSOne and an older game (I recommend 3rd Mix Plus) for probably less than the cost of a new Gamecube game if you shop around.
Re:DDR for Gamecube? by BTWR · 2004-01-22 13:51 · Score: 1

Hmmm...not a bad idea. Is the PS1 version any different than the PS2?
Re:DDR for Gamecube? by Cuthalion · 2004-01-22 19:40 · Score: 1

Yes. Every DDR version there is has a different songlist and somewhat different features (play modes, etc).

DDRMax and DDRMax2 (both for the PS2) are by FAR way more polished in terms of interface than the PSX versions.

I believe DDRMax is the first home version that introduces the freeze arrows. If that's the case that's something which isn't available on the PS1.

--
Trees can't go dancing
So do them a big favor
Pretend dancing stinks!
Re:DDR for Gamecube? by oskillator · 2004-01-23 13:11 · Score: 1

Not in any way that was significant to me, but I play mostly in workout mode. Less flashy. Different songs, maybe fewer.

Sweet Lawd by swdunlop · 2004-01-22 10:35 · Score: 1

Is that what's been making the plaster on my ceiling fall? The lady upstairs must be a DDR fan.. ;)

--
Weapons of Mass Analysis

Good for the entire family by FRandallFarmer · 2004-01-22 10:40 · Score: 3, Informative

Don't underestimate the social motivations surrounding DDR.

I'm a 43 year old lifetime (sedentary) computer geek with the body to prove it. I founded several start-ups and let them devour my 'free' time and that included any exercise time. My family (wife and two teens) followed my bad example.

Until 4 months ago, when I bought DDR/Konamix for PS1 and a cheap plastic pad. My daughter had played before and showed me how not to return my foot to center. That was all I needed. Within a month, I had a metal pad (as the soft pad would slide under my ample frame) and was dancing an hour every night. Soon my wife (who has never danced) was along side me learning how to dance. She'll be up to the three-footers in game-mode any time now.

In the last two weeks, friends of the kids have come over three times to play on our (now all metal) DDR pads w/front-projected screen. I even dance along. [I think they get a kick that an 'old guy' can out dance them! I know I do.] They've even brought over a PS2 and the latest versions.

My son, who doesn't do anything athletic, is even playing some with his friends, even though he has the least skill at this point.

My weight loss results haven't been as pronounced as anyone here, but I'm amazed how DDR has turned an entire family of internet-addicts into people actually getting a healthy dose of exercise.

Re:My girlfriend is doing it CAUSE she saw it on M by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-22 10:55 · Score: 0

Funny you mention that MTV Top 20 show (which was crap, as one would expect). The girl in the pictures that's advocating DDR and the redoctane pads was featured in that show. Among other things, she talked about how she likes being in Team Seattle, and something about having gone through 3-4 boyfriends since losing the weight.

Maybe your girlfriend saw that show and felt like she was due for a boyfriend "upgrade" of her own. Keep your eyes open, friend.

...is it just me? by demian031 · 2004-01-22 10:58 · Score: 1

or does anyone else find themselves always prefering the girl in the 'before' picture to the girl in the 'after' picture?

Re:...is it just me? by LordNimon · 2004-01-22 11:39 · Score: 1

Yes, it's just you. The girl in the 'after' picture is hot. The one in the 'before' picture is a fat piece of lard. The difference is incredible.

--
And the men who hold high places must be the ones who start
To mold a new reality... closer to the heart
Re:...is it just me? by Creepy+Crawler · 2004-01-22 17:17 · Score: 1

And knowing how glib you say this, you probably have no girlfriend either..

Guess what: Personality matters just as much as looks.
--
- Mod parent up! by Anonymous Coward (Score:1) Thurs, Nov 31, @13:37
Re:...is it just me? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-23 17:28 · Score: 0

Except you don't have a personality either!

I lost 20 pounds playing DDR + diet changes by truffle · 2004-01-22 11:39 · Score: 1

Might as well note my own experience.

My basic formula was a 1500 calorie a day diet + burning 400-450 calories a day via DDR workout mode. Doing this Iost about 20 pounds in two or three months. I was 160 before, I'm 140 now, height is 5'10. The entire process was easy and pretty fun. 20 pounds was a lot of weight lost for me, as I wasn't really overweight to start.

Note the calories burned estimate from workout mode is probably not accurate, but that doesn't really matter, what matters is I was burning about the same amount of calories every day.

Some tips:
- Turn off freeze arrows in workout mode, you can do this by holding down the upper right button right after song selection, to access the song options menu
- Don't play DDR in workout mode 7 days a week, at least not ideally, I think it's better to do it 3-4 days a week and do other exercise on other days
- Use tempo to control your exertion level, play songs that will keep your heart rate high, and if you're exhausted fall back to an easier song for your next song. You can sort songs by tempo.

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Re:I lost 20 pounds playing DDR + diet changes by Tofino · 2004-01-23 07:33 · Score: 1

Why would you want to turn off freeze arrows?
Re:I lost 20 pounds playing DDR + diet changes by truffle · 2004-01-23 13:22 · Score: 1

Freeze arrows make songs more challenging by making you keep your foot in a fixed position during the song.

In general, songs with freeze arrows will involve less stepping, and thus be less exercise.

The goal in this case being exercise.

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Re:My girlfriend is doing it CAUSE she saw it on M by mrpuffypants · 2004-01-22 11:39 · Score: 1

Be sure to include pictures....OH GOD! Please include pictures of a girl!

OK, I'm Sold! by MissMarvel · 2004-01-22 11:40 · Score: 1

My neighbors may think I've gone off the deepend, but this sounds a hell of a lot more fun than my treadmill. Forget going to the gym... takes too much time.

Now as I understand it, this DDR game takes several pieces of equipment, right? A board, a playstation(?), and a TV. I have a TV. Can someone give me a quick synopsis of how all this works? Where would one buy it?

Thanks.

The pictures leave something to be desired... by tuxedobob · 2004-01-22 11:48 · Score: 1

like lighting, resolution, and a decent angle of the subject. Same hair color wouldn't hurt, either.

Re:The pictures leave something to be desired... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-22 12:10 · Score: 0

The problem with the pictures being that they are candid pics that have been taken over time. From what I understand, the before pic is her at like 180 lbs, so she's still trying to get her most dramatic before pics up.

Want better before pictures? by saenodahotmail.com · 2004-01-22 12:42 · Score: 4, Interesting

Hey everyone, I'm the girl that lost all the weight through playing DDR. I understand that the before pics SUCK, but that was just because my scanner wasn't working. I have a few pics that more adequately show the before, but it will be a day or so until they get put up on the site. Until then, feel free to ask any questions you wish.

How to set up a good PS2/DDR station by akejay · 2004-01-22 12:47 · Score: 1

I'm glad to help. I got interested in DDR after seeing a display at the Taste of Chicago in summer 2002, and went out pretty soon after and bought my own kit. Play the game at the arcade a few times to get the hang of how it goes!

You will have the best luck with a hard floor with very thin carpet, a good TV with stereo sound, a PS2 that won't fall down if you accidentally kick the cable, one of Konami's "DDR MAX" series of games, and a $20-$30 "beat pad" or "dance mat" from just about anyone. Nothing special to it. If you have played at the arcade, the home version is so similar it's intuitively easy to pick up. The "dance mat" controller plugs into the front of your PS2 like any other controller.

Have fun! On the home version I like to turn off the praise/insult track ("You're awesome!", "Have you had your breakfast today?", "Boo!", and other such), since it really doesn't help me learn the songs. I have spent a lot of time "unlocking" the many hidden songs by doing well at the songs I know. My younger sisters are having a good time with my PSX and older DDR games also - they were a great hand-me-down gift.

The only downside to DDRing at home is that you will miss out on meeting many fun people at the arcade. Everyone who plays started out poorly and got better, so please don't apologize for yourself or feel embarrassed. Just keep trying!

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one, two, one two like a duck

Self built semi hard pad (Chubby Pad) by mseiwert1 · 2004-01-22 12:48 · Score: 1

I found a website with instructions on building a semi hard pad out of a sheet of plexiglass, pegboard or masonite, and duct tape. Here is the link. Some suggestions on putting it together that I found from experience: measure out the plexiglass on the softpad you are going to put this together with. I measured several and all of them needed slighty smaller pieces height wise in the middle section to fit properly. Sand down the edges of the plexiglass with 100/120 grit sandpaper, it will keep it from cutting through the tape. Rounding the outside corners of the bottom two squares also helps keep sharp corners off. Also, consider putting a thin 1/8" layer of hard foam under the pad, as it offers some extra cusioning that goes easier on the knees. This seems to work nicely, but it will take longer than 30 minutes to put together. You can get 2 cuts of the right size of pegboard out of one 4x8 sheet so you might also consider making two of them.

News Flash! by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-22 13:57 · Score: 0

Here's some news for you:

The most effective exercises aren't fun. Weight lifting is hard when you start. It gets harder as you go on, but your abilities grow, too. After a while you might actually start to enjoy the challenges and the effects on your body.

Be careful... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-22 18:23 · Score: 0

First let me state I love ddr and hold nothing against it...

BUT... the game wrecked my knees. I used to play it until my calfs burned so much I couldn't walk, and then one day I started getting an intense pain in my knee joints in the middle a song, and my knees have been that way ever since. I can't play ddr for more than 5 minutes now without stepping off in agony. It sucks a game I love so much won't let me play anymore :-(

If you're thinking about using DDR for weight loss go for it, but limit yourself to 30 minutes a day. Don't play for like 1-2 hours straight like I used too.

Build your own arcade-like DDR pad by piznut · 2004-01-22 22:02 · Score: 1

Here's a page about building your own "high-end" DDR pad out of wood and sheet metal.

http://www.geocities.com/ddrhomepad/

If I had the tools and a place to build it (currently in a crappy apartment), Id definately give it a shot.

Music question by will_edit_for_food · 2004-01-23 10:14 · Score: 1

How can I get DDR to work with my own music? The techno garbage is driving me nuts!

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