Trimming the waist...

[Akisoma]

I have read so many articles and stories on the Internet discussing the health advantages of playing DDR. I am new to the game, but can already tell it's an awesome way to get active.

I would like to know however, realistically, how long do you think it would take to lose weight on ddr? Have any stories/experiences?

Also slightly off topic, how long did it take you to master the harder levels, and get past beginners/light? I'm still in beginner’s mode ._.

Thanks for any input.

I play DDRMAX2 by the way.

[Rychan]

I lost 30 pounds within my first year of playing DDR (arcade mostly). I believe the arcade gives you much more of a work out then the home versions.

It took me about 4 months to really push and begin to feel comfortable playing Standard, only another month or two til I was daring enough to start Heavy. A friend of mine went from light to playing 7 foot standard and heavy in three months. It all depends on how quickly you pick it up.
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[Takeru51]

cant say i lost any weight at all... ive actually gained some, gone from 120 to like 134 in about a year, w00t. i went pretty much from light to heavy, i used standard for like three weeks, but in 3 months or so i was playing on heavy

[Shippo]

I lost weight and have maintained it at a certain weight... DDR is a good way to workout. Yet still some people think thats a waste of time and my friend did a project on the benifits of the game.

[Jupichan]

I've lost a good 20 pounds in the past four months since I started playing. But that's also on top of the fact that I've been eating a lot better as well.

As for advancing...Before I got the game at home, it took me about a month of playing one day a week before I was good with light. Then I got the game at home, and I was on standard in a few days, and the easy side of heavy.

Now, four months into playing, I can beast most standard songs, and do fairly well on a lot of heavy.

[paranoid.]

I find it ironic that im eating a tub of Ben & Jerry's New York Super Fudge Chunk ice cream while reading this. Anyway, i dont think ive lost much weight. I'm a 120lb 14 year old kid so doesnt mean much hearing it from me.

For the difficulty advancing i suggest pushing yourself, especially if youre on beginner. On DDRMAX there isn't even a beginner mode.
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[Ineligible]

Realistically, you might see some minor weight loss within a month, but to lose weight, you also have to start eating healthier.
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If The World Didn't Suck, We'd All Fall Off

[laser2150]

I used to weigh about 220, after 4 months i was 210 playing on heavy. but i wasn't eating healthy. Now ive been playing for 8 months and im down to about 190.

also advancing is different for everyone. Ive been playing for 8-9 months and another guy at the arcade for only 6 and he can do everysong on heavy. (even PSMO)
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- I eat babies.

Zomg Fleadh Uncut -passed!

[tepp]

I've lost 5 pounds so far, been playing 1 hour 5 times a week for six weeks now. I have oh... 30 to go.

I started at 1 footers on light. Worked my way upwards, A'ing every 2 footer, then 3 footer, then 4.... About two weeks ago I started really working on mostly standard songs... Today, I A'd my very first Heavy song, I'm In Heaven.

But I still think of myself as a "standard" player, as I can A/pass more of the standard songs. I've A'd almost all the light songs save 3... they don't really challenge me anymore. Standard is really gruelling on some, too easy on others....

I'm working on 5 feeters, 9 left to do.

My advice to you:

1) Do a strict calorie intake diet. Exercise alone won't help you loose weight. It's all about creating a calorie deficit. Exercise helps, but if you go and down a pint of ice cream after each work out, you'll end up gaining weight.

2) Go and get a metal pad. Trust me on this! I've worn out THREE red octane ignition softpads. My konami softpad is flakey and dying. It's frustrating, I was so mad today because I could not A either Red Room (standard) or Drop Out! (light) because the pad wouldn't register the jumps fast enough. I know I was in time, but the cheap softpad would either not read the fast jumps or delay them too long.

If you're going to do this every day, do yourself a favor and get a really good pad so you can quit worrying about flakey hardware and just enjoy trying to perfect your technique.

3) Don't bother with workout mode. The calorie counts aren't accurate. What is accurate is how much you sweat during songs, the hardness of your breath, your heart beating in your chest... for a beginner, a 2 or 3 footer will have you out of breath! For an expert, a 2 footer isn't even exercise. Always play songs that challenge you. But don't be afraid to use the training room. Sometimes it's the only way to learn a new technique. that's why I don't recommend exercise mode - it doesn't realize a beginner works harder at a light song and an expert won't break a sweat. It also doesn't allow you to use the training room or xbox live!.

4) Put a glass of water near your workout area. Drink often. You sweat a lot more than you realize, and you will get sick if you don't drink lots of water.

5) Get a cheap kitchen timer. Set it for an hour. Use that to let you know when you've got your daily workout done. Mine cost me 3$. Often I dance longer than that, but the timer ensures I dance at LEAST an hour.

6) Wear shorts and a t shirt when dancing. Girls, wear a sports bra. You will sweat buckets, but wearing light clothes will keep you cooler than dancing in jeans and a long sleeved shirt. Sports bra is a must for girls, otherwise... owwww.... The sports store Lucy sells a wide range of sports bras, find one that confines everything tightly so nothing jiggles. Stretch marks are NOT sexy.

7) Things to do after a workout... hot bath... or heating pad/blanket around your legs... my legs hurt so bad some days, especially after songs with lots of jumps like Red Room (standard). Icey hot is good too. Smells though.

I love exercising with DDR because it's always there for me at home. I don't have to worry about parking at the Gym, raining during walks, chlorine in my hair from the pool. I have no excuse not to do DDR first thing when I get home.

Goodluck!

[Ghettoman-DDR]

[tepp]

[Rychan]

[T33J4Y]

BIG KEITH will be trying to lose weight seriously with DDR soon, im not sure how much he weighs right now, but i can assure you it is alot. We should have pictures and stuff once he gets going, and we'll put it on the team website man its gonna be funny if Keith loses alot of weight. Not that he's not alright the way he is