Last Updated on December 14, 2022 by Michael Brockbank
With a week to go before I head to Utah, I am nowhere near my weight loss goals. So, this last week before the trip, I’m going to see how much I can lose playing the Xbox Kinect for seven days. Though, I’m adding a bit more to the challenge this time around.
Yes, I know the Xbox Kinect is a defunct technology. However, I still use it to work up one hell of a sweat. That’s because when I play, I really throw myself into the game.
I don’t just stand around and move my arms. I’m literally hopping all over the living room, depending on the game.
Why Only One Week for the Kinect?
I wanted a bit longer of a stretch of time, but that just isn’t in the cards this time around. Still, it’s a challenge that I intend on seeing through.
It’ll be a bit of an accomplishment, considering how I haven’t been able to stay focused for longer than three days at a time.
Technically, I started this yesterday (Tuesday the 15th).
Heading to Utah Next Wednesday
As I’ll be on the road Wednesday and won’t be back until Sunday, my window for a fitness challenge is a bit narrow. Not to mention I wouldn’t mind weighing quite a bit less when I go see family next week.
Unfortunately, this means I’ll only have time to play the Kinect for a full week before heading out.
Now, I highly doubt I’ll drop 20 pounds in seven days. But I would like to burn more than my average of three pounds per week. Well, three pounds when I actually put in the effort to do so.
Need to Work Out a Schedule for the Gym
As my daughter finally got her license, I had to give up the Fiat. And since my van is still broken, I don’t have a way to the gym. I was thinking about walking, but taking one step outside in 20° weather changed my mind.
So, I’ll have to figure out a new workout schedule throughout the day. I may have to walk to the gym and start working out before lunch and just shift my work hours earlier.
In any case, I’ll spend the next week trying to hammer out the details of what I can move in the afternoon to get back to the gym. In the meantime, I’ll play the Kinect this week so I am still keeping active.
Getting the Ball Rolling
I haven’t had the most stellar of years. I’m hoping that focusing on a week-long challenge will get me back into the right headspace for weight loss. I’ve been spending so much time on my writing that it’s damn near an obsession.
I wish I could get this excited about losing the last of my weight. But every line I edit in my next book just fills me with elation.
I just need to take a step back and start prioritizing myself over my work. Sure, writing is a massive part of my life. But I would like to continue living so I could continue writing.
What Does this Next Week Entail with the Kinect?
I’m going to stick with a tried-and-true plan that has helped me lose a lot of weight over the years. The difference is that this time, I’m going to stick with it.
I mean, it’s only seven days. I can do a week in front of the Xbox Kinect, right? I used to do it all the time in 2018.
Playing Twice Per Day Wearing Weights
First, I’m setting up a schedule to play the Kinect twice per day. These sessions will run between 20 to 30 minutes, which all but guarantees a 300-calorie burn…perhaps as much as 400.
The hardest part about this is timing. Because it’s winter, the sun comes shining in through my massive bay windows into the living room. The light from the sun disrupts the sensors on the Kinect.
But if I can play first thing in the morning and then again at around 4 pm or so, I should be able to get in two rounds.
Sticking with My Net 600 Calorie Diet
I know my Net 600 Calorie Diet works for me. It’s all based on keeping active throughout the day. This means that both rounds will allow me to have roughly 1700 calories per day in food, perhaps more.
Since I use MyFitnessPal to record intake, all I have to do is make sure my calories don’t go negative. If I want something extra, I’ll need to work for it by being more active.
Regardless of this activity, it’ll be in addition to the two rounds of playing the Kinect.
Keeping Carbs Under 200 grams
Over the past year, I’ve noticed a trend in my eating habits. It seems that if I can keep the carbs below 200 grams every day, I’ll drop more than a pound the next.
I’m sure that’ll change once I get closer to my goal weight. But for now, it’s a promising data point.
When you think about it, though, reducing carb intake is the cornerstone of a lot of diets. I know I dropped weight wicked fast last year when I tried a dirty version of Keto.
I just like my pasta, cookies, and cakes. To enjoy these, I need to make sure I’m having healthy additions throughout the day.
Yep, a New Spreadsheet to Share
For those who know me, it’s not a surprise that I’m using yet another spreadsheet to track the data. However, I’m embedding it on this page and then again when I write about my experience next week.
Like always, I have estimations running in the spreadsheet. The areas that are highlighted in yellow are numbers that are absolute. Everything else is an estimation.
There should not be any red backgrounds on this entire sheet…damnit.
How Much Can I Lose in Seven Days?
I’m starting this challenge at 240.4 pounds. I’m quite disappointed that I went up so much, especially since I weighed 216 when I moved into this house.
While I may not hit my goal weight by the end of the year, I plan on making a severe dent. So, let’s see what happens when playing the Kinect for a solid week and maintaining my intake.
I wouldn’t be surprised if I lost about five pounds or so.