Working Out, with video games? March 24, 2008

Most people don’t associate physical activity with video games. In fact, video games are sometimes viewed as the definition of physical inactivity. Images of youths spending hour upon hour glued to their computers or t.v. too busy playing to even come down to the dinner table (let alone go outside for a game of pick up basketball) are conjured up when you think of games.

That was then. This is now.

The evolution of next generation consoles now offers gamers a chance to get off their behinds but continue playing. Let’s take a look at two of the hottest new titles available (bonus: doesn’t feel like exercise)

1. Dance Dance Revolution

Starting out as a popular arcade game, Dance Dance Revolution (DDR) is now available @ home on Playstation 2 and 3, Xbox 360 and the Nintendo Wii. This game will make you SWEAT as you move to cool dance tracks! The main objective of the game is to hit the dance squares on a mat/pad (that is plugged into the console) @ the right time, as indicated by arrows on the screen. You can groove by yourself, or with a friend!! No guarantee that this will make you a better dancer at that party though Oh, and there is a special “workout” mode too that counts calories!

2. Wii Sports

Wii Sports is the title game that comes free when you buy a Nintendo Wii — it’s main purpose is to show how COOL the Wii is and how active you can be. The sports available to play in this game are: baseball, boxing, tennis, golf and bowling. Oh and there are also “training” programs to make you better at the game. This game is addictive and you definitely can feel the burn in your arms the day afterwards. While it’s arguably not as “active” as participating in the real sport (there is less running) the level of activity is still pretty high — especially in boxing. You also have the opportunity to create a “Mii”, an avatar that you can customize to look however you want, and use it in the game!

OK.. i know you thought both of those games are pretty cool. But before you go out and buy a $300 system, let’s get some perspective. Video gaming is quite an expensive hobby. The consoles are expensive, and games can sell for about $50-80 dollars a pop! Also, while these are awesome games that are revolutionizing the industry, playing baseball in Wii sports will never be able to replace real baseball – your teammates, the atmosphere, the actual running, etc. It’s still pretty cool though..

What is “Beauty”? March 20, 2008

Evolution of Beauty and its parody, Slob Evolution.

Jokes aside, the commercial and it’s parody brings up some important points. Dove’s campaign for “real beauty” shows how models don’t roll out of bed looking beautiful. It takes a long time to make that end poster, and the commercial shows how unrealistic that “beauty” is. It’s pretty much unnatural and created by computers – therefore, we shouldn’t feel bad about ourselves if we don’t “look that way”.

However, since that commercial is created by Dove, a corporation whose purpose is to make profit, we have to wonder, is this just a way to sell their bars of soap?? What are their real intentions?

At least the parody is hilarious

food labels exposed! January 17, 2008

after watching this video, i realize i need to carry around an accurate digital scale… and read food nutrition labels with a critical mind. check it out!

According to Dr. Oz January 17, 2008

Hi!!! So I was on the Oprah website and I saw Dr. Oz (I looooove Dr. Oz!!!) and this is what he had to say about the five foods to avoid.

Take a peak!!!!

The first ingredient to avoid is hydrogenated oil, which often masquerades as partially hydrogenated oil. Dr. Roizen says we should also eliminate sugar and high fructose corn syrup from our foods. “We eat 63 pounds of [high fructose corn syrup] a year, which puts 33 pounds on the typical American,” he says.

Enriched flour is the fourth ingredient to avoid. “[Enriched] means they took all the good stuff out and put a little back,” Dr. Roizen says. In 1960, Americans didn’t use enriched flour, but today we consume 63 pounds a year, he says.

The fifth offenders are white foods—including bleached flour. The only white items you should have in your fridge are egg whites, cauliflower and fish, Dr. Roizen says.

Your favorite snack foods won’t advertise their artificial ingredients—Oprah’s medical experts say you have to read the small print for yourself!

This mean for S & F today we are going to clean out our fridges and get rid of all these “bad” foods….and say bye bye to rice, potatoes, chips, pasta….and OHHHHHH MAN….I guess anything that we looove. Just keep in mind that ofcourse we will never be able to really cut out anything- but instead we are going to try eating things in moderation.

Wish us luck!!!

F&S

http://www.oprah.com/health/yourbody/slide/20061102/yourbody_20061102_350_202.jhtml

Q: is this exercise? January 11, 2008

Although many questions come to mind when watching “The Star Wars Kid” (e.g. does he have any friends left?), what we want to know is if this can be considered exercise? So we’re turning to you for anwers, master jedi.