Anyone got any personal weight loss stories?

[Adamer]

I'm considering the financial investment into VR almost exclusively to play Beat Saber and I would like to hear people's stories of getting healthier and losing weight with the game.

I'm a fat ♥♥♥♥ and I need to do something about it, so I would appreciate any insights people have.

[ventrix]

Messaggio originale di ColdNhungry:

Messaggio originale di ventrix:

The game doesn't burn much calories, no matter what people try to tell you.
You 90% of the time just swing your arms around, so peoples Cal trackers (attached to their wrists...) are reporting completely false values.
What it can give you is some endorphins and adrenaline though. It makes you more motivated and little less depressed for a short while (a little like runners high).
It's a good start, and a good fun addition to normal training, but currently there is no real vr workout, as most games only focus on tracking your hands (obviously).

https://vrhealth.institute/portfolio/beat-saber/

Without even arguing about results: that is not that much though.
Even walking or joga burns 5-7Kcal per minute. That is on par with beat saber and believable. But has nothing to do with working out (which would be in the 12-16Kcal/minute range).
Simple standing around burns 2-4Kcal.

Playing 8 hours straight would burn about 2800Kcal with beat saber. If you eat your typical 2000Kcal a day that is a weight loss of 100g a day... for "working out" 8 hours a day. I don't wanna be your joints after a week though.

[ColdNhungry]

Messaggio originale di ventrix:

Messaggio originale di ColdNhungry:

https://vrhealth.institute/portfolio/beat-saber/

Without even arguing about results: that is not that much though.
Even walking or joga burns 5-7Kcal per minute. That is on par with beat saber and believable. But has nothing to do with working out (which would be in the 12-16Kcal/minute range).
Simple standing around burns 2-4Kcal.

It's still something and you definitely burn calories by playing at the higher levels. As the article indicated, so long as you keep the fail state turned off, you can keep a consistent elevated heart rate.

It also has to do with how you play the game. I've seen some people play very stiffly where they're barely moving. I like to dance around and incorporate heavy swings into it, overall moving around quite a lot. I'm sure and burning more calories then a lot of people on the same levels and difficulty.

If the player takes the right approach, it's definitely a viable workout, even if it's less than say going out for a jog.

[Rutabaga]

Messaggio originale di ColdNhungry:

Messaggio originale di ventrix:

Without even arguing about results: that is not that much though.
Even walking or joga burns 5-7Kcal per minute. That is on par with beat saber and believable. But has nothing to do with working out (which would be in the 12-16Kcal/minute range).
Simple standing around burns 2-4Kcal.

It's still something and you definitely burn calories by playing at the higher levels. As the article indicated, so long as you keep the fail state turned off, you can keep a consistent elevated heart rate.

It also has to do with how you play the game. I've seen some people play very stiffly where they're barely moving. I like to dance around and incorporate heavy swings into it, overall moving around quite a lot. I'm sure and burning more calories then a lot of people on the same levels and difficulty.

If the player takes the right approach, it's definitely a viable workout, even if it's less than say going out for a jog.

Depends on what you mean with "viable" i suppose. Not that i'm an expert on the subject as such, but aren't you supposed to do like a minimum of 30 minutes of reasonably taxing cardio daily to start getting the positive benefits? I'm quite fat too, and i also enjoy moving a lot while playing, but i sure don't get anywhere near as tired, sweaty and out of breath with even a full hour of expert + Beat saber as like 30 minutes on a bike.

At any rate, like i've said several times in this thread already, moving around is always good...but don't confuse wanting to buy a new toy with motivation or fitness or whatever. If you can't go out for a brisk walk, get an exercise bike, or go to the gym, what makes you think you'll be playing Beat Saber for hours every day once you have gotten through all the songs?

Essentially, beat saber is not a quick, fun fix for your weight problems. It can't be said enough times.

[ColdNhungry]

Messaggio originale di Ziltoid:

Messaggio originale di ColdNhungry:

It's still something and you definitely burn calories by playing at the higher levels. As the article indicated, so long as you keep the fail state turned off, you can keep a consistent elevated heart rate.

It also has to do with how you play the game. I've seen some people play very stiffly where they're barely moving. I like to dance around and incorporate heavy swings into it, overall moving around quite a lot. I'm sure and burning more calories then a lot of people on the same levels and difficulty.

If the player takes the right approach, it's definitely a viable workout, even if it's less than say going out for a jog.

Depends on what you mean with "viable" i suppose. Not that i'm an expert on the subject as such, but aren't you supposed to do like a minimum of 30 minutes of reasonably taxing cardio daily to start getting the positive benefits? I'm quite fat too, and i also enjoy moving a lot while playing, but i sure don't get anywhere near as tired, sweaty and out of breath with even a full hour of expert + Beat saber as like 30 minutes on a bike.

At any rate, like i've said several times in this thread already, moving around is always good...but don't confuse wanting to buy a new toy with motivation or fitness or whatever. If you can't go out for a brisk walk, get an exercise bike, or go to the gym, what makes you think you'll be playing Beat Saber for hours every day once you have gotten through all the songs?

Essentially, beat saber is not a quick, fun fix for your weight problems. It can't be said enough times.

Not a quick fix for sure, there is no such thing, but yeah a decent amount of time is required. Personally I've been having sessions between one and two hours. They were having 40 minutes sessions in the link.

There are no quick fixes to weight problems, commitment to a proper diet and any amount of exercise is what's most important.

But what makes me think he might play beat saber for hours if he wont go out for a bike ride or go to a gym etc.? Because it's a video game, and it's unique that you aren't sitting on your a** playing it. It can be a great starting point for gamers who don't exercise often or even at all. There's barely a handful of games like these. It's fun and can make you "forget" you're getting a minor workout if you get into it enough and remember to enjoy yourself. Then you'll keep playing and that could be the difference between conventional exercise, even if it is more effective.

Also, there are hundreds if not thousands of songs now, new ones every day. If you go for the leaderboards, you will never run out of content. It can take people hours each day to master a single higher tier song. So running out of content doesn't really exist.

Either way, in the end it comes down to the individual's level of commitment and whether he's willing to make other adjustments to his lifestyle at the same time.

[NeverEver]

Honestly I used this to make moving around fun again. I started playing last winter when it was too cold to go out really. Since then ive been doing more and more active things and have actually lost over 50 pounds this year so far. Ive changed my diet and now i go running every day and dont really play much anymore. but it worked to get me up and moving for a few months and had me breaking a sweat many days. For me this plus Pokemon go kind of gamified working out and tricked me into a more active life.

[Rutabaga]

Messaggio originale di NeverEver:

Honestly I used this to make moving around fun again. I started playing last winter when it was too cold to go out really. Since then ive been doing more and more active things and have actually lost over 50 pounds this year so far. Ive changed my diet and now i go running every day and dont really play much anymore. but it worked to get me up and moving for a few months and had me breaking a sweat many days. For me this plus Pokemon go kind of gamified working out and tricked me into a more active life.

Don't sell yourself short dude. It wasn't the game, you were ready for change. That's the reality.

[Kolevska]

I lost 2.5 kilos (out of 10 I want to lose) in 3 weeks. I played Beat Saber several times a week and watched my calorie intake. But it was my first time playing, so I had a lot of off days with sore muscles where I had to wait to recover before being able to go on. My pro tip is to drink a cup of green tea before playing.

[Rocky]

Messaggio originale di Wubba Lubba Dub Dub:

All it took was one quick google to learn that i'll never put weights on my body in VR. The inevitable damage just isn't worth the short term gain.

Link?

[ToNyThAKiLLeR]

Was at 230lbs and went down to 185lbs in half a year.

[Jarek has quit gaming]

Beat Saber isn't the perfect game for weight loss in my opinion. I didn't lose that much weight until i started mixing it with other games like:

https://store.steampowered.com/app/494150/The_Thrill_of_the_Fight__VR_Boxing/

[SkullFork]

You don't even have to play at the higher levels. The key is duration and motion. Pick a level you can sustain for 30 min (less if you are absolutely sedentary...and maybe consult your physician?)

Now.....don't play like some "trying-to-make-leaderboard-wrist'flicker". This is where economy of motion will not help you.

SWING THROUGH THOSE BLOCKS! HARD! Like you're a damn ninja fighting off a hoard. Bob on your feet. Shift from side to side. Did I mention swing?

SWING, DAMMIT, SWING!

Try a simpler level so you can keep up while using a wide range of motion and sustain it.

(Yes, on the outside you will look like a giant dork. Who cares)

I end each session covered in sweat.....so don't try tell me it's not a viable workout. Done properly it absolutely IS.

(Oh...and don't use wrist weights...trust me on this)

Good luck!