exergaming

The family binging events are over, so now it's time to talk resolutions and fighting off some of that bulge you may have picked up during the holiday season. Good news is there are plenty of ways to burn some calories without spending half an afternoon in the gym. Fire up your favorite gaming console and pop in one of these titles that will have you working up a sweat in no time.

1. Your Shape Fitness Evolved ($34) — Working with the Xbox 360 and Kinect sensor, this game provides a personalized fitness program based on your skill level, but the Kinect actually senses where your joints are to give you proper form tips while you're playing. Add in special martial arts and weight loss classes led by actual celebrity trainers, and you have yourself a pretty amazing fitness game that really isn't a game at all.
2. The Fight: Lights Out ($20) — I like The Fight (which works in conjunction with the PlayStation Move), and in comparison to other fitness specific video games it doesn't feel like a workout; it just feels like fun.
3. Get Fit With Mel B ($) — Another PlayStation Move title, Get Fit With Mel B seems like it would be a good alternative to the gym; mostly cause Mel B is ripped, and if this helps her stay fit, it's gotta work for me, right?
4. Just Dance 2 ($34) — Like DDR before it, the Wii-compatible Just Dance 2 lets you work up a sweat with some awesome moves, and sing along to popular music. It doesn't get any better than that!
5. EA Sports Active 2 ($45) — I'm already a big fan of the EA Sports Active titles, so pairing it with the Kinect system is sure to give me an even better, more engaging workout experience.

You already knew that OD'ing on video games could lead to Nintendo Thumb, but did you know that it could also have fatal results? Recently, a young British gamer died of complications from deep vein thrombosis, which stemmed from 12-hour long sessions on his Xbox.

Though playing your Xbox isn't lethal in and of itself, sitting for long periods of time can be dangerous for your heart, muscles, and waistline. Next time you're taking part in an epic Halo battle or putting in overtime at your desk, be sure to take these healthy tips into consideration to prevent geek-related health problems.

1. Take breaks more often — Whether you're coding, blogging, or gaming, you should make a habit of taking breaks often. Even better, stand up during your gameplay sessions, which not only keeps your muscles active, but it can burn more calories than just sitting alone, and prevent . . . other, more embarrassing conditions.
2. Enforce a time limit — Decide how long you'll play before you log in, and stick to your time limit. You can always come back to pick up where you left off previously. Once your time is up, go take a walk, meet some friends at the arcade, or take your dog outside for some quality park playtime.
3. Stretch — Every 15 minutes or so, get up and stretch your muscles. This will not only help to prevent cramps, but it will get your blood moving and stave off clots.

See the rest of our healthy gaming tips after the jump.

Being on a budget may be a way of life these days, but cutting back on expenses doesn't mean you have to sacrifice your health goals. If a gym membership isn't in the cards, the good news is you can still get a great workout in your own home. Don't think it's possible? Check out these five ways you can leave the gym behind, raise your heart rate, and stream it all on your home network.

• Netflix — More than endless movie and TV possibilities, Netflix also has a great selection of workout videos to choose from. Stream them at home, or add them to your queue, and keep them for as long as you want. For $9 a month for unlimited access, I'd say that's a steal.
• OnDemand — Ever look at your cable provider's OnDemand section? Besides new pay-per-view movies, you can get a great workout with ExerciseTV, under the Sports & Fitness category, which offers classes like yoga, kickboxing, and cardio workouts to blast fat.

See the rest after the break.

Start your resolutions early with a splurge of your own: a new fitness game! We already know that fitness games can blast fat and calories, but you'll probably burn more than you would at the gym since they're so much fun! Today only (get on it now!), Amazon is discounting fitness games across all consoles.

For example, you can get EA Sports Active 2 for $60, Your Shape Fitness Evolved for $40, and butt-kicking Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2011 for $25. Check out all the sales on Amazon's holiday sale page, and work it out!

Remember yesterday when I said that the new Microsoft Kinect controller system would change the face of exergaming? Well the proof is in the pudding — yesterday, Ubisoft revealed their new title Your Shape: Fitness Evolved, that has you jogging, squatting, jumping rope, and kickboxing, all with some nice beats and hot trainers to move with.

First, you'll get a body profile (including weight, height, BMI, and calorie burn), and set up goals to reach. Then using the Kinect's motion sensing, player projecting, and voice recognition technology, Your Shape will offer a wide range of workouts to keep you from getting bored — yoga, Pilates, cardio workouts, group classes, mini-games for the family, and personal trainer-based programs (led by well-known trainers like LA-based Michael George, who's worked with Reese Witherspoon and Spiderman's Tobey Maguire).

Additionally, the game's website will act as a hub for users to share their experiences, exchange tips, and get inspired by success stories. Your Shape: Fitness Evolved will be hitting stores this Fall, but until then, take a look at the fun trailer after the break.

As you may remember, I tried the Wii Fit for 30 days after its release. Although I did see some results, I don't think it was anything close to what G.I. Jane accomplished in boot camp. Nonetheless, the US Navy recently announced that they'll be adding games like Dance Dance Revolution and Wii Fit to the early stages of boot camp to prepare recruits for the rigors of what's to come.

Apparently, recruits are showing up prepared to work it out during training, but are getting more injuries in the process. Officials say that introducing other exercises — like you'd find on the gaming console — can switch things up and help recruits build endurance. The Wii has already been approved by the American Heart Association, why not the Navy? What do you think — can the Wii actually help the Navy build a stronger soldier?

With the success of EA Sports Active — the game I used for my 30 Day fitness challenge — EA is announcing a new EA Sports Active game called Sports Active More Workouts.

Coming November 17, the new game will feature 35 new exercises like water skiing and paddle surfing. It will also emphasize abdominal exercises including curl ups, crunches and punches.

I think the addition of more exercises is good, but I wish you could just download them rather than have to go out and buy the game separately.