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One-Liner: Not a Fit on Game and Player

One-Liner: Not a Fit

Joseph G. Powell  //  January 26, 2011


How do you fight the out-of-shape stereotype?

A

n often ill-conceived stereotype of gamers is the greasy fat kid in a dark room scarfing down Cheetos and quaffing can after can of Mountain Dew. Although there are people out there who do make this kind of lifestyle choice, there are many other gamers who are health-conscious.

I recently (and not by convenience of a New Year's resolution) decided it was time to make some changes in my lifestyle. I used to eat large portions at mealtime and make poor nutritional choices, I never exercised, and I drank a lot of diet soda. I'm still working out the rough edges, but I've been drinking more water, introducing healthier food choices into my diet, and exercising regularly. Coincidentally, EA Sports Active 2.0 happened to be on sale when I started my campaign of fitness, and being a gamer the choice was obvious (and much cheaper than a gym membership plus personal trainer fees.)

What do you do to keep fit and fight the stereotype?




Michael Ubaldi // January 26, 2011 // 9:52 AM

Even though I was blessed at birth with congenital scrawniness, I pulled my own Morgan Spurlock a decade ago when I replaced walking across a university campus with a desk job and fast food lunches.

I just eat simply: the sweetest item in my apartment is honey, I rarely eat between meals, and I cook small portions — making exceptions at restaurants infrequent.

My physical shape leaves much to be desired, but for now I'll take basic health over athletics.


Lee Kelly // January 26, 2011 // 10:00 AM

My home does not have central heating. I have a wood-burning stove, and I do not have enough money to buy wood. Felling, cutting, and splitting wood is quite a tough job. Moreover, I sometimes help a friend with residential tree surgery to earn a little extra money. Most of my work at the moment is physically demanding. These activities keep me relatively in-shape, though I would like to play sport more often (particularly soccer). Also, I don't like mountain dew very much -- I might drink 3 sodas a week at most.

That said, I have encountered many gamers who do fit the stereotype.


Adam K. Bogert // January 26, 2011 // 10:54 AM

Physically, I am the stereotype...I weigh almost 300 pounds, live in a single dorm, and play a lot of video games. I don't think I've ever stocked my fridge with Dew, though I enjoy it well enough. I don't like Cheetos and Doritos are too expensive ^_^

Aside from gaming snack choice, I think my main deviance from the stereotype is in my personality and education. The fat greasy gamer is usually a social pariah and/or uber nerd. I, conversely, am socially active, work random jobs, do a lot of theater (about as social as one can be), and tend to avoid interaction with those who truly do fit the stereotype, at least "in real life."

But hygienically speaking, if I haven't embraced the stereotype, I haven't exactly battled it either.


Lee Kelly // January 26, 2011 // 12:20 PM

Adam has just reminded me of the other side of the gamer stereotype that I did not address: my personality is a much closer fit than my physicality. I am introverted and dislike large groups; I prefer to socialise with one person at a time or small groups; I also abhor small talk and vapid conversation. I normally play videogames by myself and use headphones, and I enjoy the escapism it provides.


MIchael Ubaldi // January 26, 2011 // 5:13 PM

Riffing off of Lee and Adam, I would say I fall partly within the stereotype — influenced socially more due to my abstract orientation and interests, and quite normal in public. I also tend to prefer multiplayer games, unable to rationalize time "wasted" while alone. Overt gamer culture kind of bores me, even if much of it didn't amount to deliberate acts of (self-)exclusion; common interests help, but I select my acquaintances for different reasons.

Edit, because I can: Mountain Dew, oddly enough, makes me nauseous.


Joseph Powell // January 27, 2011 // 1:23 AM

Wow, great responses so far! I'm on my 2nd week of the 3 week cardio kick-start program on Active 2.0. It's kicking me in the gluts (seriously, they have been aching all day.)
I'm considering getting back into DDR, also. The extra activity certainly wouldn't hurt.


Adam K. Bogert // January 27, 2011 // 3:02 PM

Metabolism is also a factor. I don't deny that my lack of physical activity and overeating have contributed significantly to my weight problem, but my brother -- who does thrive on Doritos and Mountain Dew, and lacks even the daily exercise I get from walking across campus to class -- is thin as a rail.


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