Our next step in gaming fitness is to find a way to squeeze in a workout while playing video games. In this installment we are going to focus on Shooters and Fighting games.

The method given below I have successfully used for awhile now. Feel free to adjust to suit your needs.

Shooters & Fighting
First we are going to focus on multiplayer. Gaming for three hours.
1. Every other match alternate one rep of five of squats, push-ups and crunches.
2. When KDR is negative (more deaths than kills)/you lose a round, alternate one rep of five arm curls and leg lifts.

This next part is for playing the story. Gaming session of three hours.
1. Every fourty-five minutes of gaming take a ten minute break. Take this time to do simple stretches and walk. Around the room, home, anywher so long as you are walking!
2. Every save/checkpoint do #1 from the muliplayer.
3. Everytime you die, do #2 from the muliplayer.

Parent Tip
When your child is gaming, set a timer for every 20-30 minutes. At those time intervals have your child do age/ability appropriate evercise. Even if your child walks around the room three times, they are moving!

You will notice that cardio is not part of gaming fitness. I have found that doing a quick cardio workout before I start gaming really seems to 'wake' me up. I tend to play better.

Next time in Gaming Fitness, I will reveal my RPG strategy.

Disclaimer: I am only offering my opinions and experience. Always consult with your doctor before starting any new/different exercise.

It seems the negative stereotype is that video gamers AKA gamers are, well, fat and unfit. As with any group of people this may be true of some. From cashiers to executives, all have a percentage of members that are unhealthy.

I know many gamers. Very few are unfit. A few are pro athletes. Some are military, firefighters or cops - all fit professions. Still others I know and game with follow a great workout routine.

But once in awhile a great video game is released that just grabs our time. A few years back I came up with a way to meld both exercising and gaming together.

Please do not insult me by thinking I sling on some workout "video game". I play real video games ranging from Shooters to RPGs. None of which, currently, are motion related.

For parents, the media portrays video games negatively. Especially where fitness is concerned. Yes, as a parent your job is to protect your child from video games that are not child-friendly. So only some of my tips and suggestions will apply to helping you help your child onto the path of a fit gamer.

So gamers, parents of gamers and anyone connected to gaming, pay attention. Over the next few weeks this series is going to help you all!

As a woman that games as well as advocating parents being involved with their kids while gaming, especially multiplayer, I have erred. Not a minor faux pas. Nope. A big OMGS blunder. Let me explain.

Recently I was spending time gaming with my stepson. He is an impressionable six years old and thinks I am the Goddess of Gaming.

The game was Rated Everyone and age appropriate. The problem was that I wasn't.

I had become so engrossed in playing I momentarily forgot he was there snuggled up to me.

The language that escaped me, bypassing my brain, would make sailors blush.

I froze panicing. Then I realized this was the perfect opportunity to discuss with him how it was lazy and wrong of me and others to speak this way.

We also discussed how even though we make mistakes we aren't "bad". But that the action itself is "bad".

We rounded it all out with a quick talk about practsing good sportspersonship.

I do love when great parenting opportunities present themselves!

Here is a sneak peek at some DLC to expand your video games.

Portal 2 - Peer Review
Price - Free for PC/Mac (auto download via Steam), PS3 XBox 360
Remember that cross-platform co-op gameplay is only for PC, Mac & PS3 users.
Release Date - October 4, 2011 (now)

Dragon Age 2 - Mark of the Assassin
Price - PC/Mac 800 BioWare Points, PS3 $9.99, XBox 360 800 MSP
All new mission with Felicia Day (The Guild) as the voice of Tallis a new elf assassin companion.
Release Date - October 11, 2011

Batman: Arkham City - Robin, Catwoman & Nightwing
Price - TBA
Note that these are 3 different DLCs with achievements.
Release Date - October 2011 & November 2011

Deus Ex: Human Revolution - The Missing Link
Price - TBA
Release Date - TBA later this week

Gears of War 3 - Horde Command Pack
Price - XBox 360 800 MSP
Get three new muliplayer maps, command posts, fortification levels plus three new characters - Bernie, Big Rig Dizzy & Onyx Guard.
Release Date - November 1, 2011

Dead Island - Bloodbath Arena
Price - PC $10, PS3 $10, XBox 360 800 MSP (free for pre-order owners)
Single and multiplayer DLC XP transfers over to main story XP.
Release Date - TBA

Quick reminder for the patient and frugal people out there: Most of these games will come out with a game of the year which includes DLC. Can you wait a year from release date?