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Who's got a Wii Fit?

Lost 6.8 lbs in under a month. WOO HOO!

         

rocknbil

8:15 pm on Sep 1, 2008 (gmt 0)

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My wife bought one of these for our anniversary. The Wii is inherently a "gaming console," but we rarely use it for games. The Wii Fitness program comes with a board that you stand on, it shows your center of balance as a red dot, and you do exercises keeping it within a yellow circle. There are a wide range of Yoga, Aerobic, Strength, and Balance exercises.

I know, who needs one when you can do all this without it - well, it gives you a benchmark and is a motivator to actually do the work. If you miss a day, it tells you ("too busy to work out yesterday, eh?")

What you won't get, even from a professional trainer, is the balance readings that come from the board. This is gold. You have to try it out to see what I mean . . .

The Wii Fit cannot distinguish between muscle mass and fat when testing your BMI. But for most of us, this isn't a problem (we know love handles when we see them!)

I've always been a "slouch" - slightly tipped forward hips in that "keep on truckin' " pose. It has caused me endless lower back aches and I've just dealt with it. In 4 weeks, It's becoming natural to walk with good posture, the back pain is gone . . . and I've lost 6.8 pounds!

Still got a way to go, but this thing is amazing. You get your own personal trainer, using it daily trains you to be aware of your posture and center of balance (Yoga,) and the strength exercises are tuned to building the core muscles to keep your posture correct. And oddly enough, it's fun! It keeps telling me my Wii Fit age is - well, 15 years or more less than my real age. :-)

Does anyone use one of these? As web-people, always sitting at a computer somewhere, it really helps a LOT!

Started: 187.6 lbs.
Today, 4 weeks +1 day: 180.8 lbs.

6.8 lbs in under a month!

Accounting for daily fluctuation of +- 2 lbs

BeeDeeDubbleU

8:46 pm on Sep 1, 2008 (gmt 0)

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By coincidence I was in my next door neighbour's house yesterday and we were playing 10 pin bowling with his Wii. My arm was aching at the end of it.

We also tried the golf but I nearly broke his light. :)

rocknbil

10:21 pm on Sep 1, 2008 (gmt 0)

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<snicker> Yes, Wii Sports is fun too, but you need lots of room. I like the bowling and golf, and the wife absolutely kills me at tennis.

Get them a Wii Fitness board and check it out. :-) They're only $79-$89 U.S.D.

thecoalman

7:16 am on Sep 3, 2008 (gmt 0)

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I'm waiting for the virtual version of El Capitan in Yosemite. :P

At least this system gets kids off the couch. My Nephew has one and it appears he gets lots of low impact exercise just playing games. Next stop is virtual game rooms complete with stationary human size "hamster ball". The possibilities are endless.

rocknbil

5:04 pm on Sep 3, 2008 (gmt 0)

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Yeah that's what EVERYONE says! (The couch reference.) The thing that seems difficult to get across is that the Wii Fitness program is not a video game. Even when we talk with people who have seen the Wii the conversation always moves to a game they can relate to.

The Wii Fitness changes everything about a game console - sure, you can still use the Wii to sit on the couch, point the remote at it, and blast zombies all day - but the Will Fitness program and board gives it a purpose no other gaming console does.

There are no real "games" in the Wii Fitness program. Sometimes after working out we will play one of the Balance games to cool down - but even those are designed to improve balance and agility.

You stand on the balance board and use your whole body to navigate through a course or challenge by shifting your weight. For example, one of them you "head" soccer balls, and shift your weight left and right to hit the balls.

Instead of using your fingers, you use your whole body as a control device, which improves your balance and agility. Not just hand-eye coordination, which is always the "best answer" to "what good are video games?" :-)

Under 180 lbs today! WOOT!


I'm waiting for the virtual version of El Capitan in Yosemite.

See, I don't even know what that is! (I know the mountain, but if it's a game . . . uh . . yeah.) I'm waiting for the Wii balance board version of "How Drunk Are You?" This would be a great party game. "Get on the board if you want your car keys!" LOL . . . .

[edited by: rocknbil at 5:14 pm (utc) on Sep. 3, 2008]

wheel

5:12 pm on Sep 3, 2008 (gmt 0)

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Hey, I already had this idea as it relates to SEO :). I figure a blog showing/discussing using wii fit and how you lost 20/50/100 lbs or whatever would get some traffic. And goodness knows I could stand to lose 20/50/100lbs :).

LifeinAsia

5:13 pm on Sep 3, 2008 (gmt 0)

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You can also surf your room clean [youtube.com]!

rocknbil

5:19 pm on Sep 3, 2008 (gmt 0)

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Oh man that's killer! LOL! I know it was only a matter of time before they hacked something cool like that. I am **really hoping** they don't create a skateboarding or surfing game for the board, otherwise I'm a goner . . . .

They DO have a snowboarding balance game with Wii Fitness - 15 or 20 minutes on that and my ankles are feelin' the burn . . . .

sgietz

9:42 pm on Sep 3, 2008 (gmt 0)

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I vote for a Wii in every office with mandatory 10 min workout sessions every hour. ;)

Sitting at a desk for 8 hours or more is not good for the booty, nor the stuff it sits on. :)

Jane_Doe

10:22 pm on Sep 3, 2008 (gmt 0)

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I've always been a "slouch" - slightly tipped forward hips in that "keep on truckin' " pose. It has caused me endless lower back aches and I've just dealt with it. In 4 weeks, It's becoming natural to walk with good posture, the back pain is gone . . . and I've lost 6.8 pounds!

Sounds great! Maybe I'll give it a try. I bought Dance Dance revolution for the Wii but it didn't help me lose any weight - most likely because I never took it out of the box.

rocknbil

9:23 pm on Sep 4, 2008 (gmt 0)

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most likely because I never took it out of the box.

LOL! The Wii Fit will have the same problem. :-) Yeah we've heard a LOT about D.D.R. and it's a great cardio workout. But I'm with Phil Collins - "I can't dance . . . "

Jane_Doe

9:44 pm on Sep 4, 2008 (gmt 0)

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You've actually got me convinced about trying the Wii fit, but I can't find any online to buy, at least not from a major merchant.

rocknbil

1:07 am on Sep 5, 2008 (gmt 0)

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For a while there, you simply couldn't find them anywhere. We bought ours on eBay for above retail (no I didn't snipe it, wife bought it on a buy it now. :-) ) A week later, they turned up in Wal-Mart. I'd say that would be the best place to try.

A lot of them are being used in retirement homes.

skibum

5:51 am on Sep 5, 2008 (gmt 0)

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I got the dance thing and that is still in the box. Used the FIT a lot when I first got it and its awesome. Have been going to the gym more than using the FIT lately but it is definitely worth $100 or so.

rocknbil

9:27 pm on Sep 15, 2008 (gmt 0)

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DAY 39: 174.8 lbs.

I haven't seen the down side of 175 pounds in AT LEAST 15 years!

My side abs are appearing.

I can see my lower ribs now.

I can feel a six pack under there, but it still has an inch of . . . . hitchhiker tire . . . . to go.

My thighs ALMOST don't touch.

I don't feel lighter, but losing so much in such a short time feels . . . more spry. Agile.

Today I ran what I think is an equivalent of a mile, using an old Indian brave test (I think it was the Apache that did this.) Hold a mouthful of water and run the distance. When you get done, spit it out (in the sink.) This trains you to breathe through your nose during periods of exertion.

Jane_Doe

11:24 pm on Sep 15, 2008 (gmt 0)

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That's great. I finally found a Wii fit online but it hasn't arrived yet. Right now I have my ipod music videos hooked up to play on a big screen TV and I can exercise watching the videos. It makes it a little less boring and so far I've lost a some weight by doing that and cutting out eating anything that tastes good. :)

Next I'm going to try the Michael Phelps diet [nbc.com] (Saturday Night Live spoof).

MatthewHSE

2:00 pm on Sep 16, 2008 (gmt 0)

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Today I ran what I think is an equivalent of a mile, using an old Indian brave test (I think it was the Apache that did this.) Hold a mouthful of water and run the distance. When you get done, spit it out (in the sink.) This trains you to breathe through your nose during periods of exertion.

Wouldn't work well for those of us with allergies. My nose is usually so plugged up I can't breath through it very well just sitting still - I'd probably suffocate if I had to run and only breath through my nose.

rocknbil

4:01 pm on Sep 16, 2008 (gmt 0)

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Doesn't forcing it help open the nasal passages or does it make it worse? I don't know, I've never had allergies. I know it's a bad habit I've always had - mouth-breathing under exertion dries out the throat and allows all sorts of nasty stuff to get in that are supposed to be filtered breathing through the nose.

ectect

11:38 am on Oct 18, 2008 (gmt 0)

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rocknbil, how long do you spend on the wii fit each day?

I've thought about getting one a few times but was wondering if you feel there's a novelty factor at the beginning that wears off or does your progress keep you going?

Good going by the way!

rocknbil

2:38 pm on Oct 19, 2008 (gmt 0)

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I was going to bump this and ask how Jane_Doe is doing. :-)

how long do you spend on the wii fit each day?

When I started it was around 2 hours real-time with 1.5 hours "on the Wii clock." I have it down to around 1:20-1:30 real time and 1:10-1:15 on the Wii clock. I do

- All of the Yoga
- MOST of the strength (there are a couple I don't find very challenging or helpful)
- I then do the aerobics: the advanced Hula Hoop (more work than it seems!), the full "Island Lap" run (about a mile) and 10 minutes of the free-step step aerobics to cool down.

I think I'm around day 75. I have dropped a full 25 lbs as of yesterday.

I've gone from a 34-36 waist to 30-32. Wife bought some blue jeans for me last winter that we put away, she said "just in case." Two months ago I couldn't get into them. Now they are too big, I have to wear a belt.

I have only a handful of padding here and there now, instead of a sack of potatoes. Almost gone.

Imagine, if you will, 25 16 oz. cans of Crisco (shortening, vegetable lard to our non-US friends.) More than what you see on the shelf at small convenience stores. About 4 shopping bags of it. A pyramid 3 feet wide and 24 inches tall. This is what I've lost in under 80 days.

I'm forming a "V shaped body now, whereas before words like "pear" were a fitting description. :-D

One neg: when I sit for extended times on a metal chair or bench, it gets a little more uncomfortable. I have no padding. :-P

I've always had these "chipmunk cheeks" that totally annoyed me. Two little pouches below mid-jaw on each side. Even those are almost gone. I've always hated them, so this is the one (vain!) thing I find most rewarding.

I'm now in the normal BMI range, another 10 lbs and I will be where I was at when I was in high school. :-) I'll make it before Christmas!

was wondering if you feel there's a novelty factor at the beginning that wears off or does your progress keep you going?

It was at first, and worried about the same thing. I have tried working out before, and always lost motivation even though I saw results on the bathroom scale. I think, for me, what's keeping it going is the real-time data being displayed on a daily basis. Sure, someone could do that manually, keep a chart, etc., but who goes through the trouble to do that? If you have trouble getting motivated, this is just one more thing to do.

The Wii fit does it all for you - and I will admit, I like to go in and scroll back to the beginning, look at my aggressively downward sloping curve, and it does give a strong sense of accomplishment. So even though the Mac-like feelgood interface of the Wii is mildly annoying, I don't see a drop in motivation. :-)

The other thing is for those of you that go to the gym, consider that from the time you go out the door and come back, if you're lucky only 1/3 of that time is spent actually exercising. With the Wii Fit, you roll our of bed, down a cuppa Joe, and it's all right there, in the privacy of your own home. And time is really a big deal for most of us.

Off to burn more calories, this is working. :-)

rj87uk

5:13 pm on Oct 19, 2008 (gmt 0)

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rocknbil, Fineeeeee I will go buy one. Mum asked me last month.

Jane_Doe

7:06 pm on Oct 19, 2008 (gmt 0)

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I was going to bump this and ask how Jane_Doe is doing. :-)

The Wii Fit is doing great. Its sitting in the box next to the Dance Dance Revolution stuff. :)

Actually this time I have a good excuse. I injured my shoulder so I couldn't really do anything but walk lately for exercise.

SuzyUK

9:15 pm on Oct 19, 2008 (gmt 0)

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I got one, cos apparently it was the latest thingie.. so just to let you know that if I don't answer for a while it means I've actually used it, starting weight doesn't even register :o, and I am unfit!

rocknbil

2:51 pm on Nov 30, 2008 (gmt 0)

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Just over 110 days, I hit -30 lbs at day 103. I've only got a few small handfuls that need to go, they seem so much more apparent now than when they had . . . company.

My wedding ring is in danger of falling off, I think I need to get it resized.

Women want to take me shopping. It must be something to do with doll-dressing as kids. <shrug>

The Thanksgiving Holiday didn't add a single pound, and I was able to feast like everyone else. I just worked it off. :-)

The down-side, when I drum now (sitting) it's almost painful, I have no padding!

This costs me 1.5 hours every day, a pittance compared to the time I waste explaining why it's so important to keep your domain name registration current (for example.)

So how's everyone doing with their Wii Fit?

anallawalla

2:24 am on Dec 1, 2008 (gmt 0)

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Just borrowed one to try on my son's Wii. Looks like we'll have to buy one. Takes getting used to, e.g. counter-intuitive to hit a soccer ball with your "head" by shifting your weight.

Damn, just as with "make money fast" ebooks you actually have to do something...

youfoundjake

4:31 am on Dec 1, 2008 (gmt 0)

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rocknbill, just found this thread, that's a great accomplishment, me? i need a wii eat, a little on the thin side myself, 124lb, but i eat like a horse, so go figure..

annej

5:13 pm on Dec 1, 2008 (gmt 0)

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You've actually got me convinced about trying the Wii fit, but I can't find any online to buy, at least not from a major merchant.

And when you do find one they've put the price way up. Resellers are selling them way above the usual price.

We set it so Amazon sent a text message when they got them in. They went on sale at 1:00 am so my hubby stayed up and ordered right away and we got one at the regular price. The next morning Amazon was out of them again.

CrustyAdmin

5:40 pm on Dec 1, 2008 (gmt 0)

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Wii Fit is great. We have one and use it a lot. I'm amazed at it really. I have a background in exercise physiology. You will see sports and rehab clinics using this it's that good. The balance exercises are great.

Lord Majestic

5:43 pm on Dec 1, 2008 (gmt 0)

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It's brilliant Wii console and Wii Fit is superb! :)

annej

2:54 am on Dec 2, 2008 (gmt 0)

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We got another text message from Amazon today that WII fit is in. I guess they don't keep track of whether you bought one the last time.
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