Monday, April 20, 2009

Musings

Hey guys!

I am still here, believe it or not. :) The craziness has ramped up, believe it or not. I'm still hanging in there, while also giving myself person to take it easy. I've tried out some new snacks and expanded my repertoire a bit, so that's helpful. And with the nice weather we've been having, I've been getting out for a lot more walks and exercise with the kids.

I just spent a few minutes reading up on Wii and Wii Fit last night. I've always said no to having a game system up here, since it's bad enough that my kids want to plan on the computer all day (we limit it, and they have to earn time through chores). But the idea of something like Wii Fit is awfully appealing. The only thing is that it costs so much! I noticed that Barnes and Noble sells it online, though, and we usually get several B&N gift cards for our birthdays every year. I'm thinking that maybe we can hold out 'til then and use our GCs for that. It's only a few more months..

Does anyone use Wii Fit? Is it everything it's made out to be? For those of you with kids, how do you balance their desire to game with their very real need for outdoor time, free play, and real-world physical stimulation?

30 comments:

deborah said...

check out craigslist for a used WII. thanks for your list and your Blog I am encouraged

Suechan said...

I've never used Wii Fit, but I have played Dance Dance Revolution. (a similar game is called Step Mania) I lost 8 lbs on it initially and fell out of practice. I'm getting back into it though and I can feel that my heart rate is going when I play.

One of the ups (or downs) about Wii Fit that I've heard is that it basically yells at you if you skip a day.

Good luck in your search! Your blog is very encouraging - thanks for sharing it!!

Stacey said...

have the Wii Fit and I only used it for a week. I hate it. It is not at all what I thought it would be. The yoga is very hard to do and the games are boring and they only last a few min so you have to keep stopping to replay them. I would not invest in one until you read more comments on the web. I wish I had. As far as kids with video games I am kindof flexable as long as homework is done and each child is currently active in atleast 2 activities ie..swim baseball, karate. I really dont mind them and this goes for my 17 year old and my 5 year old. I have a 3 and 2 year old that this obviously does not apply to.

MsCrys said...

Be careful of craigslist should you decide to go ahead and make a purchase. I just saw this on yahoo, it's quite scary. http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/index.php?rn=222561&cl=13062262&ch=224106

Also, my friends who don't workout liked wii fit at first but eventually were bored of it. My friends who walk, run, etc. hated it with a passion. I'd suggest saving your money and continuing with walks. You don't have to go fast, it doesn't cost a penny and it's a good time to clear your mind.

Good luck with whatever you choose to do. :)

-Crys

RitaS. said...

I'm happy for you - you're a fighter. One day at the time, one meal at the time. Be mindful of your choices and you'll make it. Good luck!!!

Granty said...

I got a wii fit for xmas, which I've been using intermittently ever since - I've lost 11 lbs so far. I think they're great. I hate going the gym and I hate going out to exercise in public so it's perfect if you're anything like me. I could probably lose another stone if I put my mind to it. Give it a go, it's fun to use and you'll find you've done a workout without even thinking about it. You can always sell it if it's not for you - if however you benefit from it, like I have, then it's worth it's weight in gold. Check out my web page (I haven't updated it in a while!)
http://www.roygbiv.co.uk/wii-fit-weight-loss-results.htm

Gretchie said...

Hey-I agree...I have a Wii fit and find it a little tedious to keep reseting the workout because it is short...I find limiting my son's Wii time was difficult at first. We limit to 30min/day he has control of when but we have stuck to the 30 min limit.

Doripink said...

I don't have a Wii but tried it at my nephews house. Wasn't impressed enough to spend $300! LOL!
Exercising is the hardest...I haven't done P90X in a week, starting back tomorrow...should be nice and sore by Friday...just in time for the weekend!

Kathy said...

I got a Wii fit about 6 weeks ago and have lost 21 pounds. I love it. I am not one to go to the gym and we walk the dog at night but that was not enough for me. I love the fact that it keeps a weight and BMI so I can keep track of my progress. New fitness games coming out in May for it.

Rachael said...

I have a Wii fit and I love it! It is so good for those days that I can't get to the gym or get outside. I can do it after my kid goes to bed. I was surprised at how much of a workout you can get from it! You can do step aerobics, which I like, and the more you exercise, the higher levels of things (including longer sessions) you can unlock. I like going to do the yoga at the end to calm and cool down. I think it's especially good for rainy days, days you just can't get out before evening, and for people who really hate the gym!

Amber said...

Hi Rachel. This is the first time I have seen your blog. Thanks for sharing your journey and info. I too have been wondering if I should purchase a Fit board and use Wii for exercise. I love playing tennis on WiiSports. My coworker says there's a hulahoop game that's really fun and she says you can really feel your stomach muscles working. Anyway, best of luck to you, and thanks for posting.
-Amber

Stepheeee said...

I have the wii fit and I like it for when I feel like playing around with my son who is 6. We can do almost all of the activities together. It is not something that I could just sit down and lose weight with. However, wii has come out with some aerobic games (jillian from Biggest loser has one and a couple others...). I was waiting to try to rent one first, but our video store is not going to be getting them. I am waiting for a used one. I've heard they are worth the money and they work great. As for limiting, the wii is a very active gaming system. My son is off the couch running all over the living room with the games. I do limit his time, but he is active. I would choose this one over the others, plus it has tons more family friendly games.

CrystalC said...

I got my Wii Fit a little over two weeks ago and I love it. I am also overweight and I hate going to the gym where people can see me working out. I love that I can do the Wii Fit whenever it's convenient for me in the privacy of my own home. I also like that the trainer on the game shows you how to do each exercise or yoga pose correctly, and that based on the positioning of your weight it can determine if you're doing it correctly. For someone who isn't used to working out and doesn't know whether she's doing it right or not, I find that incredibly helpful.

The only thing I dislike about Wii Fit is that it expects you to do your 'body test' (weighing in) every day. I prefer a program where I can weigh in once or twice a week to monitor my progress without the obsession of doing it every day. From my career (I work with young adults with eating disorders), I've found that having such an obsessive relationship with the scale can quickly lead to the development of unhealthy habits. Of course, you can always use the Wii Fit to train every day without doing the body test. But, it reminds you that you "should" be doing your body test every day.

Overall, I find it's an excellent tool for someone trying to lose weight. But, alone, it's not enough. If you have the money laying around, go for it. If it's a purchase that would set you back, I'd probably skip it.

Anonymous said...

Hey! I bought a Wii fit and after a while I grew bored with it (as I did with the Wii in general) But maybe you would really like it!

Good luck with the weight loss. I've been dealing with my weight my whole life, and after creeping back up to 211 yesterday when I went to Weight Watchers I am back to fully tracking all my points again. Will check in with you time to time! :) - Justin in Boston

Deb said...

I'm a big believer in the Wii Fit, but it's not for everyone. I like that I can exercize at home, when I want, by myself or with my kids. The yoga is hard at first - but isn't that the point? I think the strength training is LOTS harder, but I've definitely noticed a difference. And if you are good about doing it, then you unlock more activites, harder exercises, longer exercises, more reps, etc. Plus, my husband and I have an "informal" competition going on the Wii Fit, so that helps keep us motivated =) I only do the body test once a week. To join the Gym near us, it would be $100 fee to join and $65/month for a family membership. The $300 investment in this made a lot more sense to us.

As far as my kids, the Wii Fit games (and many of the regular Wii Games - we have Dancing with the Stars - fun!) require physical activity, so I really don't care if they play it often. It hasn't cut down on thier outside time at all. They tend to want to play it when it's raining or after dark.

Trisha said...

Hi my name is Trisha. About 7 years ago, I lost 168 pounds on WW. My high weight was 308 and my lowest was 140! I was extremely determined and disciplined. The scale at home actually said ERR... ERROR, so it was definitely time to do something! Well, over the last 2 years I gained about 20 lbs. UGH! Doesn't seem like a lot, but it can easily snowball into more. I'm going to a WW meeting tonight! What I'm trying to say is that you can definitely do it!:)

Teddybearnuts said...

I've been on WW for 6 weeks and have lost almost 25 lbs. In the third week, I started walking every morning with a co-worker...we get off the subway early and walk to the office - it's a good brisk 25 min walk. I have 115 lbs. to lose. I've often heard it said that walking is the best exercise, and it's free!

Justin said...

I decided to start blogging too :) Anything to push me in the right direction!

Unknown said...

We love the Wii fit in our home. The reason, my husband likes to see if he can beat everyone in the activities even the yoga! What a nut! I liked it too until I fractured my ankle (not on the wii fit). I am now behind everyone else. If anything, it gets the kids moving when it is bad outside and we love the competition. We even video ourselves doing the hoola hoop and e-mail it to family that is not close by and then even they are in on the fun. I don't plan on using it for my long term fitness but like it now and then and to enjoy with my family.

Lisa Chelle said...

I heard the Wii Fit is mean to you - but hey that motivates some people.

I love your blog,by the way.

Dianne said...

Just wanted to say what a great site you have!!...thanks to your site (which I use every day and have passed it on to my friends and others trying to lose weight)...I have been able to plan my meals so that I stay within my allotted points and along with an exercise regiment...have lost nearly 12 pounds in the past month...thank you so much for all the effort and hard work you have put into your site and permitted others to use as a guide...I have been trying for two years to lose weight and until I found your site and started using it on a daily basis to help guide I couldn't lose a pound...now I am well on my way to reaching my weight loss goal!...thank you!!

RecoveringCoffeeholic said...

Hi my name is Maria. I found your weight watchers point list online after doing some reference work for my own WW journey and think I will start following your blog if you don't mind. God Bless!

Gus said...

I have a Wii Fit and I LOVE it! I use it every day! I can do stepping while I watch tv in the evenings (I use free weights to work out my arms while I'm stepping too). It's great! The yoga and strength training exercises are difficult in the beginning, but what isn't? I'm not overweight because I'm in good shape!! I also bought a game called "My Fitness Coach" for the Wii - great work out! Even just playing tennis or boxing with my husband (on Wii) can be a workout in itself! I strongly recommend it! Best money I've spent in a long time!

Anonymous said...

I do have a Wii Fit and like anyone who has it, at first it is fun. But once you use it for awhile like anything else it gets boring. I didnt like how when you weighted yourself it would pretty much tell you that you havent lost a pound which really got old. They now have out that Action for Will. It is much cheaper and looks like you would get more of a workout.

Keep trying!

Melissa said...

Love the Wii Fit. There's also a new one out - EA Sports "Active" for the Wii and it's awesome. Like having your own personal trainer, and they have a 30-day challenge. The workout changes daily, which keeps it interesting!

Anonymous said...

We just recently purchased a Wii & Wii Fit. Unfortunately I haven't been able to use the Wii Fit yet as I received that lovely error message one of the other posters referenced about the bathroom scale.

Anyway, we also purchased a Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum game. That has been well worth it and you can do it WITHOUT the Wii Fit Balancing Board. With the JM, you can set how long you work out (5 minutes up to however long as far as I have seen).

AH1234 said...

If you're looking to lose weight, Wii Fit is not the best. I would recommend EA Active. I have both and believe Wii Fit is more about balance while EA Active gives you a good resistance and cardio workout.

moxie said...

My fiance and I are losing weight by doing nutrisystem (him) and WW (me) and doing the 30 day challenge on wii active--I actually look forward to working out, and I do get sweating! I recommend it.

mom of 2 said...

try gamestop as well, i pked up a used wii fit and wii fit plus game for half the price of other stores. i've been using mine everyday and i've got 2 under 4 yrs old and they lke to get involved when i work out. the mimick my movements, it's not like video games you sit on your butt and play, they are active games....i love it, it makes me want to work out.

mom of 2 said...

try gamestop as well, i pked up a used wii fit and wii fit plus game for half the price of other stores. i've been using mine everyday and i've got 2 under 4 yrs old and they lke to get involved when i work out. the mimick my movements, it's not like video games you sit on your butt and play, they are active games....i love it, it makes me want to work out.