I keep meaning to post a followup to my previous Wii Fit post, complete with pertinent links, pictures and all that. But work/NECC/baby has gotten in the way and it just keeps getting put off. SO, I figured I’ll just do a really quick update for you.
I’ve now owned the Wii Fit for about a five weeks now. During that time I have worked out with it for at least 30 minutes every single day (averaging about 45 minutes usually), with the exception of three days on the road that I worked out without it. I’ve taken one day off so far.
During that time I have dropped 15 pounds (as of this morning). While I’m not sure I look any different, my wife has commented that my face looks like it has thinned out some, and I’ve moved up a notch on my belt and about ready to move up a second notch. You can’t argue with the results and I’m not alone, take a look at the phen375 testimonials I’m very much looking forward to one day hoping on the balance board and NOT having the Wii exclaim “You’re obese!”
I’m still not on a formal diet, but I am trying very hard to make good choices. A creamsicle after dinner rather than Ben and Jerry’s. Eating breakfast at home and bringing my own lunch, so I know what I’m eating and don’t over indulge when I don’t want to do so deliberately. I still treat myself (had a reuben for lunch today), but it’s more rare. And when I do, I make sure that I eat well the rest of the day.
I’ve heard from many other people now that have bought themselves a Wii Fit and are going to try to do the same. Based on my experiences to date, I have a few tips to share.
1) After a while, that step aerobics won’t really do it for you, even on advanced. Free step is great because you can turn off the voice and do it at your own pace. I’ve gotten up to 3400 steps in half an hour. However, to increase the difficulty I bought myself an aerobics step. The kind that you see used in actual step class. Found it at a garage sale for five bucks. Now I put the Wii Fit on top of there and use that for the step games. And THAT really gives you a serious workout.
2) Running in place kinda sucks. I’m just not a huge fan. The Wii Fit could really use some variety with respects to aerobic exercises. So here’s what I do. I’ve gotten myself a few workout DVD’s. To be honest, they’re a little above my level, but I’m growing into them. So I start up the Free Run program for half an hour, and then change the channel to the DVD. While I work out with the DVD’s workout program, I hold the Wii controller. It thinks I’m running! It tells me when a half hour is up, and usually the Wii thinks I’ve run about 3-4 miles. Best thing is that it adds some much needed variety to the workouts. You could use Tae-bo, Richard Simmons, Jane Fonda, whatever floats your boat. And the workout is still logged as fitness minutes by the Wii!
3) While I love the boxing, it’s repetitive and has too many pauses in it while you wait for it to tell you what to do. So I’ve figured out two ways to spice it up. The first is that I do combinations. Instead of just right left right, I’ll do right, cross uppercut. Or maybe I’ll do head punch, body punch, kick. Yes, there are times that it doesn’t register some of them. I’m ok with that. I’m getting a better workout and I’m enjoying it more. More score is the only thing that suffers from this. The other idea is to fill in the time in between exercises with calisthenics. While the other guy is telling me what punches to throw next, I step off the balance board and jog in place. Or I do jumping jacks. Or I simulate jumping rope. It’s just for 5 seconds at a time, but it really helps keep the heartbeat up, which is the whole point to aerobic exercise.
4) One day I wasn’t quite in the mood to exercise, so I did an entire day of Yoga. I was still sweating and exhausted afterwards. Those Yoga exercises really do give you a decent workout, so don’t neglect them. It’s easy to forget about them after a while, but try to work them in between other routines.
5) If you have a treadmill or stairs in your house, you can also work those in. Just like in number 2, you can set the Wii to Free Run, and then go hop on the treadmill while holding your controller. Or go over to your stairwell and do stairs. I was really surprised by the range. My treadmill is on the other side of my house and down one floor. The Wiimote stayed in contact with the Wii the entire time.
That’s it for now. I guess the whole key is that I’m doing what I can do get some variety in there. If I’m bored with one thing, I switch it up. So far, that’s been working for me. My goal was to lose 20 pounds in two months. I have 5 to go and plenty of time to do it in.
And yes, I will be bringing the Wii Fit to NECC with me. Hopefully you won’t be in the hotel room next door!
Hope this helps some of you. If you’re doing the same, let me know how you’re doing in the comments! Would love to chat with others on a similar journey.