Now we're Wii Fit!!!

Before the Wii Fit game and balance board was released, we had Dance Dance Revolution, and my kids loved it, but I found it a boring way to keep fit (mainly because I wasn't very good at it, and the mat kept slipping). As soon as I saw the Wii Fit commericals, I knew it was for me!!!

I asked for one for my birthday, and I GOT ONE!!! My husband found it very easily at Sears and paid the manufacturer's recommended price of $89.99. People are paying far more than that online, thinking that they are not available locally.

The fun begins:
The Wii Fit package includes the Wii Fit Game CD in a hard case, and the Wii Fit Balance Board which is battery powered, like the Wiimotes, and serves as a scale, BMI indicator, aerobic step, balance board...and conscience!! The Balance board is better used on a hard surface, but in case you will be using it on carpet, the package includes four extra legs that snap on to the existing legs to raise the balance board up away from the carpet slightly. There are plenty of instructions and related bits of paper in the box, but the equipment is pretty self explanatory and the system is intuitive.

Starting Up:
Batteries for the balance board are included in the packaging - thanks Nintendo! - and after placing the batteries, please note that you also need to have a Wiimote on hand for this game. Some of the fitness exercises use only the balance board, and you simply need to scroll through the commands with the Wiimote. However, some of the exercises use only a Wiimote or a Wiimote and Nunchuck. Better have them all on hand for when you need them.

A wake Up Call:
Follow the instructions on the Wii Fit Menu and you will be given the chance to be completely shamed and humiliated by stepping on the Balance Board and having your weight, balance and Body Mass Index recorded, stumble about on the board, and then be given your calculated Wii Fit Age. I obviously desperately needed this thing all along, if only to tell me that I really need to exercise more! However, this system records your weight and BMI every time you exercise, and tracks your progress.



Down to Business:
There are 4 categories of exercise:
Yoga
Strength
Aerobic
Balance

Every exercise you work on is tracked by number of minutes and recorded as Wii Fit points.

Yoga - The system starts your training regime by assigning several basic yoga poses, with the chance to earn points to unlock more poses. The yoga moves are designed to help you work on a better center of balance and greater flexibility. Deep Breathing, Half-Moon, Warrior, Tree, Sun Salutation are the basic poses to start your training with, and Standing Knee, Palm Tree, Chair, Triangle, Downward-Facing Dog, Dance, Cobra, Bridge, Spinal Twist, and Shoulder Stand are added gradually as you earn enough points to unlock the new poses

Strength - Again, the system starts with several basic strength exercises including Single Leg Extension, Push-up and Side Plank, Torso and Waist Twists, followed by more challenging Jackknife, Lunge, Rowing Squat, Single Leg twist, Sideways Leg Lift, Parallel Stretch, Triceps Extension, Arm and Leg Lift, Single Arm Stand, and finally the ultimate Push-up Challenge, Jackknife Challenge, and Stretch Challenge. All exercised start with a basic number of reps. and more are unlocked and added as you earn fit points and progress.

Aerobic - You start out with Jogging, Step Aerobic,and Hula Hoop, and then as you accrue fit points, Rhythm Boxing, Step Aerobic Challenge, Free Step, 2 person Jogging and Super Hula Hoop and Rhythm Boxing are later added. There may be more, I haven't unlocked them all yet!

Balance - Ski Jumping and Ski and Snowboard Slaloms are the first games available and are so addicting, you may not get around to the actual exercising! Soccer Ball Heading, Table Tilt, Tightrope Walk, Balance Bubble, Penguin Slide and Lotus Focus are the more advanced games avaialble as you gain Fit Points to unlock the levels.

Ready...Set....Go!
Start by choosing your Mii character (I named mine Mommii), and your trainer (male or female) Step on the balance board to get a baseline weight and BMI (and Wii Fit age is you are brave or confident enough). Then begin. That green dot on the white screen that you see when you step on the balance board is an indication of how good your balance is. The aim is to stand on the board with good balance at all times. Start an exercise, watch the trainer for instructions the first time, and then, when you are ready to begin, follow his or her lead. Keep your balance within the yellow area or above the blue line (depending on the exercise)to earn extra points. Work through Yoga, Strength, Aerobic and finish with Balance Games for a fun and thorough workout every day (or every other day if you are busy or do other exercises). After every exercise you do, the game will calculate your rating and give you standing compared to other users, and to your previous scores on a particular exercise. You can also record any other forms of exercise you do daily, such as walking, cleaning, gardening, running, swimming, soccer, climbing, and many others. Adding this information to your activity log will earn you extra points.

It takes two...or more - The Wii Fit program will record results for the whole family. Only one person at a time can use the Wii Fit, but it will track everyones' workout, weight, BMI, Fit Points and Activity Log. Every user must have created their own Mii.

Lets face it, exercising can get very boring, and that's why so many people (myself included) tend to stray away from exercise so easily. This is fun, a great work out and it records my progress, so I am a lot more likely to stick with the program (after all, since my husband uses it too, and I am very competitive, there is no way I can let him score higher than me!!)
My personal favorite games are Super Hula Hoop, Rhythm Boxing, Ski Jump, Super Step Aerobic and Jackknife Challenge.

Results - weight down 5lbs, BMI down 2 points, Wii Fit Age 9 years below my true age. I still have a long way to go, but I am enjoying the journey!!