An Overview of the Wii Fit.

It’s a discovery that is exciting me. I seem to have found the key for Wii Fit, walking to lose weight and me. Regular readers of this blog will know how I like to avoid weight monitoring and prefer checking out the clothes and how they fit. I do however have the occasional weigh in for confirmation purposes. This I have taken to doing on the Wii Fit. It is a fantastic mechanism for the detail work- weight, BMI, goals, time frame. The introductory trailer above isn’t working properly but this link to it shows some Wii Fit features for measuring progress.

I’m doing brisk walking of at least an hour daily, and my clothes are getting looser.

But today with the weather not so good, and feeling frustrated with my work/life balance I woke up feeling more reluctant than usual. Inspiration hit, perfect timing to get out the Wii Fit. Now generally if I want to walk inside than I get out the Walk Away the Pounds DVD, I use it a lot. I am definitely a fan of Wii Fit but ever since I changed my walking program to one hour I haven’t returned to the Wii for exercise. In the past I found that I could get to about 30, maybe 35 minutes Wii exercise before getting bored.

I started using Wii Fit on November 24th and since then have lost 6.8 kg (just under 15 lbs) and just over 2 BMI % points.

So I get it out, which is not that difficult because I haven’t actually packed it away this time, just tidied it up. As usual I remember why I find it so much fun, it asked me how I was and then about Gaz, a friend who hasn’t been around much, then inquired as to how Gaz is looking, has he lost weight? I said he had put it on just to see the response. It advised that it was best not to mention “it”.

I have lost 2.4 kilos in the last 30 days. About 5 lbs. Today it is raining and windy and generally unpleasant. And I am feeling less than enthusiastic about my weight loss than usual. Generally I feel super confidant about the weight I am losing because I’m doing brisk walking of at least an hour daily, carefully monitoring what I eat and my clothes are getting looser, or actually fitting, in some cases.

So I need a boost and the Wii Fit test is the way to do it. I anticipate a good result but have had times when the answers are not what I wanted to hear. This is where an attitude of resilience comes in. Ignore the poor results unless it is gives you good information.

The fitness tests let you check out your history and then I take a different approach with the exercises. Take jogging. I have always found it difficult to work out the desired 60% running speed. And I can’t find a way where swinging my arms to burn those extra calories feels right. Until today. I decided to play with the options and increase the standard distance to a round the island run…but this time I walk. Marching on the spot and it works really well, and I can swing my arms and burn those extra calories (if I want to). So a marching action works for anyone who is turned off by jogging.

Then the hula hoop-I have seen a couple of videos with girls doing this and it has puzzled me because they do it in a sort of lazy way to my mind but…

turns out that is the way to get the best result! That is score highly on the Wii for that exercise.

I tried it on a few other of the games and it is a very successful strategy. This is very motivating. It helped me get to 62 minutes without really trying by doing some muscle exercises, balance games and aerobics.

Slowing down allows you to refine the posture and other details, check the balance monitors, succeed at the game and feel in control.

Walking to lose weight on the Wii Fit!

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Anyone in an office or home-based business can find that an average day actually requires very little movement. This is how a pedometer can really help with keeping you on track with an exercise program.

Adding one hour of walking (which can include several tasks) will generally bring the number of steps for the day over 10,000 which is the number required to lose weight. If you are active in other ways then walking for 20 minutes might do it for you.

If I can’t get away to walk outside an option for me is to put on a dvd or the Wii Fit. The walking dvd is usually my first choice because it is much easier to set up, I can do it in my little home office without disturbing anyone else and it requires very little space if I happen to have lots of boxes and paperwork spread around. The Wii Fit requires a little more set up, and a more central position if others are in the console’s area.

The gym is also an opportunity to vary my routine, do a little treadmill walking or attend a group. Sometimes it is just what I need, with other calorie burners walking to lose weight or exercising in some other way around me. It gets me out-sometimes that is a good thing! but weather is not an issue. So it is an option I usually consider under the right circumstances- perhaps It’s raining and others in the house are doing their own stuff which I don’t wan’t to compete against, so to speak.

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Have you spoken to your friendly Wii Fit trainer recently? I have just pulled the console etc. out of its extended holiday hiding place and then needed to change the batteries in the remote control. This is what happens with extended disuse.

One of the tools on Wii Fit which helps with a weight loss program is the BMI and goal setting. While the Walking to Lose Weight program is not an advocate of constant weight monitoring the regular periodic check in to see the results or lack of them, is beneficial. While an absolute proponent of the slow and steady process for weight loss, there can be perceived effort without result which requires analysis.

Weight loss requires balancing fat reduction and muscle building. It is possible to do one without the other which is not what is really required. BMI is not the absolute criteria because it has its weaknesses but it can give some guidance as to how you are going on this score. As muscle builds you may find that your ideal weight is now heavier than it used to be say 15 years ago. Is this really a problem? For some it is but it only requires a slight revision to your thinking to realise that the number on the scale is not generally public information. It is like the other fallacy that developing the musculature in women results in a freakish look. This can be a concern to some women even though there are countless examples of beautifully feminine women who do weight work, because there are also examples of women who’s look they don’t want – the question becomes how do you know which is the right way or where to get the best advice.

Generally the best idea is to look at the trainers or advisers, gym regulars or class attendees of the program you are considering – how do they look? With the in home programs generally the look of the trainer on the dvd will give you a basis for understanding the look you are heading towards if you follow their guidance.
While walking dvds are a definite advantage for the serious at home weight loser, easier and require less thought to use, the Wii Fit has extra charm and builds in a variety of exercises and keeps track of your progress. I find room for both types of indoor walking.

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Overweight can have a lot to do with eating for comfort, a habit learned in childhood, for many people.

Weight loss can be an uncomfortable process.

Immediately a tension is created.

Often your success is determined by how well the Walking to Lose Weight process can be comforting for you. There are 2 aspects to this: the physical and self image.

Your Body

Your body is not you. It is a part of who you are but is a short term representation of the total you. As you are today is temporary. The cells in our bodies constantly change having varying life spans. Our hair and fingernails grow. The way your body looks is ever changing. If for some reason you are not satisfied with you body remember that change is happening. In minute details, if not more, your body has already changed for the good.

In walking to lose weight it is far easier to get started and to have less concern about the physical aspects of the process.

It is important to have the right and comfortable attire, especially shoes, and appropriate gear for outside conditions. Often these items are already in the wardrobe.

Weather is controllable by exercising inside or in a gym or other air conditioned environment.

The warm up and slow down with walking …is walking. Easily done.

Do people look silly walking? Not often.

The pace with which you start is up to you. It is not likely to damage your body by walking slowly if you are inactive or rehabilitating, and faster if you are basically fit.

The physical discomfort exercising does bring if you push your body, as is likely, must be bearable. Only experience will tell how much extra you can ask of it without running to the chocolate. Balancing this is a fine but important task for walking for weight loss.

Self Image

Self image is a major part of the 31 Ways to Losing Weight Walking journey. Through out this process you must retain a positive view of yourself. Often our focus moves to ways for you to find emotional support in maintaining the exercise and calorie reduction necessary.

It may surprise you to realise that by putting appropriate self or body appreciation along side the walking and calorie burning, it can expedite your success.

Comfort Zone

The stress caused by going outside your comfort zone threatens to send you back towards your reliable method of de-stressing: eating.
One way of expanding your comfort zone is a non-threatening walking or exercising process at home. This is where walking DVDs and the Wii Fit can be very helpful.

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Walking: Exercise or Activity?

Both obviously. Stated again, the Walking to Lose Weight philosophy endorses an active life as the easiest method for successful weight loss for those who have had weight problems over the long term – walking being central to that lifestyle.

Exercise?

Exercise has an imperative tone. Do me now! However many overweight people are so because they don’t “like” exercise. Possibly, like me, have never seen the relationship between regular exercise and well being, mental and creative achievement, feeling good. Exercise has a temporary or short term feel and may bring up mental images of jocks and eager beavers. Which we hate-or use to!

Activity?

Activity on the other hand is broader and not as sweaty sounding. More normal perhaps.

A minimum level of activity for a normally functioning man or woman would be 10,000 steps a day. There is an enormous range of ‘normal’ activity counted in this measurement. It includes your work or shopping day etc. It is easier to become aware of what is required to be active by counting daily steps.

The perspective of this blog is that your mental view of walking as a normal activity in addition to its role as a weight loss tool is integral to your long term success iin walking to lose weight.

Walking during a normal day, going on a walk – all exercise and activities. The gym, walking DVDs, the Wii Fit – exercise and activity. Listening to a book while walking to work, playing vigorous interactive TV games or gardening – exercise and activity.

31 Ways to Losing Weight Walking.

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I generally agree, with these additional comments: the Wii Fit is easy to set up; the assessments are blunt and can be inaccurate; the exercises I do are fun; some of the exercises don’t appeal (yoga, muscle fitness) and I don’t use them because using Wii Fit to supplement my exercise program, I’m not dependent on Wii Fit for strength building exercise.

If you need to be convinced to attend the gym, avoid walking outside and can’t imagine doing it inside, then the Wii Fit program can offer you many options for fun ways to get moving. I like the jogging as a warm up. The step games work as activity particularly if you are counting steps but of course in general a long walk outside would give better results. I weigh in monthly. You can even do this without knowing your weight at all, which I like. I have had 2 weigh ins with one loss and one gain. I haven’t taken the gain too seriously as muscle build up can add weight

As a general policy when exercising to lose weight I enthuse about what is working for me and ignore what isn’t. Often that means that some process or piece of equipment may be imperfect but some of it isn’t, so it’s worth persevering. Walking itself comes into that category. I supplement my weight loss program with the gym, Wii Fit, games, ipods, dvds, friends, forums.

Wii Fit has some limitations in that the already slim or active, who are looking to tone or trim, may expect too much from it. It is definitely aimed at the inactive and overweight where some activity, with gradual increases, will produce results.

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