Any Wii Exercisers Here? - A Newbie Story

[NYPDwife]

Okay, I've tried this whole W.I.S.H. thing before and FAILED. Miserably. The concept is great, put a whole bunch of people who hope to get healthy together and they'll inspire each other right? Not. Maybe it was just me. Yeah, thinking back, it probably was. I don't think I was ready, YET.

I've been wanting to lose weight for a while. I used to have an AWESOME body. I mean awesome. I'm short, 4'9" to be exact and at my glory, I weighed between 105 & 120 pounds. Yes, even with a 15 lb. difference, I still fit my size 4 Gap jeans perfectly. And I looked DAMN good in them.

The last time I wore my size 4's was 9 years ago. I finally gave them away last year. I loved those jeans. I'm a Latin girl and I have hips, thighs and BUTT. Major butt. Even with all that, I used to feel so great in those things but I finally gave them to the Salvation Army with the hope that someone else would look good in them.

Not too long after, I decided to get healthy and even though I HATE, HATE, HATE my medication, I decided I needed to go back to the doctor and get thyroid rechecked. First I had to go to my GP who sent me for bloodwork. When my T3 and T4 levels came back high, she referred me to an endocrinologist. I immediately liked this woman. She gave me some great options and explained why I needed to go back on my dreaded Tapazole. Now for those of you who take this, you may feel the same way I do. It gives me the I really don't want to do jack-doo-doo today feeling. I'm tired, I'm sluggish, my Aunt Flo is crabby and all that other great stuff.

Jump to Christmas. I convinced DH to get the Wii for the kids (sure, sure, it really WAS for them) along with the new Raving Rabbids game. Right after New Years (after they got tired of the game), I decided to jump on the Wii Fit and I haven't stopped since. This thing has really given me the inspiration I've been looking for. I love how it tells you how much weight to put where, etc. I TRY to do 30 min. each day and sometimes skip days, but such is the life of a mom.

Well, this morning, I did the Island Lap and I was sooooo tired after, but with the encouragement of my DH, I didn't stop, but everytime I got winded, I marched in place until I got my strength back. I looked it up on line and I think it's a 1/2 mile and I did it in 10 minutes! Sounds like nothing?? Well it's something to me. I've been so lazy for the longest time and this thing is great!!

I have to ask; there are a few exercise games by trainers for the Wii Fit, has anyone tried them? How did you do? If they work better, I just might buy one and switch back and forth to the Wii Fit game to give myself more options.

Okay, that's it for now. Pour on the encouragement!!

 

[kaysmommie]

I can definitely relate to you. I'm also a shortie, 5'2" and my whole life I weighed no more than 106 lbs. which is a very petite size 2. Well after the 2nd child and then finding out I'm hypothyroid that has all changed. Now I'm at 133 lbs. which is a lot when your shorter like me. I can't even squeeze into a size 6 anymore . I'm trying to get my throid meds changed because what I'm on doesn't work for me anymore. I feel like I'm in a brain fog and very tired all the time. Well DH just bought me a Wii fit for my Birthday! I think it's fun and so motivating. I have just been doing the exercises it came with. but like you on the running I get winded. Also would like to know about the trainer videos like Jillain michaels' if they worth trying.

 

[NYPDwife]

I figured that I'll wait until I find a USED Jillian Michaels game at Gamestop. I like buying the used games because if I don't like them, I return them for the same amount of money within 7 days.

I did the Wii Fit for a total of 42 minutes this morning. I tried to work on arms and stomach and for my aerobics I did the super hula hoop. I'm up to almost 2K rotations!! I also unlocked the super hula hoop for 10 minutes so I'll try that on Friday because I figure I'll run tomorrow. How far away from the TV do you think I can run with the remote in my hand? It's starting to hurt my ankles when I run in place so I'm wondering if I can at least run around my dining room table, LOL.

 

[kaysmommie]

I'm not sure how far away the remote will pick you up. We have a big living room so we just run around the room mostly. I would try not more than 30 feet away at most. I would try running around the dining room table if it's open to where the TV is. I want to try the Jillian Michaels work out too. I'll have to look at Gamestop, didn't realize they take them back within 7 days. Super Hula Hoop is fun. My DD8 is very competitive and likes to try and beat my scores . I usually do the Yoga and strength training moves for 30 minutes and then another 30 on my Elliptical trainer or a walk outside when it's not too cold. The balace exercises are not my strong suit. Good job on the 42 minutes. I feel like even on days when i don't do the extra cardio at least I can make sure to do the Wii fit .

 

[NYPDwife]

I'm getting so good at the strength exercises! I've always had a stronger lower body that got better with running track in high school. I've never been a distance runner, but was able to sprint and now I want to get back into running and even try to run a Disney 1/2 marathon in 2011! I know it's a long way from now, but I'm trying to be realistic (physically & financially!).

I do really well on the lunges (got a 100 today) but I suck at the pushup and plank. I worked my upper body yesterday and did the tricep extension and the rowing squat and my back and arm muscles hurt!!! I've done the plank so many times that I opened the pushup challenge but I think I'm not ready for it yet.

Today, I convinced DH to do the island lap with me. I figured it was a good way for him to warm up before he works out on his Total Gym (I just can't get on that thing) and I wanted company. Well the little booger outran me, but did challenge me enough to finish the half mile in 9 minutes. The day before yesterday, I ran it at 10!

I do have to remember to at least eat a piece of fruit before starting because I'm getting woozy 1/2way through my island lap. Today I messed myself up because I was running late for work so right after doing the island lap and 6 minutes of super hula hoop, I didn't have time to cool down. Usually I do the deep breathing or the lotus balance game to calm my heart down. Well, I stepped into a hot shower and almost passed out. I had to lean against the wall for a bit and made myself 45 minutes late!!!

I've spoken to my BIL to ask for some good workout tips since he's a p/t personal trainer and he said he's going to work with me this weekend.

 

[tigger813]

Try out the Wii Your Fitness Coach. It's good but I have been really working on my elliptical the past two weeks. My daycare provider had been doing it every day at nap time and enjoys it. I will get back on it next week. I had trouble doing the work out as I'd get winded too easily. I'm building up some stamina doing the elliptical. I read good things about it and will let you know when I get back on it. You don't use the Wii Fit with it though you can as a low step.

 

[JDinCO]

The Wii Fit is great, I use it along with my weight training and just passed 10# this month. And broke 300m in the ski jump.

I do cheat on the run with a mini tramp but it's easier on my knees.

 

[NYPDwife]

The Wii Fit is great, I use it along with my weight training and just passed 10# this month. And broke 300m in the ski jump.

I do cheat on the run with a mini tramp but it's easier on my knees.

Not a bad idea....hmmm.

 

[NYPDwife]

Try out the Wii Your Fitness Coach. It's good but I have been really working on my elliptical the past two weeks. My daycare provider had been doing it every day at nap time and enjoys it. I will get back on it next week. I had trouble doing the work out as I'd get winded too easily. I'm building up some stamina doing the elliptical. I read good things about it and will let you know when I get back on it. You don't use the Wii Fit with it though you can as a low step.

Please keep me updated. In the meantime, I'll see if Gamestop has any used copies.

 

[NYPDwife]

OK, DH says I cheated today. I've been pushing myself and I decided to go for what I called an easy workout today. I still wound up doing 36 minutes, but didn't run.

I did pushup w/side plank (I have an issue here, I'll get to it in a bit), tricep extension (I should get those wrist weights for this), palm tree, triangle pose, side leg lifts, torso twists, 10 minute boxing and rowing squats. I was trying to work abs, back and arms today.

About the push up w/side plank; everytime I put my weight on my arms, my right wrist hurts when it's bent at a 90 degree angle. Could this be carpal tunnel (I type alot, can you tell?)?

All in all, I feel good that I worked out, but guilty b/c DH says I should push hard every day. What do you think?

 

[JDinCO]

I did 60 min today probably because DGS13 was waiting to play Mario Kart, I am very worn out but have that I feel good feeling at the same time.

I wish it let you take a different route on the runs. I'm doing 30 min at it just does the same lap around the island. I'll have to check the options.

 

[NYPDwife]

I did 60 min today probably because DGS13 was waiting to play Mario Kart, I am very worn out but have that I feel good feeling at the same time.

I wish it let you take a different route on the runs. I'm doing 30 min at it just does the same lap around the island. I'll have to check the options.

When you do the island lap, a dog will pass your trainer and bark, run fast enough to pass your trainer and it will say, now follow the dog. I did it the other day and I got to jump off a cliff!!

 

[NYPDwife]

Jogging alternate courses
There are three (and possibly more in Free Jogging) alternate courses to take in the Jogging mini-game, one for each length of course (Short, Long, and Island Lap). To access these, enter the Jogging mini-game as normal and start jogging. When you see a single dog overtake your character, run past your guide so that the "Oh! You've passed your guide!" message appears. It will then read "Now follow the dog" and take you on an alternate course. The dogs appear as follows.

Short Course: As you run towards the single house with a Mii outside.
Long Course : Immediately at the start.
Island Lap: Immediately at the start.
The following alternate courses are on Island Lap.

Follow the yellow dog at the start. Soon you a black dog will appear. This is the first new alternate course.
Follow as above, but after following the black dog for a while a white dog will appear. This is the second new alternate course.
Follow the Mii guide at the beginning until you get to the bridge and a brown dog will appear. This is the third new alternate course.
Follow as above, but after following the brown dog for awhile another brown dog will appear. This is the fourth new alternate course.

 

[JDinCO]

Thanks, I was wondering for the free run as well, you don't have a Mii to run with you on that one it's just the island lap for whatever time you put in, 10, 20 or 30 min.

 

[JDinCO]

Just found this cool guide for the Wii Fit.

http://guides.ign.com/guides/949581/page_5.html

 

[kaysmommie]

The Wii Fit is great, I use it along with my weight training and just passed 10# this month. And broke 300m in the ski jump.

I do cheat on the run with a mini tramp but it's easier on my knees.

Isn't that fun. My DH thinks got mad yesterday when I beat his score and broke 340 meters . My husband and daughter drive me crazy trying to have top scores. ALso the mini trampoline is a great idea