Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii Fit.

Here I will be recording my progress on lowering my BMI and weight while improving posture and balance with the Wii Fit:

Date Weight Change
BMI
Fit Age
8/24/08023.94
34
8/31/08-3.3lbs.23.29
27
9/7/08-0.7lbs.
23.16
26
9/14/08
-0.1lbs.
23.15
23


While I set modest two-week goals for myself, I also have a long-term goal of losing about 10 lbs. in all by Christmas. That's a weight loss of about a half a pound a week from my start date in August.

Below is the story of how I finally found my Wii Fit along with a short review of the gaming system itself:

After months of searching, I finally found a Wii Fit at my local Best Buy on Sunday.

Every week I would search the shelves, only to be completely disappointed at the emptiness of the space where the game should have been. After a few weeks of disappointment, I scoured the internet to find one, only to be let down by every gaming site out there. The only place I could find them? eBay. Ugh, and they were going for twice their shelf price (see this post). No way was I paying that!

I kept searching in hopes that one day I would find one. I had practically given up. But on that fateful day, I was perusing shelves of DVDs with the cop when a glimmer of light so beautiful caught my eye that I could not turn away. And there it was. And the Hallelujah Chorus could be heard throughout the store (or at least in my head).

Ten were probably taken off the truck that morning, and by the time I got there - an hour after opening - they only had five left. So I snatched one up and refused to put it down as we continued to search through the endless movie supply. Eventually, I gave the cop a look like "Who cares about movies? I have a Wii Fit!!!! Let's go!!!"

I promptly took it home and calibrated it. Then I screamed at it for implying that I am off-balance and out-of-shape. How DARE it.

But I've had it for four days now, and I really enjoy doing the little workouts in the morning. And if you never thought you could actually get in shape with a video game, you are sure wrong. I am so sore this morning. I'm making it a habit to do two yoga exercises, two strength training exercises, and two cardio exercises each morning. I mix up what I do every morning so every part of me is getting a workout.

The fun thing about it is that you have to workout to unlock new exercises. The more time you spend with it, the more you unlock, and you are graded on each thing you do by how well you balance. It really is a challenge!

It also tracks your BMI as well as what it calls your "Fit Age". Luckily my BMI was in the normal range, but my Fit Age was 34 - WTH? No offense to 34 year-olds, but I'm not your age yet. I calculate my BMI each day I work out - I have already brought it down a point and a half, and I will calculate my Fit Age every Sunday.

It even allows you to set two-week, personal goals for yourself, including weight loss and BMI changes. I am going to setup a new tab up there on the header to keep track of my progress. That way you guys can help keep me accountable. Making my progress public will keep me more motivated, even if you guys really don't look at it.

Note to Self: Overall I give the system an A. Why not an A+? Because it says "Good morning! You're sure up early!" every morning when I sign on. It always causes me to want to throw the balance board at the screen...

My first goal is to tone up and lose 8 pounds by my five year class reunion on September 19th. There's nothing more awesome than going to a class reunion, and then being able to brag about what a skinny bitch you still are when everyone else got fat. Colby knows I'm right, as she will be attending the same reunion (or you better, because I will be hunting you down if not).

16 comments:

Nanny Goats In Panties said...

Congrats on tracking down that hard-to-get item.

So, have you ever been reviewed by Ask and Ye Shall Receive? I'm on tenterhooks right now! I thought mine would come out today!

Anonymous said...

Another deceptive title. :D

Anyway, I didn't realize you had to calibrate the Wii Fit.

Also, I'm not sure I understand the appeal of the Wii Fit, but whatever works.

MJ said...

NGIP - I sent you an email, but for the benefit of all - no, I've never been reviewed by them. I don't think I've ever been reviewed at all. And I'm not sure why they didn't do your review today. They must not be as OCD as me, because I would have had to go in order.

Livin - Well, calibrate it like any electronic scale. Don't step on it until it calibrates zero, and then you have to get the console to recognize it as a controller. I wasn't sure of the appeal either, I just knew I wanted one. But now that I have it, I am happy with my choice to be a sheep. *baaah* :)

Anonymous said...

Oh man.. I REALLLLLY really want one too!!

I've been on the hunt as well!
Congrats to you for finding it and good luck on your goals!

MJ said...

KPD - I wish I had known you wanted one! I would have bought it and sent it to you! Well, hopefully me finding these is a sign that the eBayers are losing interest. Good luck!

Anonymous said...

I'm so jealous of your Wii Fit. I was just telling hubby we should get one the other day and he laughed at me and said "good luck finding one." didn't realize they were still so hard to get a hold of. I'll be keeping my eyes peeled for one now though. :)

MJ said...

Teeni - I know! If I had the cash, I would have bot the lot of them and sold them to my pals online - I didn't realize so many people were looking for them!

MJ said...

Okay so I butchered the word "bought"... bot *snort*.

Ah, it's been a long day.

Anonymous said...

Hey all you Wii-less (or Wii-Fit-less, anyway) people: Come to Michigan! We have Wii Fit on shelves all over the place right now.

Matt said...

exactly what time do you get up in the morning?

If a video game says its early...it must be insanely early.

colbymarshall said...

I don't know if I'm going yet or not- may have a oot visitor, but we'll see how things shape up. slowly tiptoes out of the comments...

Anonymous said...

Now that I've read your description of the Wii Fit I think it is the perfect thing to get my husband exercising. Thanks!

Rick said...

I hope that you and we, I mean wii will be very happy together. I lost a pound just reading about how you were going to lose your pounds.

MJ said...

K - You should snatch those things up and sell them on ebay. Apparently you can make a killing.

Matt - No kidding. I usually hit the Wii at about 6 AM. So, pretty early.

CM - If you don't come, you better sleep with one eye open >:) - Ha! Just kidding... or am I? :D

KM - It is a neat little trick to get you to exercise. I recommend it for any lazy soul who loves video games (ie. me).

Rick - Welcome to my blog! Glad I could be of service in helping you shed a pound :)

Anonymous said...

Your five year reunion? High school or college? Because my ten year high school reunion was a couple of years ago, and I'm feeling a little old right now.
Blech.
Good luck on the 8lbs...I know the feeling.

MJ said...

My older twin - five-year highschool lol.
*blush* I am a young one... but if it makes you feel better, I have quite a few friends who just had their ten-year...