Wii Fit

[Irondog666]

I just read a lot of stuff up on Wii Fit after reading the article in Nintendo Power about how their editor lost 4 pounds in 2 weeks on it. Its not that impressive really on what he achieved but he did cheat during it like eating pizza, skipping days and doing no no things. I am about 40 pounds over weight. I could definitely use this, to some this game isn't that big of a deal but I think it is very very useful to society since were all getting huge and unhealthy thanks to the Mickey Ds gutter. Their is one big concern I do have on this game and that is that it uses BMI (Body Mass Index) as the source of determining how fat you really are and how much your ideal weight might be. To be honest BMI is a joke for most people. I am 6'1 and 235 pounds and have a reasonable amount of muscles. When I was in high school (about 4 years ago) I was very active in football in the fall, took gym classes and weight training and did wrestling in the winter. They did a "skinfold test" which measures your body fat.

I was 18% body fat at 190 pounds at 6'1. The BMI calculators tell me I would be 23.8% which means borderline on being overweight. at under 175 I would've been ineligible to wrestle at under 7%, but the BMI Calculators say I am like 18 or 20%. The U.S. Navy weighed me, took measurements in what they call a "Circumference test" which is also supposed to be more accurate and up to date than BMI. They told me I was 22% (maximum for entry into the Navy) at 205 pounds at 6'1 and that at what I weighed in at at that time I was only at 24% and I would have to lose 15 pounds at least. The BMI calculators put me at overweight at like 29%.

This is a huge problem for the game, some girl thats built like a guy in structure (lets say she has the same frame and muscle structure as a dude) it could say she is a fatty when she is at a perfect weight in reality. I am still getting Wii Fit though cause I do need to lose weight. I am 235-240 and my ideal weight is around 200 and has always been ideal (although at 180-190 I would look really good). Other than that it looks like it has everything to help you lose weight I just feel that it might cause issues for people who want to lose weight and the stupid BMI thing is gonna be the driving force to it when medically you might be fine. Other than that little hitch this looks very very promising, especially for people who want to drop 20 pounds or so in a few months. Who else is looking forward to this game, I am getting mine on pre-order this week.

[AMetroidGuy]

Didn’t you and I have a discussion in another thread where you said you couldn’t envision the game changing most overweight people’s bad behaviors, including you?

Anyway, you make a lot of good points, I am excited for the game too. I have lost about 8-10 lbs. in the last 3 months due to my extended illness(es), and though I hated the fact that I was not eating, it has been nice to have people compliment even my slight slimming down. Now that my normal appetite finally returned, I nead something to help me process the extra calories. I hope Wii Fit will help me keep the weight off and transform some into muscle( though I have a decent muscle mass anyway, probably just through the luck of good genes). I see Wii Fit as the good start that could finally get me back to the gym. Personally, I am not too far from my ideal weight, and carry the extra 10-15 well because I have broad shoulders, but I would like to do a little work on my spare tire, because a bud took some... *cough* special... pics of me and 2 other buds, and all I can focus on when I look at them is my belly, rather than the much more interesting stuff actually happening. And since I am venturing into t.m.i. territory, I think I will just end this post and hit submit now.

[Irondog666]

Didn’t you and I have a discussion in another thread where you said you couldn’t envision the game changing most overweight people’s bad behaviors, including you?

Anyway, you make a lot of good points, I am excited for the game too. I have lost about 8-10 lbs. in the last 3 months due to my extended illness(es), and though I hated the fact that I was not eating, it has been nice to have people compliment even my slight slimming down. Now that my normal appetite finally returned, I nead something to help me process the extra calories. I hope Wii Fit will help me keep the weight off and transform some into muscle( though I have a decent muscle mass anyway, probably just through the luck of good genes). I see Wii Fit as the good start that could finally get me back to the gym. Personally, I am not too far from my ideal weight, and carry the extra 10-15 well because I have broad shoulders, but I would like to do a little work on my spare tire, because a bud took some... *cough* special... pics of me and 2 other buds, and all I can focus on when I look at them is my belly, rather than the much more interesting stuff actually happening. And since I am venturing into t.m.i. territory, I think I will just end this post and hit submit now.

Yeah buddy lol you almost got a little too personal there. Yeah I did criticize the game I believe. I originally remember thinking it was stupid and gimmicky which to an extent it is kind of gimmicky because it is with the balancing board and stuff. Not saying it isn't useful its an ingenious idea that looks to have more usefulness then I initially thought. I also thought the Wii (Revolution at the time) was gonna be stupid too but I was very wrong with that also. Right now most people are having debates about "does this replace a gym or running outside?". In all honesty nothing can replace that because your muscle nuts and your health freaks will go to gyms regardless. This isn't targeted to that demographic of people because those people are already in very good condition and don't need to lose weight they just got to maintain what they have.

I been using Billy Blank's Taebo and Bootcamp exercise videos. Let me tell you that trying to start an exercise regime with those tapes (I don't care if you start with the beginner tapes) it is very physically taxing on you and does little to ease you into it. I have pulled muscles and injured myself during just his basic tapes cause they are created for people who are already pretty fit but want to take it to the next level. They do work and I did lose weight about 10 pounds on those in 1 month. It was just too much to continue it was killing me. Wii Fit I am realizing is a great tool for people who sit on the couch and play video games all day and guzzle gallons of soda and stuff their faces with McDonalds, potato chips and all kinds of artery clogging goodness. So why not make a "game" to get "fat gamers" up of their butts and do something that is realistically possible?

From what I have read Wii Fit has it where it eases you into it slowly. It doesn't do it right away like "do 50 pushups right now then switch to leg lifts and hold for 3 minutes" kind of stuff that you can't handle. I still think its important for people to run and bike ride and do outdoor activities as well, maybe even go to a gym if thats your cup of tea. Wii Fit is not meant to take over any of that stuff like eating right and making sure your staying active outside of the Wii Fit world. However, it does get people who would've never exercised and would probably die of cardiac arrest or a heart attack to reverse their lifestyles so maybe they can play the next great gaming system in like 2050? It can change lives and getting motivated and believing in yourself and most importantly, easing yourself into exercise the correct way is the most important aspect of continuing a healthy workout routine for possibly the rest of your life?

[AMetroidGuy]

Yeah I did criticize the game I believe.

Found it.

[Irondog666]

Yeah I did criticize the game I believe.

Found it.

Yeah well when you first hear about the concept that a game can make you lose weight by using a "balancing board" you can't for the life of you think that its gonna change people. Honestly a lot of people who are overweight won't change their eating habits for the life of them. So its not gonna work for anyone who isn't committed. It won't change their bad ways but it might change someone who really wants to lose weight but is confused on how to do it. I mean if people just stopped drinking as much soda/pop and laid off the fast food they would see some good results with this. I didn't understand the concept but Nintendo Power's article kind of really shined some light down on how it works and that it can help if you are willing to use it regularly but it is by no means a substitution for eating right and doing outdoor activities. I am tired of trying to do things that don't work because they seem to be too much for me. If anything it might get some people motivated. As far as that old post I was being very stupid and I apologize for that little rant I went on.

[AMetroidGuy]

I think the great thing is that having an interface like this might make it easier to commit to the excercise, if not the diet. Kind of like having a personal trainer, only you don’t have to pay him tons of money all the time or worry about the sexual tension if he’s hot. That will still be good for cardiovascular health, even if they don’t lose much weght.

[MaiAriSquee]

...hm. Give me some roller blades and a Gilad fitness tape, or a swimming pool, and I'm good. *thumbs nose at Wii fit*

I'm not so convinced this will help people lose weight, but like Miyamoto said, I'll bet it will make people more "aware of their bodies." So in THAT way, it could definately help people manage a fitness plan, or at least track their weight.

To be honest, I'm not totally informed, but I find it VERY difficult to believe that Wii Fit could be that effective.

[Jesse D]

*thumbs nose at Wii fit*

But c'mon, who couldn't say no to a rousing game of Sticking Your Leg Out?

[Infinity's End]

Well guys, just to let you know, my gf and I plan on getting Wii Fit and doing the whole thing daily. I plan on waking up every morning with Wii fit and tracking my progress. So you will hear it from me first if the thing works.