by Vinnk - 03.11.08
Another week with Wii Fit has come to an end. It has now become a normal part of my evening routine. At this point I can compare it to brushing my teeth. Like dental hygiene it is something I do every night at around the same time and something that I feel I should do. Sure I could always skip it, but I would feel weird for doing so.
When I started this experiment I did Wii Fit everyday because it was something I had to do for my report. It was also something I felt I should force myself to do because I wanted to have a healthier lifestyle. But somewhere along the line, I stopped feeling like it was an obligation to do exercise. Now Wii Fit is something I want to do, something I look forward to. The fact that it seems to be actually making me thinner is a bonus at this point. How much thinner? For that info, you will need to read on.
Day 29 (March 4th)
BMI: 24.86
Balance Age: 25
In game playing time: 35 minutes
Actual playing time: 40 minutes
Today I was very, very busy. I almost didn’t do Wii Fit at all, but right before bed I managed to put in a few minutes. I did my standard push-ups (which are actually “jackknifes”) and squats and then I finished my time with the hula-hoop game that I hope will help me get rid of the “love handles” I have developed.
The “anthropomorphic time counter thing that looks like a pig” changed color again today. It is now a shining silver color. That is my reward for breaking the 20-hour mark. I am guessing it will turn gold when I get to 30 hours. I aim to find out.
Day 30 (March 5th)
BMI: 24.86
Balance Age: 25
In game playing time: 1 hour
Actual playing time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Today I learned that a friend of mine (an older gentleman) passed away. After work I prepared for the funeral and taught my night class. When I returned home I once again wasn’t in the mood for Wii Fit. But I wanted to take my mind off of things so I did it anyway. It worked. For the hour I was training I was able to focus just on that.
I did mostly aerobic activities tonight such as the hula-hoop and boxing games. The rest of the time was spent doing arm exercises. The rest of my body seems to be getting used to the exercises, but my arms still always feel sore the next day. I guess it is because they require the most improvement. Since I ride my bicycle everywhere, my legs are pretty good, but until recently, my arms were mostly ignored. I am making up for lost time now.
Day 31 (March 6th)
BMI: 24.79
Balance Age: 28
In game playing time: 51 minutes
Actual playing time: 1 hour
The final mini-game is now unlocked. It turns out that to get it I had to finish all 3 modes on the “running in place” game. Since I don’t like that activity very much, I never played it enough to unlock the final mini-game. Sadly that last game is just a much longer “running in place” game. For these games you put the Wii remote on your pocket and run in place. The game keeps track of your steps and pace. But I just don’t understand the point. I suppose if you live in a big city and there is no way to do actual running it might be useful but for me I would much rather just go outside. Running in place is also, of course, different from real running. To get a high score in the game you have wiggle your feet as fast as possible in a way that doesn’t even resemble real running. Its still good exercise, and I’m sure many people will like it, but this one is just not for me.
After my usual abdominal exercises, I did more of the hula-hoop game. When I first added this to my workout it was a challenge just too keep the hoop in motion for 10 minutes. I would be sweating and tired. Now it’s actually gotten a bit too easy. I wish that had put in a 20-minute mode. Still I could always just do it twice I suppose.
It’s been a month since I started this workout now and I am very pleased with the results. The weight loss has been greater than I expected and that is fantastic, but it is the increase in strength that has surprised me the most. I can’t really expect the same level of improvement in the second month, but as long as I don’t crash back down to where I was before, I am going to continue to be pleased.
Day 32 (March 7th)
BMI: 24.70
Balance Age 20
In game playing time: 45 minutes
Actual playing time: 56 minutes
Another wonderful workout. The arm exercises are still difficult for me but they are getting a bit easier. One disconcerting thing I have noticed during the arm exercises are the clicking and popping sounds my body always makes when I do certain actions. For example every time I extend my left arm forward I hear a tiny clicking sound. It doesn’t hurt at all and I have probably been making that noise for years but when I do the same actions over and over I notice it. I wonder if its something I can do something about.
The hula-hoop game seems like it might be having a slight slimming effect. People have mentioned lately that I am starting to look thinner around the waist specifically. However I don’t know if I can link that to the hula-hoop game or just exercise in general. Either way, I will probably keep the hula-hoop activity in my daily routine. It’s a more difficult exercise than step aerobics (a good thing) and it is more fun as well.
My BMI used to jump up and down every day (though getting a bit lower each time) but this week it has been on a steady decline. I am not sure why. I haven’t been doing anything different. Perhaps my metabolism is increasing. That would be nice.
Day 33 (March 8th)
BMI: 24.54
Meaningless Balance Age: 43
In game playing time: 1 hour 2 minutes
Actual playing time: 1 hour 10 minutes
When I started this experiment I said that I would put in at least 30 minutes but not more than 1 hour each day. I accidentally put in more than 60 minutes today. I was so into my workout I just lost track of time. I remember reading that long distance runners, after a certain point, hit a kind of “runners high” the same goes for long distance swimmers. Today at about the 45 minutes point I hit what I will call a “Wii Fit high”. I had been sweating and tired and them all of a sudden I just felt good. Like really, really good. Like I could keep going forever. But it’s good that I did stop exercising when I noticed my time. I don’t want to overdo it.
Usually my workout is made of about 50% “hard training” like push-ups, squats, jack-knifes, etc. The other half is easy aerobics such as the dancing mini-game, boxing or step aerobics. Today I did very little aerobic activity and focused almost completely on the harder training. The first half hour was not enjoyable at all but, as I said, after a certain point I began loving it. I fear I am going to be very sore tomorrow, but right now, as I sit here typing this, I feel fantastic.
Tomorrow I will try to focus on the Yoga and aerobics I skipped today. I have to make sure my workout is balanced. No pun intended.
Day 34 (March 9th)
BMI: 24.66
Balance Age: 23
In game playing time: 57 minutes
Actual Playing time: 1 hour 3 minutes
I thought I was going to be sore all over today, but I woke up this morning feeling fine, so I decided to put in another hard workout today. I’m actually trying for the soreness right now to see where my limits are.
Today was a little harder than yesterday. That is because once again I did my exercises on a full stomach. My fiancée, her mother and I went to the restaurant where I will have my wedding reception and sampled all kinds of different food so we could decide on a menu. The food was fantastic but very rich. When we left we were full and tired. But of course I didn’t even consider skipping my workout. I once again trained very hard. Maybe I didn’t push it as hard as yesterday but it was still a great workout.
As expected, my BMI didn’t drop today. I had my first rise all week. But it didn’t raise much and I knew the cause was a stomach full of food. At least I think so. I suppose I’ll find out tomorrow when I weigh myself for this weeks report.
Day 35 (March 10th)
BMI: 24.70
Balance Age: 25
In game playing time: 46 minutes
Actual playing time: 57 minutes
Yesterday I put in a really hard workout for the second day in a row. Today I paid for it. When I woke up, both my arms and legs were sore. But to tell the truth, its not a bad feeling. It’s that good, satisfying sort of sore that comes after hard work. Still I had to do a lighter impact workout today.
I went back to doing the hula-hoop game and did my set of 100 jackknifes. Even with all the abdominal exercises, the gut still remains. It has gotten a little smaller and somewhat tighter but it will take a lot of time to make it go away, far longer than the 7 weeks of this experiment. But that is to be expected. It also gives me motivation to keep exercising after this project comes to an end.
Week 5 Wrap-up
Total time spent this week: 5 hours 56 minutes
Total time since beginning the experiment: 25 hours 31 minutes
Current weight: 76.5 kg (about 169 lbs)
Total weight change this week: -.7 kg (-1.6 lbs)
Total weight change: -3.5 kg (-7.7 lbs)
This week sees another tiny weight loss. If this were the first week of my training I would say that the loss meant nothing. Body weight can easily go up or down over the course of the day. However, this is my 4th straight week of small weight losses and 5th week of no weight gains. When they are all put together it seems to me that there is some actual progress being made and some weight not only being lost but more importantly, kept from coming back.
I thought that by now the novelty of Wii Fit would have worn off, and to be honest, to some extent it has. I almost never play mini-games (like the ski-jump or the one where you try to hit soccer balls with your head) anymore. They were fun at first but now when I load up Wii Fit I want to get right to my “real” workout. That training is far more rewarding at this point than breaking records on simple balance games. I’m glad those games were included in Wii Fit because they kept me interested while I was still mastering the more difficult exercises but now they are something I only play when friends are over. The training exercises on the other hand, have not lost their luster at all. That is probably because at the core, they are the same exercises people have been doing for hundreds or years. And they work. All Wii Fit is really doing is keeping track of my progress and awarding points for my effort. It’s like a kind of digital personal trainer.
I have only 2 weeks left for this experiment. The time has gone by really fast. And so far the experiment has been far more successful than I thought it would be. I would like to once again say a special “thank you” to all the people who send me email and write comments each week. I never anticipated such great feedback. For my part, I will keep posting my journal every day. I hope you find it useful.
3.5 kgs in 5weeks is great! i mean you didnt change anything special about your alimentation(so for those extra-masochistic out there, if you cut out a little mcdonalds, sugar and salt youll lose even more).im getting it soon.its shaping up to be a great summer
yk - 03.11.08 2:49 pm
As you have mentioned before, as you lose fat, you are probably gaining muscle, so your overall body weight might not decrease as much as you think it should.
I am curious how your clothes are fitting? I think last week (or maybe week before that) you thought they felt more loose. Have you noticed any further change in the fit?
Sean - 03.11.08 4:24 pm
Wait… Wii Fit came out?
What’s wrong with treadmills? You get more exersize with a treadmill than just standing on a platform.
Wolfmaster - 03.11.08 4:34 pm
Just a couple of suggestion that might help. One it’s better to work out in the morning, as your body will react to the work out all day (training itself while you’re awake and active) but if you just go to bed your body won’t do this as much. Also if you get up earlier to do this before going somewhere you don’t have to worry about coming in late or eating too much before you get to train. The other is that while it’s good to press your limits you should do it in one sitting, working your muscles groups is best left to ever other day. If you keep working the same group day after day your muscles learn muscle memory and aren’t worked as well. If you do a group ever other day it gives the muscles time to relax and are better ready to be trained.
Blendy - 03.11.08 4:51 pm
Keep going dude, youll be done in just a fortnight =)
theONE - 03.11.08 5:03 pm
@ wolfmaster
I can think of two problems with treadmills. First, they’re freaking expensive. $1000 or more expensive. Even a few months of gym membership would cost more than Wii Fit.
Second, treadmills are terminally boring. Walking outside is less boring, but foul weather can make it unappealing at times. Exercise in general is boring, and this is one of the major reasons why so many people have a hard time staying active. The core idea behind Wii Fit is to make exercise at least a little amusing, thereby removing a major roadblock to fitness.
famousringo - 03.11.08 5:20 pm
Treadmills / running actually hurt your knees in the long term. Treadmills aren’t as bad, but they are still bad. A bike or elliptical trainer is much better.
Come on though… Wii Fit!
Simon - 03.11.08 6:05 pm
Wow, Vinnk…way to go! 7.7 pounds down in 5 weeks is awesome. I’m really glad that you’re keeping this experiment up and wish you the best. If you ever need some extra advice, I’d be more than happy to help. Have a good one, and here’s to Week 6.
Paul Gale - 03.11.08 6:38 pm
Game of the year content. Right here.
Michael - 03.11.08 6:43 pm
@ some comments above about treadmill
Treadmills are the worst possible way to lose weight.
You will burn some fat while you’re working on the treadmill, but most likely you will just burn the energy being provided to your body from the food in your guts.
The thing that makes Wii Fit so good is that it focuses a lot on muscles and muscle training. This in effect will work to increase the body’s natural BMR.
You don’t lose much fat for the 1 hour that you work out. You lose that fat in the other 23 hours of the day.
@ above about exercising in the morning
Again, this is true but also not the best thing. This is if you want to burn pure fat when you do the morning exercise. You exercise when your body is almost at a starved state, and therefore it eats your fat (and muscle) reserves to lose weight. This is not the type of exercise that will help to KEEP the fat off. Vinnk is increasing his muscle mass and therefore in the progress increasing his BMR. This is the best way to be successful at weight loss, so I don’t think working out in the morning is suitable for Vinnk at this stage.
Vinnk buddy, keep it up. Very impressive stuff - is that picture up the top a picture of your stomach now??? If it is… WOW! You’ve really made some good progress. Your arms a look a little bit cutter as well. You’ve got the ability to have a good physique. Also is that graph your current progress?? The last week has been good… looks to me like you’ve been striving to eat healthier too (am I right?).
Good stuff. I can’t believe there is only 2 weeks to go. I’m sure you will continue to use WiiFit in your daily life and the orange line is your target weight and I think without much doubt you will reach it by your wedding… Wii Fit has done everything that you could have dreamed of.
I personally use a Gym for my workout but I can’t wait for Wii Fit so I can do exercise every other day as well.
Brilliant
Devon - 03.11.08 7:10 pm
Geez, I was just giving a suggestion. Replace “Treadmill” with “Exersize Bike” or your weapon of choice. I just don’t see how this is any better than those exersize videos where you watch what’s on screen. If i wanted to do that, I’d by a 5 dollar Richard Simmons video, not a 50 dollar game with another peripheral for a system that already has about 100 peripherals. What happened to the days of ONEEEEEEEEEE controller?
Wolfmaster - 03.11.08 11:42 pm
@Wolfmaster
If a $5 Richard Simmons video works for you, I say go for it. It wouldn’t work for me. I’d get bored and would stop doing it.
As I said in the post, Wii Fit does nothing more than provide motivation. The must effective exercises in that game could easily be done without the board. But to do so you need to have the motivation and desire to do that every day. That is where I always fail.
Wii Fit is not for everyone clearly, but it is working for me and I think it has potential to help other people. It may not be better than an “Exersize Bike” but it is smaller and cheaper and most importantly I actually want to use it.
Vinnk - 03.12.08 12:05 am
Congrats once again, Vinnk. Steady progress will eventually get you what you want. (I think I read that on a fortune cookie once.)
Dean - 03.12.08 12:59 am
Sorry Wolfmaster you didn’t understand my point.
Regular Cardio on any device (especially treadmills) is the slowest and most in-effective way of losing weight.
All I wanted to point out was that the key to continued and sustained weight loss was a higher percentage of muscle on your body.
Devon - 03.12.08 1:18 am
Wow! It’s great to see how you squeeze in the exercise even if not in the right mood. That’s the spirit. You really deserve the nice results.
Oh, and keep in mind that there is no such thing as “located fat loss.” How you train doesn’t impact where you loose that fat. Your training will only have impact on how much fat you’re going to loose
And compare your current log entries with those from week one, you really got fitter.
@Devon:
While you’re right, Wii Fit doesn’t offer him the level of intensity he’d need to build more muscles.
@Vinnk:
If you want I could recommand you a good workout book, which focuses on “non-gym” workouts. Don’t want to link it directly (at least not without your approval).
Spellcaster - 03.12.08 3:54 am
Wow, I really might have to get this game…I’ve been thinking about it, I thought it might be a good inspiration, something to get me exercising more, and I guess I would be right (I think if I had some kind of a structured work out I’d stick more to my exercise).
Like Wii Sports but on a much larger and more truly ‘work out-like’ scale.
9th Sage - 03.12.08 10:46 pm
@DEVON
Once again, thank you for your comments. Yes, that is me in the picture and I have a hard time believing it too.
Also, I would love to be able to exercises in the morning but with my job I would have to start in the pre-dawn hours and it’s just not feasible at this point in my life.
Vinnk - 03.13.08 1:48 am
Sorry Devon I have to disagree with your post in a small way.
I lost 32kg using just a treadmill, dietary changes and lifestyle changes (upped my incidental exercise).
It may not be the most efficient weight loss tool, but don’t put it down because it’s not “efficient” enough!! Walking is low impact and if you walk quickly good for cardiovascular health. I have been at goal weight for nearly 2 years now, took me about 18 months to lose that 32kg.
Just wanted to say “don’t hate on the treadmill”!!
Stormstruk - 03.13.08 2:36 am
On no! Here comes the Treadmill Defense Force! (TDF)
Wow, 32 Kg in 18 months. Makes my weight loss seem pretty small in comparison.
Vinnk - 03.13.08 10:35 am
this is in response to day 38.
My pilates instructor tells us that shaking muscles are OK, this seems to happen especially during planks and in the later half of the leg section.
It is your muscle hitting exhaustion, it will repair itself an come back stronger in about 48 hours.
Sarah B - 03.14.08 10:42 am
Your post have answered so many questions for me as I have already pre-ordered the game here in the states. My question for you is do you have any reccomendations on the games themselves if I wanted to lose weight to begin with versus muscle toning(which I definitely need to do also)? I’m curious about your exercise rotation also. As I unfortunately don’t have the game yet I’m trying to have a basic idea so my wife and I can get a running start with the game once we get it!
My congratulations to you on your weight and general health also. I unfortuantely rank in at the obese (I hate that word) level and need to drop this weight. Please feel free to email me if thats easier!
Ben
Ben - 03.14.08 4:04 pm
That really is astounding, fabulous work Vinnk! I do have to say I suspected that with Wii Fit having such a strong emphasis on yoga that it would do balls all for actual weight loss… very glad to be proven wrong! Really looking forward to the end pics
Here’s to some Arnie- in- Predator stylee arm wrestling pics. 
I really won’t blame anyone if they don’t want to touch this question but do any of you knowledgable people know if Wii Fit is likely to cause problems for a back which has just recovered from a slipped disc? I’m conscious that my back muscles are really weak since then but I really, really don’t want to re-injure myself…
Bloody NHS doctors have no time to answer questions like this.
Al Palmer - 03.14.08 4:51 pm
gross, shave your arms or something
Kammo - 03.15.08 4:47 am
Someone else stated that it’s more beneficial to do it in the morning. Although it might and it makes more sense, you shouldn’t change your schedule. If you have something working for you right now and it feels good for you, don’t change it. Basically, if you’re going to force yourself to do it in the morning, you’re going to be starting back at square one and have to get used to that routine when you already have a great routine right now.
xbtran - 03.17.08 12:58 am