Wii Fit

On January 1st I decided to open my brand new Wii Fit that Lauren gave me for Hanukkah. If you already have a Wii console set up, it's quite easy to get started. After inserting batteries and such you just follow the prompts on screen using your Wii remote. My family already has Mii characters created that are "cartoon" figures that resemble us. You start by selecting your "Mii", you stand on the balance board and you undergo a series of tests that analyze your BMI, your Biological Age, your weight, etc. You are required to enter your height and birthdate. I began this task in front of my immediate family as spectators from the sofa. Luckily, the Wii asks if you would like to create a secret password so that others can't view your stats. Of course, I created one. Being my first time at it, I was fearful that my weight would be glaring across the screen for all to see. My husband has NEVER known my weight and if I suddenly were to go missing, I would be sure that the police could never find me because my husband could not provide them with this information. I think he knows my eye color....I think. The guys were constantly asked to leave the room each time I thought the weight would appear. I soon found out that you have to select a "Weight" tab to view the numbers so it never actually sneaks up to shock you. I went back later that evening to view those results privately. What it does reveal to all, however, is your BMI and the category that you fit in. All of a sudden, a little electronic voice announced OVERWEIGHT as I stood on the scale-like device and worse yet, my Mii character widened and became rather fat. My entire family engaged in a knee-slapping laugh at my expense. What else is new?

Next, B set up his Mii and was also analyzed. Much to my delight, his BMI was about the same as mine and his Mii grew just as round as mine did. His biological age was 50, as opposed to mine which was 35. I believe that the balance portion is what skewed his score as our BMI and "overweight" status was similar. After I laughed back with revenge and a "HA" we explored the fitness options. You can select from Yoga, Aerobics, Strength Training, and Balance catergories. Each category has about 3 or 4 activities or exercises to start. You accumulate fitness points and minutes the more you use it and then additional activities become accessible. I enjoyed yoga, hula hooping and running through a virtual park, as well as good old fashioned sit ups and lunges. B did some skiing, ski jumping, soccer, and walking the tightrope. The kids enjoyed some of the activities too. All in all a fun time.

I have used it every day since, except for 1/2, as we had company, but that day we were still showing our guests how it worked without "logging" in as ourselves. B used it only one time. On 1/4, I decided to repeat my Body Test for tracking and progress. This time, I was completely alone and was able to hit the "Weight" tab. Hmmm, I lost 1.8 pounds. I immediately ran upstairs, still partially disrobed and hopped on my own scale for confirmation-Same!!! The Wii then complements you with motivational jargon like "Good job" and "Keep it up"! The system recommended a 6 pound weight loss for the both of us to be achieved by 1/31. This was a good start even though it was only 3 days and mostly water weight. Instead of calling him at work to gloat, I waited for B to come home and encouraged him to change to lighter clothing and repeat HIS body test to help his motivation. And that.... is when it happened! My memory is a little foggy, and mind you, I'm paraphrasing here, but these are the events as I recall them in my memory: He got his Mii logged on, stepped on the balance board/scale and then the screen read ALERT, ALERT, you have exceeded your weight loss goal, you must reset your goal, YOU HAVE LOST 6.2 pounds! Then his Mii proceeded to do one of the pompous dances that you often see linebackers doing following a touchdown. "You fucker", I thought and "YOU FUCKER" is what I said. "I've been doing this everyday and going to the gym, I know you haven't, so what have you been doing to lose 6.2lbs?" After his smug smile, he retreated quickly with, "well, my clothing is lighter than 3 days ago". My response was, "the machine accounts for that". He then told me that on Friday, two days earlier, he opted for a salad for lunch instead of Chinese take-out and when he took the boys to the diner for lunch on Sunday, he took off one half of his cheeseburger bun! Again, I thought, "YOU FUCKER." I know he felt badly even though he still had the smug look.

The next day, back on the saddle or balance board again! I bucked up and began my Wii workout (and went to the gym). B was at work and the kids, finally back at school. I decided to wait a few days til Wednesday to repeat the body test again. My Wii fit greeted with me with a "Good morning, glad to see you working out." Just as I thought this machine could be rather pleasant, it happened again! The g_d damn machine said: "Did you see B today, doesn't he look good?". "Please select one of the following: Does B look a)lighter, b)toner, c)heavier, d)wider." What? I thought. I'm logged on with my Mii, right? Then it said, it would be a nice if I told B how well he is doing and how good he is looking" What??? You godda be kidding me! I could not proceed with my workout just yet. I phoned him at work and said "Listen, fucker" told him the story and hung up on the fucker.

Last night, he decided to repeat his body test. He lost another two pounds. I think this machine is gonna hold a parade in his honor. Although, I did my workout, I didn't repeat the body test for 3 reasons: a) he could not see my weight, b) it was the evening-never weigh in at night and c) i needed to wait til Wednesday morning, my usual. Still, he had lost 8.2 pounds since New Year's Day-Fucker!!!!!!!!!! This morning I woke up, went to the bathroom, put on leggings and a tank (the lightest I could find) ran downstairs, turned on the TV, turned on the Wii, repeated my body test and guess what, my Mii looked happy and was doing a double fist pump. It said that I lost another 3.2 pounds. I double and triple checked then ran up to the scale which indicated I lost another 3.0 pounds. I'm taking liberty here and am glady accepting the Wii's results for a 5 pound weight loss. So what if a lot of it was just bloat, I'm taking it!

"My goal isn't to be thin. My goal is for my body to be the weight it can hold-to be strong and healthy and fit, to be itself."
-Oprah