GeekSugar

Wii Fit Fitness Journal: Week Three

GeekSugar — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 10:03:23 -0700

My 30 day Wi Fit Fitness Challenge is fast approaching the home stretch, and I couldn't be happier with the results! In just three weeks, I'm down four pounds, which may not seem like a lot, but it's pretty awesome considering I stopped my usual routine of going to the gym and didn't change my eating habits. Although I might miss my goal of losing eight pounds, I think losing any inches (and getting closer to a healthier BMI) is a pretty good testament that the Wii Fit really does work.

I spent a ton of time getting down with Rhythm Boxing, and increased my aerobic fitness (surely at the dismay of my downstairs neighbors) with the Free Run this week. I'm not so enthused about jogging in the real world, but when it comes to running with Wii Fit, I'm a calorie burner! Who knew!? To hear more about why I'm so into the Free Runs, and get a few more tips on how to fire up your Wii Fit workouts, just read more.

The best part about the "Free Run" is that you can change the channel, watch a movie, or catch up on episodes of The Hills, while jogging along. Your trainer will update you through the Wiimote and tell you if you are keeping a good pace and how much longer you have to go until your goal time. My only complaint? I wish you could increase your free run time in smaller increments - jumping from a 10 minute run to a 20 minute run might be a bit much for a novice runner to handle!

But to get a really awesome, sweat-inducing workout while running, try lifting your knees up high or taking a wider stance to work all the muscles in your legs. And I can't stress enough about how holding small weights in your hands while you're running (and really swinging those arms) will get your blood pumping - and tone your shoulders to boot!

Oh, and that Jackknife Trainer Challenge? My abs are burning just thinking about it! Have you been loving your Wii Fit this week? Tell us about your favorite exercises, and share your progress in the comments below!

Wii Fit Fitness Journal: Week One

GeekSugar — Wed, 21 May 2008 10:00:27 -0700

So far, me and the Wii Fit are good pals. He knows how to make me laugh, how to sweat, and shows me what I'm made of - we're a good pair. This week, although a few days short of a full seven days of dissecting WF, it was a good one. I can tell from the soreness in my hips and abs that the time put into perfecting my Hula Hooping skills is paying off. Additionally, I've found that my endless tree and warrior poses are indeed helping my flexibility! Who knew that in the first week I could feel this many results off of a game.

At first, I thought that I may get bored with the same games every day, but thankfully, every ten minutes you put in on the Wii Fit, opens up a new activity. And every time you repeat an activity, a new difficulty level challenges you for a better, longer, or harder workout. Last night I ran the moderate trail on my run and actually broke a bit of a sweat! No kidding! Although there's been no change yet to my BMI, I did have some fun and made a few technical notes along the way that may help you in your Wii Fitness journey. To find out what they are, read more.

Use your Wii Fit on a hard surface or low pile carpeting to get the most accurate weight results. If you don't have either, try placing the Wii Fit on a plastic chair runner or place mat for the body test portion. Just remember to remove it after being weighed, so you don't slip!
You can log extra activity into your profile to add to your daily totals. From your profile page, click the graph, and then "Activity Log" to record your time at the gym, hitting the pavement, or even doing dishes!
You can skip the demo portion of the exercise by hitting "Try It."
Make sure to download the Wii Fit Channel to get a condensed version of some of the exercises.

I'll be serving up more great Wii Fit findings and tips this week, so stay tuned!

Wii Fit: Tips and Tricks

GeekSugar — Fri, 23 May 2008 09:00:40 -0700

With my first week of the Wii Fit Fitness Challenge under my belt, I've discovered some tricks to get the most out of your workouts with your virtual trainer. But since Wii Fit is so easy to use and follow along with, you really won't have any trouble catching on right away and burning off that fro-yo you had for lunch! I'm really excited about the new challenges I have been unlocking every day, and hope that some of you who were lucky enough to get your hands on the Wii Fit can participate and share your tips with us as well! Check out my handy Wii Fit tips in the slideshow!

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Wii Fit Fitness Journal: A Retrospective

GeekSugar — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 07:15:09 -0700

Although my Wii Fit 30 day Challenge is over, I have continued to use it and enjoy its benefits - I've taken up yoga, but I'm still enlisting the WF to guide me through some great balance games and strength training workouts at home. And even though Wii creator Shigeru Miyamoto stated in a recent Wired Magazine interview, that the Wii Fit is more of a "communication tool for families and a form of interactive entertainment" than a game, as far as I'm concerned I'd still call it a pretty good (and fun) workout. Check out my roundup of my Wii Fit experience, experiments, and tricks to get the most out of your Wii Fit!

View Slideshow ›

Wii Fit Fitness Journal: Week Two

GeekSugar — Wed, 28 May 2008 09:00:13 -0700

I'm absolutely hooked on my Wii Fit, and I'm not ashamed to say it. Although I have yet to get a kick-butt aerobic workout like I do at my gym during cardio kickboxing, I'm finding myself to be more flexible than ever - plus, I think I even stand up straighter! My dominant workouts this week were yoga (I can't believe how much I'm loving it) and running. Taking on the Island Run for the first time was really fun, since I got to check out the lay of the virtual land (which is pretty sweet, by the way).

Plus, once you're finished with your jaunt that's worth 10 minutes in your Wii Fit Bank, you'll surely need that sweat towel (especially if you use my tip from last week to hold full water bottles or weights in your hands while you're running)!

And what was the nicest surprise I discovered? To find out just read more.

But the nicest surprise, besides finding that I have more energy, is that my BMI is slowly trickling down the stat chart! Although it's not a significant difference, it surely is putting to rest any doubts I had about the Wii Fit being a fun and interactive weight loss aid. I'm stoked to see what the end results will be in two more weeks. But checking in with you newly addicted Wii Fit-ters - how is it going on your first week? Are you digging the yoga and hula hooping as much as I did? Tell us about your experiences, and share your tips in the comments below!

Wii Fit Fitness Journal: Week Four

GeekSugar — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 09:00:56 -0700

Well, my month long journey with the Wii Fit has come to an end. Although I had a lot of fun (and lost a few pounds in the process), I'm actually excited to take my workouts to the next level! I was never a gym class sort of person, but using the Wii Fit's yoga workouts, really have me itching to get back to the gym and try out a full-fledged yoga class!

Needless to say, I had a blast training with the Wii Fit, and am actually planning on getting one for my parents this Christmas, since my dad really loved the balance games! How have your results been? And don't forget to cheer each other on in the Gaming Fitness group! To see my completed challenge results, read more!

Since I started the challenge, I have lost a total of four and a half pounds, I've reduced my BMI by one point, but the best result I've achieved is more flexibility, stronger arms, and stronger abs from all the yoga, planks, and jackknife challenges!

Have you been keeping up with my challenge? Tell us about the results you've achieved in the comments below!

Geek Out: What Do You Wear When You Wii?

GeekSugar — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 11:30:22 -0800

I have just learned that if you want to be really chic while playing the Wii, you have to suit up in proper sporty, but totally cute clothes. City magazine has put together a fun mix of outfits for Wii tennis, baseball, golf, boxing and bowling and while I usually play my Wii in PJs or work clothes, I'm up for the fashion challenge.

I sent the photos to FabSugar, who challenged me to find the ultimate Wii sports outfit. While I am as fashionable as the next girl, I need your help. Just search the web for your favorite geeky Wii sports-inspired clothes, bookmark them on TeamSugar under the tag "Wii sports outfit" and if we like your picks FabSugar and I will feature our favorite ensembles on our sites. For tips on bookmarking, what I'm looking for and a detailed description of the items above, just read more

Criteria: Search the web for cute, comfy clothes that would be functional and chic for playing the Wii. If you are a Wii bowler, try and find some great bowling shoes. If you are a Wii boxing fan, try and find some chic shorts.

To start bookmarking, just add this link to your browser's favorites: Save to TeamSugar
For a more detailed explanation of bookmarks click here.

Don't forget to come back and tell me that your Geek Gear is up, or just tag your finds with "Wii sports outfit."

Shown above:
Tennis wear: 01 Cabled cricket vest, price on request, and classic-fit polo, $75, both by Polo Ralph Lauren 02 Etoile diamond bangle, $14,000, by Tiffany & Co. 03 P’8419 sunglasses, $375, by Porsche Design 04 Map dress, price upon request, by Lacoste. Baseball wear: 05 Baseball cap, price on request, by Chanel 06 Cushion signet ring in 18K gold, $1,500, by Tiffany & Co. 07 Chuck Taylor Painted White sneakers, $110, by Converse by John Varvatos 08 Black sequined T-shirt, $295, by DKNY.

Games Can Get You In Shape For the Big Day Too!

GeekSugar — Tue, 13 May 2008 15:00:36 -0700

I guess it's a rite of passage that you freak out before your wedding - whether it's over the flower arrangements, the cake, or your body. Although you should never stoop to crash dieting (I know Fit would tell you the same), it may actually help you to chill out by playing a video game. Bonus, if those games are interactive and get your blood pumping, you might just lose a few pounds while you're at it and tip the scales in your favor.

We all know what a workout you can get by playing Dance Dance Revolution, right? While having a blast matching your foot movements with the beat, in one hour you could be burning up to 900 calories! Not to mention, it might help you learn a few moves for the reception.

There are a few more great games to get you into shape. Find out what they are when you read more.

Wii Fit is the most anticipated excergaming device of the year! With the Wii being totally family friendly, Wii Fit is sure to make a dent in the child obesity rates, right? Although you probably aren't going to get a killer cardio workout like you would in step class at your gym, you'll learn relaxation with yoga, tone your muscles, and amp up your coordination so you can walk down the aisle calm, cool, and super toned.

My Weight Loss Coach is hitting the shelves in the fall and I can already tell it will be one of my fave weight loss devices yet. Not only is it super portable – made just for your Nintendo DS – it has the potential to help you make leaps and bounds with your eating habits. . . as well as keeping you honest about your activity.

Wii Sports has been an excergaming fave since it "bowled" its way into our hearts in 2006. Not only used for rehabilitation in hospitals, preventing sedentary lifestyles in seniors, and of course weight loss, but possibly improving your golf swing so you can be sure to impress your new hubby while on your honeymoon!

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Wii Fit Gets a Launch Date - Will You Be in Line?

GeekSugar — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 03:40:39 -0800

At the 2008 Game Developers Conference here in San Francisco, Nintendo has finally announced a May 19th launch date for the much talked about Wii Fit. Having sold over 1.4 million units in Japan so far, it seems as if exergaming has become more popular than some originally thought. Although no price has been set, I'm counting on Nintendo to bring it to the masses on the affordable tip. Are you planning on getting fit with the Wii?
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Gadgets That Help You Chill Out, Stave Off Wedding Stress

GeekSugar — Thu, 15 May 2008 09:00:28 -0700

Now that you're working out and pumping those muscles with games in preparation for your wedding that burn you feel in your shoulders may not just be the result of some power lifting, but stress.

And as I'm sure you know, between your workout regime, long hours at the office, and dealing with your mother-in-law to be's seating chart (that you didn't ask her for), you may be wanting to head for the hills! Thankfully, gadgets are not only good for playing games and calculating tip percentages, they can also be good for relieving stress.

Let some of these gadgets help you chill out and relax so you don't have a major breakdown (or a breakout) on your wedding day! Check out all my stress relieving gadget suggestions when you read more.

Not only does Wii Fit incorporate relaxing yoga in its many workout options, but your DS allows you to take your new yoga instructor with you where ever you go with Let's Yoga DS. Helping beginners and experts alike flow through the stretching and relaxing poses really does bring your stress level to a minimum. Now all you have to do is hang onto that feeling when you're done!

My favorite part about a mani/pedi is the calf massage! Now you can have that soothing feeling at home with the Legs Beautification Leg Massager. May I suggest you have this with you while getting your hair and makeup done pre-wedding just to make sure you are totally blissful when you walk down the aisle?!

What's more relaxing than spending a few stolen moments gazing out at the ocean? If you aren't lucky enough to live near the beach bring the essence of the beach to your home with this geeky Umine Home Projection Lamp. Project moving water on your wall or ceiling, while the sounds of seagulls, waves, and bubbles help you to forget how far over budget your reception has become.

A classic gadget to help you massage away the stress of your bridesmaids nit picking over their dresses, the Mini Massager is small enough to toss in your purse before the big day, or on your way to meet the new in laws, while the USB Massager is perfect for those long menu organization sessions in front of your computer.

My love for bubble wrap extends beyond mere fun. Have you ever noticed how calming it is to pop those little bubbles? The Bubble Wrap Keychain can take you to that calm place where ever you are. I may not be able to say the same for the person sitting next to you on the bus, but hey, it's your wedding you're stressing about - you can do what you want!

Be sure to see more wedding coverage on I Do Sugar.

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