by Kristen J K

Created on: February 19, 2009   Last Updated: March 11, 2009

Ever since I saw the Wii Fit advertised, I wanted one. I dreamed of getting a fabulous body while having fun. Of course, I begged my husband to get on board and we have been proud Wii Fit owners for the last 4 months. I must say that I am healthily addicted and it has been a great addition to my fitness life. I am more toned, more flexible, and my hubby is losing weight!

In case you are unfamiliar with the Wii Fit, it is an innovative new video game for the Nintendo Wii console. It features a balance board that measures your weight, body mass index (bmi), and center of balance. When you add a new Wii character, you are required to complete a "body test"; you enter in your height, your weight is measured, and the game calculates your bmi. Based on your bmi, you are classified as underweight, normal, overweight, or obese. The system logs your stats and lets you set a goal to reach: a specific bmi or weight before a specified date. Every time you use your Wii Fit, you earn a stamp on the calendar and a new dot on your graph. This helps you track your progress and stay motivated!

There are 4 types of exercises/games: yoga (my favourite), strength, balance, and aerobics. Some are much more strenuous while others are mainly fun. I have personally found the yoga exercises to have improved my balance, muscle tone, and flexibility! I have always been petite, so I don't use the Wii Fit for weight loss, but my hubby has lost 10 pounds in the last month using it. The aerobic and strength exercises definitely can get your heart rate up and help you lose weight. The hula hoops and "run" (you run on the spot) especially can be pretty challenging.

As with any exercise weight loss program, the key to losing weight on the Wii Fit is dedication. Obviously, the games are pretty fun, but you have to be willing to treat them as a legitimate workout. Be prepared to put as much effort and time into it as you would a fitness dvd or class. Also, make sure you focus on the aerobic and strength exercises. When you consider the cost of a gym membership, the Wii Fit is very reasonable by comparison (45 bucks a months vs. 100 bucks for the game). What I love about the Wii Fit is that I can do it in my own home, work out for as long or as little as I want, and I can easily track my progress. I also love feeling sore the next day and knowing that I actually worked out my muscles! If you are committed to have a great time and get in shape, I would definitely recommend a Wii Fit! Happy exercising!

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