Dead of Summer’s Fit for Summer Wii Fit Workout: Week 2
July 3rd, 2008 by Brian
THE PROBLEM WITH ACCOUNTABILITY
I’ve just wrapped up my second week with Wii Fit and I’m already hitting a rough patch. The problem with using Wii Fit everyday is that while it’s a good motivator to see the graph dip down as you’re losing weight, it’s also very discouraging to see the graph hit a plateau, or even peak when you’ve gained a bit. It’s at this stage I think I’ve got to reiterate that you can’t expect to see fantastic results using Wii Fit alone. It’s certainly fun, and it does give you a sense that you’re excercising and engaging in physical activity. What it doesn’t do is alter other habits that require an overhaul in order to see real results.
I say this because I have GAINED a half a pound since last week. I’m at 176.6 lbs. and my progress over the past seven days has been one of peaks and troughs and plateaus. I’ve been all over the place, and I think I have a good understanding why.
I mentioned last week that I haven’t altered my eating habits drastically. Last week I did do a relatively good job of avoiding the recognizably bad things, but this week my willpower faltered. I had some ’splaining to do on more than a couple mornings. Each time you weight in Wii Fit makes you explain WHY you may have gained weight. It’s part of the accountability. You’re forced to own up to letting yourself down. The game offers a small selection of reasons to explain the weight gain. At least once I had to select “I ate too much,” which was a euphemism for the more accurate “I’m a fatty and couldn’t stop putting food in my mouth” answer.
I anticipate more of the same for next week since I’m visiting my mother this weekend and if it’s one thing that has been consistent it’s that I will be fed lots of things that Wii Fit would not approve of. If I can convince my brother to go along with me I’ll try to get some running in and maybe some calisthenics to balance out the massive feasting.
So if you’re considering Wii Fit for getting in shape or shedding the pounds, or if you’re going through a similar ordeal if you’ve already got Wii Fit, just keep in mind that changing your eating habits is very important to seeing results. You can’t do Wii Fit alone, and it seems you also can’t get away with ONLY adding 20 minutes of cardio a day on top of it. It would be wise to change how you eat as well if you want to see the pounds drop off and feel accomplished during the trek to reach your goal.
Next week I’ll chime in again and hope to have better news than that I’ve been stagnant because I like chocolate mousse cake and chips with salsa.
July 4th, 2008 at 10:42 am
Hey man, don’t get discouraged. It took me 8 months to lose 55 lbs. and that was with lifting, and cardio every other day. Remember too that if your body is craving something, then it’s not getting some nutrient it needs, and it knows where to get it. I found a good Multi vitamin like a gmc mega man, or something helped with cravings and Blondie’s been taking omega 3 fatty acids along with that and it’s been helping.
July 4th, 2008 at 8:29 pm
Awesome! Thanks for the info. I’m currently visiting my mother this weekend for the holiday and am ruining any progress I may have made. I’ll get back in the saddle on Monday with some new tactics (maybe some vitamins) and I think I’ll have to kick it into overdrive to get rid of some of my man-boob perk before Otakon.
July 5th, 2008 at 8:57 pm
Don’t get discouraged! Remember that the Wii Fit’s BMI system does not account for changes in muscle mass and muscle weighs more than fat. To get a better idea of your progress I’d suggest getting a measuring tape and using that as well, especially if you’re concentrating on the muscle building exercises.
I also have a confession to make. I haven’t even stepped onto the Wii Fit in about a week…maybe a little more, so you’re not the only one in a slump. It’s tough to get into a new routine.