I had no idea what I was getting into. Sure I wanted to try the new Wii Fit. It sounded great. Only I blew it. I didn’t preorder it – what was I thinking – and no matter how I tried, I couldn’t find it locally. And then it happened. Kismet. Chance. Divine intervention. I got a Wii Fit.
As usual, we put the new toy to the three-generation field test. I started – privately – because there was no need to share my weight, body mass index or Wii Fit age with everyone else. I mean, I am testing the product, why do I need to share anything else? The bad news, my little “Mii” who represents me in the game gave away the bad news. Both my mom and my daughter laughed when they saw my plump little me welcoming them to the game.
The humiliating initiation was strikingly similar to that first session at the gym when the great looking 20 year old athletic “trainer” weighs you in and does your measurements and then enthusiastically says, “okay, let’s get started!” The upside? This is a machine and I can mock it as much as I want. I went through as many games as I could, working my booty through yoga, balance, aerobics and strength training. Did I mention humiliation yet?
Both my mom and my daughter tried each of the games and did well and some and failed at others. I have to say it was nice to see the playing field leveled and it turns out each of us is better at one particular area.
Mom, who’s 70, is really good at yoga. She thinks it’s because she goes to Curves. I think it’s because she’s retired and spends most of her day breathing.
Katie is really good at balance. At eight years old, she’s still lower to the ground and hasn’t experienced her first hang over. I give her time, she’ll get crooked soon enough.
As for me, who would have thought I would excel at aerobics? At 46, I am anything but athletic, but I have always been able to take a punch, I can still carry the kid to bed and chase a group of school kids on a field trip. I also really like to dance – all that booty shaking of mine paid off. I have rhythm and can hula hoop with the pros (well, not really, but on the Wii Fit – booya)!
I have my goals set – a great feature – for this month and I have committed to using it to work out at least 20 minutes every day (folks are reporting how they are doing in online diaries). It’s pretty fun and it is getting me moving in ways I would have never managed on my own. I will let you know in a month if there are any “results” worth mentioning.
Is it worth the investment? You can check out the personal reviews. It’s about the same price as a month’s membership at the gym. I woke up this morning with an achy butt, er um, glutes and a burning in my abdomen. Something must be happening because those were some new muscle groups getting my attention. I think it’s worth it and the whole family can benefit. I mean, I will never be able to do what that woman in the video below can do, but I want to meet the guy over 40 who can! (I mean seriously, I want to meet you!)