Waisting My Life Away — The Wii Fit Diet Plan [Week 3]

For some reason whenever I mentioned that I once lost 30 pounds using (mostly) the Wii Fit, people scoffed at me. They thought it wasn't possible. Losing weight from a video game?

I have very little shame. I have done some terrible, terrible things in public to the bemusement of onlookers and friends.

I've rolled around on the floor in an attempt to break dance while holding a watermelon.

So it didn't take a whole lot of coaxing to get me to ask for Wii Fit for my birthday a few years ago. I wanted to lose weight then, as now, and I hate going to the gym.

I felt out of place at the gym. The choices seemed to be: Ride a stationary bike, run on a treadmill, or lift weights. I don't like any of those things; I love playing sports.

In high school, you'd more likely find me on a baseball diamond, at the YMCA playing basketball with friends or on the golf course -- walking it and not drinking.

But as time passed, so too did those glory days. Friends with whom I played ball moved away or work got in the way or I moved. I turned 21 and golf became a casual, drinking game in which I rode in a cart -- always -- and never hesitated to pick up another six pack at the turn.

I turned to the Wii. In the comfort of my home, without the pressure of people watching me as I wandered aimlessly through lines of elliptical machines, treadmills and stationary bikes, I could workout in my underwear if I wanted. I just had to follow along to the trainer on the screen.

The key to losing weight with Wii Fit is to pick the right workouts or customize one for yourself. I had no success using the preset "routines." The games, for the most part, lacked anything that equated a solid workout.

What I went for were the set exercises -- you don't really need the Wii Fit board for them, although it will constantly yell at you for doing the exercise incorrectly if you don't. And after you get used to the workout -- sit ups, balance bridge, pushups, squats, etc. -- you can do it without the Wii.

If you struggle to find exercises that work for you or you want to incorporate the games into your workout, I found a site that finds a happy medium that also provides a decent, muscle-toning workout. It's called Wii Fit Routine Generator. It's free as long as you sign up. It customizes a workout for your needs and seems to work pretty well.

I found this to be the most effective way to use the Wii Fit. It helped tighten up my body and get me at least looking like I was somewhat in shape.

Unfortunately, it's more difficult to get a cardio workout using only the Wii Fit. Yes, some of the exercises make you sweat, but none that I've found really get your heart pumping at a sustained rate.

So for that, I've begun, begrudgingly, running. I don't run far or for very long -- 15 minutes or so in total -- but it's enough to get my heart rate up. I run a little over a mile and that will increase over time.

In total, this week, I did the Wii Fit routine four times and went for a run three times. I also continued to eat more than I should, and the importance of diet AND exercise is all-the-more apparent.

Here's where I stand after two weeks:

Height: 6 feet, 0 inches

Weight: 196 pounds (No change)

BMI: 25.9

Waist: 39.5 inches

Gut: 42.5 inches

Exercise Habits: Starting to form

Disposition: Optimistic, for now. That's bound to change.