I am a video game addict.
It was almost 15 years ago exactly when I last succumbed to gamer addiction. The results were fairly disastrous.
I just turned 12 and spent my birthday money on a new Sega Genesis console. After that, I sat in front of the TV playing Sonic the Hedgehog until my eyes glossed over and I became sick to my stomach. I stopped playing outside.
Much to my horror, I turned into a seriously chubby kid. My 6th grade photo looks like I have an acute bee sting allergy and I’d just been attacked by an entire hive.
If my 7th grade gym teacher hadn’t hooked me on running, I might still be trying to conquer Street Fighter II while wallowing in a pile of Cooler Ranch Doritos, Mountain Dew and self-pity.
But since swearing off video games, I’ve fallen off the wagon again. For Wii Fit. My in-laws picked up a copy of the Nintendo exercise game, and everyone in the family uses it. Hopefully this will be a healthier addiction.
In a nutshell, Wii Fit let users pick and choose their workout from about 40 guided exercises, ranging from basic yoga breathing to balancing games to advanced strengthening maneuvers. It has sold about 4 million copies worldwide while demand continues to greatly outstrip supply.
Here are some lessons Wii has taught me over the last two months. Fortunately, you can apply these principles to your own workouts without having to rush out and buy a $90 game – if you can even find it.
Build slowly
To start with, Wii Fit limits what a new user can do. As you put in time at the basic level, you “unlock” additional reps, varieties and intensities of exercises. The get what you put into it.
Real Life Equivalent Like my Pilates instructor says: If fitness is a skyscraper, you can’t build from the top or everything will fall apart. You need to first establish a solid foundation.
Be the penguin
Keep in mind, Wii Fit is a video game. First and foremost video games are designed to be fun. One exercise, for example, features a boy dressed in a penguin suit trying to catch squirmy fish jumping up on an iceberg. The goal? Wiggle your hips to grab as many fish as possible. Why? Because it’s fun, dammit. As a secondary benefit, it work your hips and helps develop balance.
Real Life Equivalent Have fun while you work out. So go play tag with your kids. Possibly while dressed up like a penguin.
30 minute rule
Wii Fit workouts are measured by minutes, not by number or type of exercises. This allows for a lot of flexibility. You pick up credits bit by bit from doing workouts like five minutes of boxing, 10 minutes of step aerobics or 15 minutes of yoga poses. The Wii congratulates you when you reach the cumulative 30 minute mark for the day.
Real Life Equivalent Anyone can find 30 minutes in their day to exercise – even when busy. You just might need to be creative. Always keep something like an exercise video, a bag with your gym clothes, running shoes or a yoga mat handy.
Get adventurous
I’m not a hula hoop type of guy. I don’t play soccer. I’m still a newbie when it comes to yoga. But I’ve branched out into new territory on Wii Fit and, to my surprise, really liked it there. In fact, an unusual game that includes heading flying soccer balls while dodging cleats and panda heads (don’t ask) is the exercise I’ve done the most times by far. You just never know what you’ll like until you try it.
Real Life Equivalent Join a new sport in your local rec league, like kickball or dance lessons. Mixing things up will benefit you mentally and physically.
Put down the controller
Ultimately, Wii Fit is still a video game. A controller is no substitute for fresh air, the wind in your face during a bike ride or watching the leaves change while running on the Oak Leaf Trail. Sometimes you just have to break the addiction.
Real Life Equivalent Real Life.
Training with Tim is arguably
