In defense of Wii Fit, Kicking excuses in the bum, and FEELING GOOD after exercise! Woo!

I don't hear much about Wii Fit anymore since it came out all those years ago, and even after the Wii U came out with the new (albeit very similar) version, it just seems like no one was terribly impressed with it as a fitness game. I will admit that after using it on and off for years, I was beginning to lose enthusiasm myself, but...

For a little over a month now I've been back at it and absolutely loving it and seeing results. I think the problem some people have is that there is so much freedom with Wii Fit that it can be hard to find the exercises that they want/need (the game has tools for this but they're not super easy to find), and you have to be pretty motivated in terms of choosing the activities you know will work you out, as it's easy to just choose some balance games and easy yoga, etc, when you're feeling lazy. I can also see how it might get boring or not challenging enough for those who are really fit, although there are still some exercises that I think could benefit everyone--just not necessarily as an entire fitness routine the way I use it right now!

And on to my other, semi-related topic...

I have found that the Wii Fit has helped me out a lot in staying active this winter. In the fall I was going for regular walks after dinner, and continued even after it was getting dark very early, and when it was cold, etc. Unfortunately, I live in New England, and in recent weeks the temps have been ridiculously cold! Gone were my evening walks, due to well-below-freezing temps. So I started going for jogs on the Wii U! I do the "island lap" every day, which is about one mile. Sometimes I add in the short distance jog too, to get in a little more steps for my FitBit. I have also found that the rowing game REALLY works me out, legs, butt, core, and arms--wow. I do that a few times in a row and I'm really feeling it!

And no, the cold isn't the only excuse I've beaten. I work full time and go to school what is considered "three-quarters-time," which means for me that I am up at 5:45 to get to work for 7, at work until 4, and then have about a half hour at home to change or grab a snack before heading back out the door to go to class, which gets out at 7, and then I'm finally home around 7:30. Tired? Yes. But I am FINALLY reaching that point where exercising makes me feel better once I'm done! I never thought it would happen to me. :P So at this point I do my routine on the Wii U, about 35 minutes, and even though it's late afterward, I actually feel refreshed and can do dinner, shower, and have a bit of time to relax before bed. I am absolutely loving this routine so far, about two weeks in. I know it takes longer than that to build a habit, but I'm going to make sure I do!

So in short, don't knock Wii Fit until you've tried it; it's actually really helpful, especially if you want to save money on a gym membership and/or can't get outside. And kick your excuses in the bum! I can promise anyone who is reading this and thinking they will never feel good from exercising, I used to feel precisely that way, even after going at it for months and feeling like crap afterward. But it finally happened. I don't know exactly why, but it did. And it will for you too. You just have to keep at it.

Wow, such ramble. I hope this is helpful to at least someone!