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greenmedic88 on 03 April 2008
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This is a pretty clear instance of Wii Fit being used properly to achieve modest results, just based on the numbers and ignoring changes in lighting, posturing, etc.

Considering he did not seriously alter his diet is important to note although he states he frequently skipped TV snack time in the evening since he couldn't eat while using Wii Fit. He also states he ate less in the evening to avoid exercising on a full stomach and that his appetite was eventually reduced.

Over a seven week period, skipping a bag of chips (300 calories) five or so times a week and smaller portions for dinner (200-300 cal), you're looking at anywhere between a reduced intake of 2500-4200 calories per week. 3600 calories is one pound, so you can see that by simply reducing food intake by about 500 calories a day, you'd be losing about a pound per week. Without any additional exercise.

But since he didn't track any of those specifics, you can't attribute what amount of weight loss was due to the introduction of a new exercise regimen (Wii Fit daily) or due to a reduction in caloric intake. It's fair to say both contributed.

The most important thing to note here is what makes ANY new exercise program work or fail: he did it consistently for seven weeks. And clearly, having his stats and progress tracked on a regular basis was a key part of helping him staying with it. Plus it seems like he had fun using the program which is also important in sticking with a program.

But... anyone can run their own experiment with a scale and a spreadsheet program or note pad and see similar or better results depending on how they tailor their regimen and how well they stick to it.

I recently bought a Tanita scale that measures body fat and body water percentage to track results of a new, moderate exercise program and adjusted diet, after a three month sedentary period and I should easily be able to lose 10 pounds in less than one month.

I won't argue whether my own program would be more fun than Wii Fit (I'd say no unless your idea of fun is lifting weights, pull ups, crunches and running several times a week), but it will produce better results with the same number of exercise hours over a much shorter time frame.

By better results, I mean faster weight loss, lower body fat percentage, lower BMI, higher muscle mass percentage, greater strength, higher endurance and overall cardio condition. Why? Higher intensity workout from both a cardio and MS (muscular strength) position.

Discipline is the most important factor for "getting in shape," and in the blogger's case, Wii Fit provided the cohesion necessary to stick to his exercise program.

It can work for others, but it won't work for everyone (since many will stop using it consistently, which is the only way it will produce results).

Anything that can inspire someone to get off their duff and exercise AND stick with it is a big positive. Just don't expect magic results and a sudden insurgence of fit people in America due to Wii Fit.

Once Wii Fit finally comes to the US, I think those who use it successfully should post their results on VGC since so many seem bullish about the soft/peripheral.