To Wii or not ?

morganlefay

I'm sorry if this is wrong place to ask this - if so please will you move it kind Board Guides ?

I am v large, have badly arthritic knees, diabetes and live in a very hilly area. I need to take exercise but it hurts my knees a lot to walk anywhere from my front door. I do sometimes go swimming which helps a bit. I know everything you could tell me about diets, slimming world etc etc, but lose weight only very slowly and with great difficulty even if I don't cheat, I suspect because I don't exercise as well. A friend in much the same shape as I am has recently lost 2 stone on a combination of Slimming World and a Wii ( she can't easily walk any distance without pain too) If I thought a Wii would make me start exercising gently, and then get the habit of it I would save up and buy one in a flash - simple walking is NOT an option, and I'd try Slimming world again. But it seems like a lot of money and I have no idea exactly what a Wii is and how it works. Can anyone tell me if they are worth it ?
Many grateful thanks in advance.

McKneff

Please, please contact your doctor first, all the organs in your body are affected by exercise and be guided by him.

The Wii is not a magic machine and its more likely your friends diet has been the major factor. If she is two stones
lighter its 2 stones of body weight less pressure on her knees/feet.

I would hate anyone to buy one then over do it and then the doc says its not suitable.

VfM4meplse

As my Mum says, never miss an opportunity!

I don't have a Wii myself, but wish more people with your health problems were as motivated as you to do something about it instead of using it as an excuse for inactivity. I think yoga may be an ideal package for you, but the only way of finding out for sure is going into an electrical store and having a demo.

ETA: I agree the hills probably aren't doing you much good. You'll find aqua-execrcise more beneficial.

BlondeHeadOn

I am disabled with mobility problems, and I bought a Wii with Wii Fit Plus, and later on 'Just Dance 2'.

I have found to to be brilliant, as you can do as much or as little as you can manage, and it is great fun. Daft things like canoeing (which comes free with the Wii) can get you really out of puff - but use the arms not the legs so are good for people with mobility problems. In fcat things like canoeing you can do sitting down if you want, and still get th benefit of exercise.

I'd suggest you start with just buying the Wii, as you get Wii Sport and Wii Sports Resort with that, and see how you get on. I'd recommend the Just dance 2 as well, as this is good fun. (The Wii Fit I don't use so much as I find all the chatter irritating, but that may be just me!)

HTH

BlondeHeadOn

Forgot to add: they are using the Wii in our local hospital as part of the exercise programme for stroke and other patients - as it is great for gentle exercise. It's worth googling "Wii-habilitation" if you are interestede in this.

crocodileteeth

I think you will need a balance board for the wii fit and I seem to remember that there is a weight limit on it. Can't find any info on the nintendo website but it maybe worth checking before parting with any cash.

VfM4meplse

BlondeHeadOn wrote: »

Forgot to add: they are using the Wii in our local hospital as part of the exercise programme for stroke and other patients - as it is great for gentle exercise. It's worth googling "Wii-habilitation" if you are interestede in this.

It's great to see some innovation in practice - although I accept that Wii are probably offering this foc in the hope of securing more sales amongst patients. If other devices are anything to go by, there may be some good discount vouchers available from the NHS service.

nzmegs

You really need to speak to your doctor abut your weight and the issues it is causing. Try doing some reading about insulin sensitivity. your problem may be to do with carbohydrates and sugars in your diet. Many of these diets you have already tried ask you to eat low fat and plenty of carbs. if you are insulin resistant you will find it really hard to lose weight. try cutting out sugars and refined carbs from your diet. Still stay low fat if you wish but it isn't incredibly important if you have cut out sugar completely.

Now with regard to the Wii - we used to have one and it is fun. But motivation is the key to any exercise program and consistency. Anything will work if you do it everyday. I understand that you knees are hurting you, but they will still hurt you on the Wii. I am not telling you to push through the pain - but consider building up to longer walks over time. As you lose weight and increase the strength in your legs it will get easier.

try a five minute walk this week and a ten minute one next week. Whatever exercise you choose, do it every single day without fail. Very quickly you will be surprised by what your body can actually do.