WiiFit: Pulse Pak

This isn't a "frugal" posting but more of "did you know it existed" one.

Best Buy is selling a WiiFit Pulse Pak for $14.99. It's a Wii remote holder and a heart rate monitor.

I've discovered that more times than not, I don't have pockets when I workout. I hate holding the Wii remote when I run. So this is an item that I think would be useful for my "training."

Side Note: I just unlocked the Free Run yesterday. I clicked on it tonight and it says you can run while watching TV? I'm now curious and have to try it this weekend. It's a 10 minute (lowest choice) run. Have any of you tried this?? I saw that it also has choices for 20 and 30 minutes. I am definitely making it my goal to someday do the 30 minute one!!

Fitness Fridays: My Progress So Far

Friday again?! Hard to believe we've already flown through a week in the new year. On January 1st, I started my fitness commitment. 7 weeks ago, I had a beautiful little baby girl but now, I'm trying to get back into those pre-baby jeans. (I know a LOT of you are with me on that!) I'm also focusing on getting healthy, not only to be healthy, but also so I can build up strength to train to be a runner. I've had set-backs in the past from starting off wrong or taking on too much but I'm taking baby steps this time!!

So I started with the WiiFit. I have put in 1/2 an hour of exercise every day this week but gave myself Tuesday off, due to a crazy day. My starting weight was 118.6 lbs and I am now at 117.7. One pound gone. I'll take it! But here's the deal...I gained a pound halfway through the week!

Let me tell you, it was incredibly aggravating to see the weight climb HIGHER on the Wii scale. But I was determined not to let it get me down. I'm in it for the long-haul! So I suppose in one sense, I lost two pounds this week?

I am loving the fun aspect of the WiiFit. Who knew exercise could be as fun as getting whacked in the head with a soccer ball or sliding a penguin on an iceberg! But aside from their yoga and strengthening choices, I wanted a little more seriousness to my workouts. So I picked up a copy of My Fitness Coach(I'm going to post a review separately on that later. But it's definitely a thumbs up "game.")

All in all, it's been a good week. I've made a few changes to my diet, adding a few healthier options to my daily meals. And I've slowly weaned myself from those late night ice cream cravings. I've replaced them with exercising!

Some of you may be having a hard time getting exercise in. Look at it this way. Spend 15-30 minutes a day, or when you can, doing some exercise and the energy boost you get from it will help you get your housework done faster! :) It's a nice trade-off. And who knows, you might actually enjoy exercising! (Hey, I'm a geek...what can I say!!)

Hoping your week is going well, too! And for those of you who don't have a WiiFit or Wii, consider trying Denise Austin's Personal Training DVD. It allows you to create your own workouts, too. And she's a great trainer! (Amazon has it on sale for $8.49 right now. If I find it cheaper elsewhere, I'll update the posting.)

Also, consider joining a Mommy Fitness Club/Forum like WiiFit Mommies. Having others to talk to is a great motivator! (Not only that, but you get to join in on their Twitter Parties! Next one...Feb 13th! I can't wait!)

Good Luck!

Click here to read Julie's inspiring story and others from more WiiFit Mommies!

If you've blogged about your exercise this week, please leave us your link below so we can inspire ourselves even more! Don't have a blog? Please leave a comment in the comment section below this posting!

Fitness Friday: And So It Begins!

Well, this is my first Fitness Friday posting. If you have a WiiFit and haven't joined the WiiFit Mommies group, check it out here. They are also having a Twitter Party today (Saturday) from 7-9pm CST.

I actually put in my first full WiiFit session yesterday. 32 minutes later, my calves were screaming at me...which I loved! No pain, no LOSS! :) I weighed in at 118lbs. That may sound great but when you are petite and used to being around 105-107lbs, it's not! But, having a healthy daughter to show for that weight gain...I treasure every pound! (now I just have to lose them!)

So far, my favorite activities on the WiiFit are the Hula Hoops and Steps choices. If you don't have a WiiFit, let me tell you this...go out and spend $5 on a Hula Hoop and work with it a few minutes each day. You will definitely feel it working!

My view on exercising right now is similar to dishes. You dread doing them but once you are finished, you feel great! Instead of a clean kitchen, though, you get this amazing feeling of renewed energy.

And for those of you who think you may be too old to exercise, I just received a Christmas card from my great-uncle who's in his 70s. He wrote how it was 34 degrees in Vegas and he ran 4 miles. FOUR MILES at 70+. I sure hope I can write that in 40 years!

I am having a blast with the WiiFit. Yeah, the system, along with the Wii, may cost you around $350 but it's worth every penny. Think of it as being cheaper than a gym membership or equipment!

Right now, I am focusing on getting back in shape and then...on to training for a 5K. I found a great program called Couch Potato to 5K. You can find the link for it here on my other blog.

Happy Fitness Friday, everyone! If you'd like to read more Fitness Friday postings, click here.

WiiFit Mommies: Site's back up!

In case any of you registered for the WiiFit Mommiis group from my last posting, you'll have to register again. There's a posting about it here. Just click on the register button to sign-up again.

For those of you whom missed the first posting, definitely check out the info. on the group! It's a great way to start off 2009...by committing to getting healthy!

Hope to see you sign-up for the group! Feel free to use my username (Jaycie) as the referrer.

WiiFit Mommiis: New Year, New You Challenge

Jenn, from the Coupon Coup, gave me a heads up of a new site with a mission...WiiFit Mommiis: New Year, New You Challenge! The site revolves around exercising using the WiiFit system. Click here to read Jenn's story. Click here to register and join in on the challenge!

I've already signed up and am anxious for the big January 1st kick-off! Here's hoping you'll be a WiiFit Mommii, too!

Update: These links are "dead." Click on my newer posting here for the most recent link.