By Katrina Rasbold

Recently, the Wii Fit has come under fire from many directions for being ineffective as a weight loss tool, being touted by its decriers as “only a game.”

While it is certainly a game (that is not to be denied), I find it ridiculous that anyone would say that it is ineffective as exercise for weight loss.  I am living proof that it works.

Dr. Christiane Northrup was asked what the best exercise is for losing weight.  She immediately replied, “The one you will do.”  Whether it is long distance running, bicycling, gym work outs, dancing or the Wii Fit, the exercise that you enjoy and can stick with is the best one for you to use.

Of course, like birth control, the Wii Fit doesn’t work if you don’t use it.  It was recently determined that few people continue to use the Wii Fit after one month’s time, prompting it to be labeled “America’s new #1 dust collector.” 

The creator of the Wii Fit, Shigeru Miyamoto, has gone on record admiting that the game is less about people losing weight and more about broadening the videogame market.

Essentially, while Sony marketed Grand Theft Auto to the teen sector and Microsoft marketed X-box’s Halo 3 to the teen sector, Nintendo got smart and marketed the Wii Fit, My Fitness Coach and Jillian Michaels’ Fitness Ultimatum to the moms of those kids.

Wii Fit, advertised as a way to get the whole family exercising, became the breakout sensation of those three games and this Christmas, you were lucky if you could find one on a shelf anywhere in America.

As a weight loss tool, there are some fundamental flaws in the Wii Fit that are a potential problem if you are not relatively knowledgable about how to lose weight in the first place.

There is no work out program included.  Users find their own way through a number of different games designed to increase strength and flexibility, improve balance and focus or burn calories.  The marketed idea is that these are all ways to get fit and are a good workout in any combination.

While that may be true, if substantial weight loss is your goal, you have to be careful about how you are investing your Wii Fit time and energy.  Spending 30 minutes on balance games will help you to build your core strength, but it isn’t going to burn very many calories.  Working out with the strength buidling exercises or yoga will strengthen your body’s muscles, get your body parts working better together and increase stamina, but you won’t burn as many calories as you will if you also include cardio/aerobic exercises.

Doing 45 minutes of Basic Stepping will definitely be better than doing nothing if you haven’t been moving much at all in the past and will certainly help your rhythm and timing, but you won’t likely break a sweat. 

The Wii Fit can definitely be used for successful weight loss provided a balanced exercise program of strength building, yoga and good, sweaty aerobic exercise is implemented over time. 

Part of the purpose of this site is to lay out a specific, yet adaptable, plan to use the Wii Fit to achieve long term weight loss, strength and fitness.

The categories to your right will provide you with tips on how to adjust your eating and suggested Wii Fit work out programs to maximize your weight loss.

No, the Wii Fit doesn’t work if you don’t use it, but if you use it wisely, it is just as effective as any other work out tool.