To Wii or not to Wii
 

Hi all, been thinking of getting a Wii Fit but want to know if anyone else has gotten one. My balance and mobility and coordination are terrible and I wanted to know if I could still use it. I used to be fit and active and not doing stuff is slowly driving me mad and I thought a Wii might help but not sure.

I get two types of loss of balance - one vertigo type, and the other is the more drunken stumbling type, veering to the left all the time although I want to go in another direction etc. I've recently noticed that the second type seems to get worse in dark or low light, and I also get a falling over backwards sensation too, but this is not connected to do with eyesight issues as far as I can tell, it's just that my balance gets worse the darker it gets! I constantly feel like I’m dancing in the dark and not sure I could Wii. :(

I have the Nintendo Wii and the Wii Fit for it also. If i'm being honest, I probably prefer the Wii on it's own rather than the Wii Fit but I think that is because I can't do some of the exercises due to pain and balance problems with my legs.

I like the Wii on it's own as it is a lot of fun and it also helps with my arms as I am keeping them moving and doing some minor exercises.

I have lots of the games for the Wii and they are all really good and it is nice playing them with my mum or any of my friends that come to my house when I am feeling up to it. My favourite game though probably has to be the Wii Sports as it is really fun and I miss playing sports now due to my health. The Wii makes me feel as though I can do some sports - even if it is in a virtual way!!

When I spoke to my Physical Therapist's about getting the Wii, they said that they can be really useful and that many Rehabillitation Centres around here use them for people who have just had a Stroke, Surgery etc to try and get them functioning again and have had lots of success with them. They told me to go for it and that it could potentially help with some of my balance problems. I have been on the Wii 'Gym' before and done some balancing exercises and I think it has helped me a little.

I guess everyone is different and only you will know what you can and can't cope with. I don't think there would be any risk in trying the Wii Fit as long as you are careful and follow all of the instructions given. Maybe talk to your Doctor also and see if he/she has heard of any MS patients using the Wii Fit and if so, how they have reacted?

I hope all goes well for you and have fun!!!!

LOVE LOVE LOVE my wii fit!

My husband was impressed with how out of balance he was, and since using it, has come back into line. It has helped me quite a bit, as I have vestibular issues. I am very dependant on my eyes or line of sight for balance, and this has helped me switch back over to allowing my body to do this more naturally.

I love the regular game for wii as well, but once you unlock the balance games you will have a blast, and be exercising without really stressing about it.

I vote yes. get one. :cool:

I JUST got one this week, going to set up today so I will let you know further down the road. I've also heard that this was being used in Senior centers & Rehabs, so I got this for both Mom & Me.
She has Alzheimers, Schizophrenia, & Dementia w/Parkinson LIKE symptoms..??? I'm still recovering from multiple injuries.....I got the wii, plus the wii Fit. I just hope she can manage. ALL she does is shuffle around ALL day. Her range of motion has got to be shot.

This was a Huge investment for me personally, I had to purchase online for $500.00.......But if it can help? I believe so.....I will let you know.

I love the WiiFit. I can't do any of the exercises that ask for you to stand on one leg (insert falling to ground noise here), so I skip those. But between the balance games and the yoga exercises, my balance has improved a little.

My DH bought me a Wii for Christmas, but I was going through some major pain & fatigue that I asked him to return it and possibly get one further down the line. Well, he bought a new 40 in TV for my living room, so he wants to buy one now.

My Sister has the Wii fit and really likes it. I have another friend who used it alot for the first month and now she hardly uses it at all. I'm going to see my sister in NC in April, so will try her Wii fit out.

With anything involving exercise, I think it's a mindset to keep it up. Good luck.

Ok, so Everyone says it's so easy to set up? I guess it was but it took me a LONG time to figure out that I had to stand much further back from tv to get it to work..duhhhhh.
But once I figured it out (2 hours of %#@!*) it was fun. I did get my mom to try it and she did ok. She was able to aim & press the button. Not very good at first but I think she will improve.
I must say that I can "feel" in my arms the little bit I did yesterday. My brain is having a major cramp trying out this eye, finger, connection but I like the challenge!

I just came back from Toys R Us with my my Wii and my Wii Fit. Now to figure out how to set it up. I'm determined to do this. I'm going to set it up in my family room where there's lots of room in case I lose my balance. I bought Jillian Michael's workout from Biggest Loser. In January when I had my last flare and was on steroids I put on 5 lbs and can't get it off.

Gardengrl I hope it doesn't take 2 hrs. I'm so excited right now. I usually don't treat myself but it's time for me and my Wii :D

Wow Thumper!! You are going to tackle Jillian's workout??? I'm impressed and do let us know how it is. She's an animal, but I really like her~ Hey, you will be one mean fighting machine!!! Good luck w/the Wii fit ladies and I am anxious to see how it goes.

Work out a little for me, will ya's????

It's a lot harder than I thought it would be and yes DM she is an animal. I'm determined though to keep it up. She kept saying, "finish strong" and I wanted to be a mean fighting machine to slap her in her Wii little butt :p

LOL!!! True! I love your avvy!

I am not a gamer. I used to play Ms PacMan and Tetris. :D

We still have a Super Nintendo.

My daughter got us a Wii and games for Christmas. The kids love it.

Then hubby and found a Wii Fit on same at BlockBuster..bought it.

I'm hooked. I LOVE IT!!

*monkey hoola hoops around the room...

May I ask....Should I or do I NEED to "get used" to using this thing Before I try the wii fit? I wanted to just jump right in but not sure, I have no experience with this stuff. :confused:

I actually got it for mom to trick her into exercising a bit. :DALL she does is tiny steps. (side effects of a med). It's taken me one month to get over the guilt of spending so much $$ on it & just yesterday set it up.
My Brains are not so good:o So go easy on the explaination:D

You can make up as many Wii people as you want.

Make a test person. Use that to play around with and get used to the controllers. Be sure to use the straps!! Keep them tight, but comfortable.

Some of the fit games don't use the board. Like the jogging. You can put the controller inyour pocket and jog in place. The puppy is really cute. :wink:

Have fun with it. :hug:

I started out with the balance games, since that was my weak point. Some of them are fun and some are hard for me to wrap the head around.

I also did increments. 5 minutes of exercise to begin with, then 10 a few weeks later, and so on. Now I'm up to about 30 mins.

Thanks for the advise, I think I will try it today...after I finish watching Montel on Oprah...Need a couple boxes of tissues here.....Maybe my courage will soar after listening...I feel the need to soar, to conquer something, Anything will suffice...

I still have my original Nintendo just to play the old Zelda games and Super Mario Brothers. :) I bought the Wii ski game and my advice is don't do it in your socks, I went head over heels on the black diamond slope :o

OH NO! Are you ok? :hug:

My grandson got that game last weekend as his "I'm a new big brother gift" lol.

I haven't tried it yet.

Places like GameStop and BlockBuster have good prices on used games. We do rent to try a game before buying.

I'm okay right now Curious. It just happened late last night so probably in a day or two I"ll feel it. I don't wear shoes in the house, another obsession, and thought I could do it in socks. Not a smart move. :o

We got one of those silicone covers for the board and the controlers. Have you seen those? Keeps them from being slippery.

No I haven't. I've seen lots of gizmos for it and you really could go crazy with it. I bought the tennis racket and golf club. I'll see if I can find that today while I'm out. But I did have fun. :D