I got something for your mind, your body, and your soul
Because competition is good for the soul. Well, it’s good for my soul, anyway.
It’s been the Wii Fit Olympics around here ever since the lovely ladies from Nintendo breezed in Friday night They got the party started with three TVs, three Wii’s, and a ton of my favorite foods (Mediterranean) and drinks (smoothies and Sangria).
And then they made me the coolest chick in town when they handed out the greatest parting gifts ever (outside of an Oscar night party): a Wii Fit, a yoga mat, and a snazzy yoga outfit for each guest.
(A quick PSA: If someone invites you to a Wii Fit party and promises that you won’t have to buy a damn thing and even hints that you might leave with something really cool, GO. I mean, do I look like I sell Amway or peddle time shares?)
I’m not much for gaming – or at least I wasn’t until I got my Wii on at BlogHer08 with Mrs. Flinger and Moosh in Indy (damn, that Casey can rock the hula hoop). I’d played Wii Boogie at the Imperfect Parent party at BlogHer07, and while it was fun, I wasn’t ready to run right out and buy a Wii.
If only I’d bought one back then. Who knew how freaking hard it would become to find Wii’s?
By the time I really wanted one – even before BlogHer08 – I couldn’t find one to save my life, unless I wanted to start hanging out at the Target and Best Buy loading docks at all hours of the day and night. Not advisable, even out here in suburbia.
So I figured I could be patient and wait until supply started to catch up with demand. After all, I wait for shoes to go on sale and for movies to come to cable. I could wait for a Wii.
But now that I’ve had 48 hours to explore the ins and outs of Wii Fit, I’m not just a Wii Enthusiast. I’m a Wii EVANGELIST.
Before you jump to conclusions about how Wii Fit is for athletes (or people like me who pretend well), let me start with the number one reason why I dig this system: It totally levels the playing field. Everyone will find something that they can do well, and those who think they do everything well (cough…KYLE…cough) will discover that they could use a little improvement in some areas.
Want examples? Tacy’s currently got the high score in our household for Hula Hoop. She can also do Tree Pose like a yogini. Kyle, who can barely touch his toes, earned four stars for his Sun Salutations. And I’m the record holder in Ski Jump, even though I can’t do much more than snowplow down a blue slope.
Another really cool thing about Wii Fit is how it draws in kids. Almost all of my guests brought along their kiddos, and they all tried at least one activity. Both Tacy and CJ insisted that we create Mii’s for them on our new system (oh yeah, I got one too), and they nag us for a turn on the board too.
Finally, I love how Wii Fit makes exercising fun. Fun is why I ride my bike on the trail and swim laps, but calisthenics – push ups, lunges, and the like – are a big yawn. Even step aerobics and yoga were short-lived interests. And hula-hooping? You’ve got to be joking.
But when you put these activities in a format that keeps track of performance and encourages friendly competition, then it’s a whole different story. Now I’ve got an incentive beyond the intangibles of health and wellness; I intend to hold the top spot in our household in every single activity, dammit.
Which brings me back to competition and the giveaway I’ve been hinting about. I’ve got a Wii and Wii Fit to give away!
I love doing giveaways, especially with awesome prizes. I get to notify lucky winners all the time at Cool Mom Picks and Parent Bloggers Network, but those winners are always drawn at random. I’m going to do it differently here.
I want to hear from people who are enthusiastic about exercise, in whatever form it takes for you (besides 12 oz. curls). Which Wii Fit activities sound fun to you? How will a Wii Fit get you up off the sofa in a way that your gym membership or your aging treadmill haven’t? Or if you’re already quite active, how will a Wii Fit complement your routine?
Basically, I want to know that this Wii and Wii Fit are going to a good home. A home where they will get lots of enthusiastic attention.
Write a post answering the questions I posed above. Convince me that yours is the best home for this Wii and Wii Fit. Email me the link to your post. If you don’t have a blog, email your response to me (and specify whether or not I can excerpt quotes from it here on my site, should you win).
Yes, it’s more work than leaving a comment or sending an email entry, but getting fit and staying that way require work too. But if you’re really enthusiastic about having a Wii and Wii Fit of your own, then writing this post should be fun.
Posts may be published anytime between midnight PST on Monday, December 8 and 11:59pm PST on Saturday, December 13. I will take Sunday, December 14 to read them, and I will announce the winner in a post here on Monday, December 15, including links to all of the posts that were submitted and excerpts from the winning post.*
Want to weigh the odds in your favor? Post early and in great detail. Remember, it’s all about enthusiasm.
*One caveat: I cannot award the Wii and Wii Fit to a relative. So if you want to win, now’s not a good time to claim me as your long lost cousin.
December 8th, 2008 at 6:54 am
[...] when I checked my feed reader, and saw this post, it seemed almost like fate. You see, we went NDSHCSH shopping this weekend. And they had a Wii [...]
December 8th, 2008 at 7:51 am
I’m one of the many lurkers that will probably come out of the woodwork to enter this. (Hi! Nice to “meet” you.) Here is my entry:
Pandos last blog post..Begging for Free Stuff (Or: Why I deserve a Wii Fit!)
December 8th, 2008 at 8:51 am
WII and WII Fit would be a “god send” for me.
I had weight loss surgery in August and am really trying to exercise regularly. I have looked into buying WII and WII FIT on several occasions but can not afford it at this time. I have thought about asking for $ toward it for Christmas but I thought that might be wrong to ask for from my family.
I love challenges and keeping track of them. I am part of a website called SparkPeople and they have additional challenges for WII FIT owners on it.
Please consider me for this – this is something I really really want but am not sure I will be ever able to afford it.
BTW – I have lost 66 lbs since the end of August – but I really need to tone my body and working out really helps me with this.
Thank you for offering this to everyone.
Heather
December 8th, 2008 at 9:13 am
We have Wii Fit and watching my 5 year old do yoga positions cracks my ass up every. single. time.
Seconding everything Julie said above — it’s so much more motivating and fun than workout DVDs, etc.
prescotts last blog post..The IP Bookshelf
December 8th, 2008 at 9:21 am
We are having so much fun with ours — Jo is the sun salutation champ in our house. Never mind that I am the one who has been practicing yoga since before she was born…
mayberrys last blog post..Scrabble-icious
December 8th, 2008 at 9:27 am
Hi! I REALLY REALLY REALLY want a Wii fit! I’m hoping to get one for x-mas but realistically? not gonna happen. I used to go to the gym, but the membership $$$ became too much of a drag, and it just doesn’t fit into the busy work/home schedule. I like to work out, I feel better when I do, but I always do better when it’s an activity not just mindless crunches. It’s also always much more fun as a group activity and in our house? anything on TV automatically gets more attention!
Currently I do yoga with the DVD player, and ride the bike or rollerblade with the dog. But now that it’s getting dark so early I can’t do that when I get home from work so I’m feeling all the momentum I built up over the summer fade away.
2 more things: 1)- I’m pregnant and looking for a variety of low-impact things I can do to keep in some sort of shape. 2) My husband loves games and isn’t against physical activity (goes biking with me & dog) but never ever ever will work out unless it’s tied to a fun activity. I’m pretty sure he’ll love the Wii with me, and believe me he needs to spend more time away from the computer!
December 8th, 2008 at 10:07 am
Ok, so no house Elf. Alright fine.
My whole house adores the Wii Fit. I laughed at my daughter just the other day, because she was like, I gained a whole pound, all proud of herself. (My kids are like 9th percentile for weight. Well the girls are at least.) When I’m like, oh hey, I lost a whole pound. It is fun though. Since we have one already, I’ll leave it to those who don’t. But I will spread the news, because I know some people trying to win one.
Issas last blog post..You know what you get….
December 8th, 2008 at 10:34 am
well, I didn’t know about your contest before I wrote my post that published today, but I would like to submit it anyway.
http://eatplaylove.blogspot.com/2008/12/all-i-want-for-christmas-is-nice-new.html
Denise @ EatPlayLoves last blog post..Happily Breaking Some Rules
December 8th, 2008 at 11:35 am
I’m not a relative, I’m pudgy, and I’m fifty. (Ah, okay, I’m 51.) I was going to the gym every morning at 4:30, but I just can’t make myself do it anymore. It was 7 degrees here this morning in frosty cold Chicago. I can no more get my fat butt up than I can stop eating chocolate for the rest of my life!
I really do like working out, but I just can’t find the time to do it now. I can’t get up early anymore, and after work is taken up with dinner, homework, laundry, and all sorts of other things.
I would also love a Wii and Wii fit because my whole family could get in shape. My 13-year-old son wants to start to get in shape, and my husband stopped smoking a few years ago and gained a few pounds. I’m so proud of him, but he’s unhappy with the extra weight. A Wii fit would help us all!
I’d like to try some yoga poses, but I really want to do the boxing and skiing activities. It all looks fun, though.
I love your blog. I really love how thoughtful you are about everything: your kids, politics, your health. Thanks for that, even if I don’t win! (Yes, you can excerpt from this.)
December 8th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
I’m just glad someone recognized the mad hula skills I possess.
moosh in indy.s last blog post..tinkerpooped.
December 8th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
:: drools :: I still have that picture of you that you FORCED me to not post. SO that should totally count in my favor. I’ll post the answer to this question and I can tell you I’m already so f’in enthusiastic about it I peed a little.
Ok, fine, that last part was a stretch but I AM EXCITED BABY.
Also, you’re hot doing the hula. (Flatter! YES! I have no shame.)
Mrs. Flingers last blog post..When did your child question Santa?
December 8th, 2008 at 12:25 pm
I live and go to school in Orono, Maine & its either bloody cold outside 3/4th of the time or horribly buggy when I am living here.. I other wise reside in ct. so working out, outside is not really my piece of cake besides skiing but I can only do that every other weekend. I have a membership to the schools gym but it closes before I get out of my classes and… lets just say getting up earlier than 6 to work out is not my idea of fun either. So I work out in my apartment using my moms old work out videos, the ones from before I was born, watching women in brightly colored spandex and listening to “rock the boat” for 45 minutes, and for using those for 3 months I don’t believe I have can see a difference… I have tried the wii fit at my sisters house and one of my friends has it as well, I love it!.. the wii will get lots of love and attention, what college student doesn’t love video games? I am what one would call a fat skinny, I am tall and lanky, but I have no muscle tone what so ever, and well I would like to change that! Well thank you for the chance, and if I don’t get it, I hope the people that do enjoy it!
PS. you would totally make my Christmas.
PPS. this is my first comment on your blog!
December 8th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
Hurray for fun contests! I am so excited.
December 8th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
Well…. I am a mother of a 3 year old. Right after giving birth (well, not right after) I started working on getting back in shape. I was doing TurboKick at 24 hour fitness and also doing the TurboJam videos at home. When my husband lost his job I lost my gym membership! After that I just kind of fell off track. I have gained 15 pounds now and have started trying those Turbo tapes again but they just aren’t as fun when I can’t mix them with the live workout. I think the Wii fit would be perfect for me! Get me off of my arse and DO something about my inner thigh fat that is slowly making it’s way back into my life….. psshhhhh inner thigh fat… who am I kidding!? It’s all over fat!!! LOL
December 8th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
I can’t wait to get my Wii Fit for Christmas (my mom laughed at me when I brought it for myself, but I had good reason – it was HARD to find. And I saved husband $50 that he was going to pay to buy it online).
How does one get a Wii party?
margarets last blog post..What a weekend!
December 8th, 2008 at 5:21 pm
Hi, I wanted to leave a message about what a Wii could do for us. My family of 5 have a Wii already we LOVE IT!! What I think that we could really use this for is my grandmother. She broke her ankle in August, for rehabilitation she ended up in the local nursing home where she could get the care she needed. While she was there they had a WII that she could exercise with. She has thankfully since been sent home. She went to the Dr for a evaluation today at which they told her she was gaining to much weight. In her circumstances right now she is not able to get out and exercise and I know that it would mean so much to her to be able to do this in the privacy of her own home and at her own pace. It would mean the world to her to be able to get the strength back that she once had.
December 8th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
OK, here’s the deal. I am 37 1/2 weeks pregnant. I have gained (cough cough) pounds so far – significantly more than I should have. I need something fun and different for after my son gets here to get me off my butt and exercising. I need somthing.
I know I won’t go to the gym. I just know me. I have a few exercise DVDs, but who am I kidding? those get old, quick. A Wii Fit is perfect….
Margarets last blog post..Guess What??
December 8th, 2008 at 9:14 pm
[...] trying to win a Wii Fit here and here and HERE! You can too. How would it change my life? My hope is that it would actually make it FUN to [...]
December 8th, 2008 at 9:25 pm
I’m desperately trying to win a Wii and Wii Fit since it just doesn’t fit in our budget this year. When Issa told me about your blog and giveaway, I decided to give it a try. I think it’s great that you’re not randomly choosing a winner, but I imagine your job won’t be an easy one. Yikes! Everybody wants one of these things and has great reasons.
Part of me is humbled and thinks “Why should I win more than someone else?” but the other part of me says, “Pick me! Pick me!”
Kudos to you for taking the time to read through all these wishes and needs to find just the right home for that cute little Wii!
Thanks for the chance to enter! Here’s my blog post URL:
http://psychmamma.wordpress.com/2008/12/08/the-get-fit-plan/
PsychMammas last blog post..The Get Fit Plan
December 8th, 2008 at 9:31 pm
Okay, sorry – Wordpress went all wonky on me. Here’s the link for the post:
http://psychmamma.wordpress.com/2008/12/04/the-get-fit-plan/
Hopefully that one works.
PsychMammas last blog post..The Get Fit Plan
December 8th, 2008 at 10:15 pm
I broke my hand about a month ago when I fell off my bike while commuting to work. I was exercising and saving the Earth all at the same time when I was brutally punished by this fall.
Anyway, the broken hand basically got me off my fitness routine. Until then, I had been riding the bike, running (go Couch to 5K!), and lifting weights pretty much every day of the week. Even though my hand is healing well, I’m scared to go outside now because of the snow and the winter.
Now I am noticing that my belly is getting flabby, my calves aren’t as shaped as they once were, and I’m a-scared to do anything that might hurt my poor recovering hand.
So the Wii fit is awesome because there are fun cardio things I can do that won’t put undo stress on my healing fracture like the step stuff and the hula hoop.
That’s it. The plea from the girl who got hurt exercising and needs some exercise that won’t re-injure her!!!
NGSs last blog post..45 x 365 #39
December 9th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Here’s my entry
http://jodifur.blogspot.com/2008/12/i-think-i-am-so-clever.html
jodifurs last blog post..I Think I Am So Clever
December 9th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
I can’t really bring myself to post on my blog about this right now, but I’ll be emailing you my story. You’ll understand when you read it. Thanks for running such a great contest!
Megs last blog post..Afterthoughts
December 9th, 2008 at 10:27 pm
[...] an email convincing her that yours is the best home for the bundle. You can get the full details here. This contest runs through [...]
December 10th, 2008 at 1:34 am
Hello,
The Wii would be a great asset in our home!
My husband and I have been struggling with our weight for many years and it’s time for a change. We want to be positive role models to our daughter in every aspect of our lives and eating healthy and being active is what we need to incorporate more in our daily routine. We want to be around for her for a long time and we don’t want our sedentary bodies/lifestyles to rob her of long life with her parents.
I usually use work out videos when I do work out and my hubby usually walks, but we need more excitement! We have a 2.5 year old and every time I workout using one of the videos, she workouts with me and she loves it, but I’m sure she (we) would love this even more!
I would like for us to work out as a family in the comfort of our home and have fun doing it!
December 10th, 2008 at 6:00 am
If we win we’ll have some real fun with this item.
Ronas last blog post..Wordless Wednesday – December 10
December 10th, 2008 at 10:30 am
O M G
Ok, first off, the Wii itself would be BEYOND HEAVEN according to my kids.
The Wii Fit would be that for me. I’d lost 84 lbs prior to having my 3rd child – and now have gained it all back. Living in the great snowy north, it’s not at all possible to get out to get any exercise and so no matter how much better I eat, I still don’t lose
I need help. BADLY.
Dawn @ Coming to a Nursery Near Yous last blog post..Asking for help
December 10th, 2008 at 10:55 am
I posted mine here: http://stimeyland.blogspot.com/2008/12/i-need-to-get-my-groove-back.html
My whole family would love this.
Stimeys last blog post..I Need to Get My Groove Back
December 10th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
I don’t know if the Wii would be a great asset to my home but it would be nice to see what it entails. I have heard so much about it.
I will not say that I am an exercise feen or overweight or anything like that at all. However about a month ago one of my co-workers quit smoking and she started doing 8 flights of stairs 3 times twice a day in order not to gain weight. I jumped on that plan with her. We would do this at 10:00am and at 3:30pm. It is my only form of exercise besides chasing after my two girls.
It is something I look forward to doing on a daily basis. It has got me into working out those muscles I forgot I had.
December 10th, 2008 at 8:27 pm
OH I would love to win this giveaway. I awas diagnosed with pre-diabetes and have 60-70# to lose. I don’t want to go into full diabetes so have taken some minor steps to get away from it but feel that if I win this it will give me the motivation I despirately need. I am a 40yo mom of 3 kids and a new grandbaby and don’t want to miss out on all the fun still yet to come.
I also need this because in 1998 I had lower back surgery for a hurniated and ruptured disks. I have neglected my back for the last 10 years and am now paying for that lack of motivation.
I hope I will win this awesome give away.
Gretchens last blog post..Luna Luxuries Rosebud Panty Liner 6pk
December 10th, 2008 at 8:45 pm
My husband was unemployed for 5 months, and instead of moping around, we decided to use that time to start walking together…Now that he is back to work, we aren’t able to do our daily walk…and I miss our time together…..You can read the rest of my post here: http://lovemysandalsanddaisies.blogspot.com/2008/12/things-happen-for-reason.html
Thank you for the chance to win this and reading my story! This is such a generous giveaway..and it is exciting to imagine winning it!
~Angie
December 11th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
I do not have the exercise routine I had seven years ago, I have something much better-three beautiful boys that I decided to have one my own late in my 30’s. I exercise whenever I can and keeping up with three boys is a workout in itself. But I cannot stand to be away from them unless I have to be and for me that is only when I am at work. Winning the Wii and Wii Fit would give me a real shot at getting rid of the tears and shaking I have when I look in the full length mirror and it would let my boys have fun with me while I am doing it.
I can only hope this honest plea is enough. Thank you.
December 12th, 2008 at 9:37 pm
Yikes!!! I can’t believe you’re giving away a Wii/Wii Fit! : )
I just blogged!!!
http://rockinmama.net/gettin-wii-fit-in-the-new-year
I’ve been trying to bribe my husband for months…since we tried it out at BlogHer!
Caryn Baileys last blog post..Gettin’ (Wii) Fit in the New Year
December 13th, 2008 at 7:43 pm
Hi Julie, I posted my response on: http://monstertalks.blogspot.com . Thanks for holding this contest!
Littlemonsters last blog post..What a Wii/Wii Fit means to me
December 13th, 2008 at 10:35 pm
Hopefully this isn’t too late! Even if it is, I’ll enjoy reading the other posts… thanks for the opportunity to win!
Here’s my post:
http://kindredthought.blogspot.com/2008/12/getting-fit-what-wii-fit-means-to-mii.html
April 20th, 2009 at 9:25 pm
[...] Thank you so very much to everyone who submitted entries to my Wii/Wii Fit giveaway. [...]
April 20th, 2009 at 9:30 pm
[...] and if you want to win a Wii Fit, you gotta work for [...]