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Happy holidays to all, and to one of you, a Wii and Wii Fit

Thank you so very much to everyone who submitted entries to my Wii/Wii Fit giveaway.

I haven’t commented on any of them, but I’ve read them all – posts, comments, emails – at least twice.  I’ve been absorbed by your stories and been touched by your struggles.  I wish I had a dozen Wii/Wii Fit combos to give away.

Wii Fit is a ton o’ fun, even more than I expected it to be.  Several people commented on how a Wii/Wii Fit would make exercising more enjoyable, giving them the confidence to keep it up.

Denise got a chance to play at Aimee’s party (check out her Tree Pose!) and was hooked:

“I want to get past the awkwardness I felt that night and build balance, improve my posture, and get Fit, Wii Fit. They are so cool.”

Like so many of us, PsychMamma just wants to WANT to work out:

“My hope is that it would actually make it FUN to exercise and that I would WANT to do it.  And, maybe I won’t fall down when I try to do yoga.”

Lindsey is inspired by how Wii Fit tracks progress – something I personally love about it too:

“Really, everything about this program impresses me – the fact that it keeps track, keeps you accountable, and even has games so that it stays fresh and fun – I know I would LOVE this!”

I identified closely with the mothers who work outside the home and hate to give up time with their children to spend it exercising.  As JABMom said in her comment:

“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.”

Caryn said the same in her post:

“The only feasible way to get moving is to do it at home when my son goes to sleep.”

Multiply the working mom schedule by a Lupus diagnosis, and you’ve got Jodifur’s story:

“…with all the doctors appointments and tests and whatnot I cannot seem to fit the gym into my already jam packed schedule of mommy, attorney, wife, and now patient.”

Lots of readers remarked on how they’ve become someone they don’t recognize, and it pains them.  Yeah, me too.  And her too.  And all of them too.

Until we find a fountain of youth (and a mute button for our kids, and sometimes ourselves), we’ll never get our old selves back entirely, but feeling good about the selves we’ve got now would go a long way.

Bridget is blogging her weight loss, helped by a fantastic sense of humor:

“I am working at losing 100 pounds – a VERY BIG GOAL. And, I’m blogging about it, despite the very slow progress of my early success. It’s the perfect combination for a contest like this one.  Maybe I can one day land one of those testimonial ad spots – I could be the Subway Jared of the Wii Fit – “I lost 100 pounds using my Wii Fit!” Wouldn’t that be something…”

Heather H had gastric bypass surgery and is determined to keep the weight off:

“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.”

Stimey was a dedicated exerciser for many years:

“I have steadily gained weight since Quinn was born. I hate it. I hate seeing it happen to me because it’s not who I am. I am not supposed to be this overweight.”

And Dawn’s weight has yo-yo’d, adding to her frustration:

“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.”

The weather was a common theme in many pleas.  Cait painted a hilarious picture of sweatin’ to the oldies in her comment, explaining:

“I live and go to school in Orono, Maine & it’s either bloody cold outside 3/4th of the time or horribly buggy when I am living here…I am what one would call a fat skinny, I am tall and lanky, but I have no muscle tone what so ever.”

Before anyone throws rotten tomatoes at Cait for admitting she’s skinny, remember that “skinny” doesn’t necessarily equal “healthy”.  Fitness isn’t just about wearing low-rise jeans; it’s about living well, as other entrants reminded me.

Gretchen is on the brink of full-blown diabetes:

“I was 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 desperately 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.”

Jenn doesn’t have a health condition, but she recognizes that her lifestyle is not what it could be:

“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.”

One of the great things about Wii Fit is how well it accommodates physical limitations, such as injuries and pregnancy.  Being susceptible to shin splints and stress fractures myself, as well as having been pregnant three times, I can truly appreciate the need for a modified exercise routine.

NGS injured herself biking (something I worry about myself):

“I broke my hand about a month ago when I fell off my bike while commuting to work…the broken hand basically got me off my fitness routine.”

Gloria’s grandmother broke her ankle:

“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.”

Both Margaret and Chickia are pregnant.  As Margaret admits:

“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.”

And Chickia wants her husband to get in on the act:

“I’m pregnant and looking for a variety of low-impact things I can do to keep in some sort of shape. 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…”

Megan suffered a miscarriage recently – a painful event at any time, but especially so given her conception struggles:

“I would love to have a Wii so I can work out all of my frustrations in private, where I can break down and cry without freaking people out in the gym.  I would love to focus on getting back in shape and having a goal to look towards.  I think it would also help my family, as we’re all trying to come together after this horrible event.”

Which brings me to the final point that so many people highlighted – their desire to spend time as a family doing something fun and fitness-oriented.  That’s what Wii and Wii Fit are all about.

Angie and her husband used to take long walks together, both a coping mechanism and a wonderful metaphor for the recent job struggles they endured:

“It could never replace our walks, but it would be an awesome way to get all four of us together…making new memories…while we hula hoop away our stress and teach the kids how important fitness is.”

Littlemonster and Monster were accomplished dancers, which strengthened their bodies and their relationship:

“Like with dancing, I know in my heart that Wii Fit will give us activities that Monster and I can do together, that we will love to do together, that we will love growing closer together as we do them.”

Debbie sees the Wii and Wii Fit as a way to promote family fitness and togetherness:

“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 can vouch for the family togetherness.  Even though most activities are for one person at a time, I’ve found that a sure-fire way to cheer up teary children is to put on the soccer ball game and let them laugh at me as I get hit in the head with shoes and pandas.

I loved everything that all of you wrote.  I was honored that you took the time to write, and I was humbled by your honesty regarding the struggles you face.

But it was Pando’s post that I couldn’t get out of my head.  She was the first one to post, and she set the bar high.

She’s a long-time gamer and a dedicated Nintendo fan:

“I’m the girl who used to steal quarters from under the couch cushions and sneak out to play Street Fighter in the arcade at the local convenience store with all the gamer boys when I was eleven. I grew up with a Nintendo controller firmly in hand. Hell, I even have a Nintendo purse.”

Okay, Pando.  I can respect that you’re a fangirl.  But even so, when you’re ready to upgrade your handbag, we can help.

Her man’s a fan too:

“The Guy is a gamer too, so when we moved in together I was in heaven.  New games! New systems! He had an X-box, and knew how to use it, which was very much a point in his favor, I might add.”

He had an X-box, and knew how to use it.  If only all men were so familiar with the equipment needed to please women.  That would be heavenly indeed.

Of course, the two of them wanted a Wii.  But from the very start, they were tough to find and a little pricey:

“But Wii’s were never in stock, anywhere so we never did choose to hunt one down and pay more than we could afford for it. Sigh. We made the wrong choice.”

I know what she means.  When I played Boogie at BlogHer07, I thought, “Hey, this is kinda cool.”  Did I go out and buy a system right then as I was tempted to do?  Nooo-ooooo.  Instead, I spent the next 18 months listening to Kyle whine: “I want a Wiii-iiiii…”

Like other entrants, Pando has health problems:

“You probably know already that I’m sick. And, while I don’t want to play the “I have a chronic illness so give me stuff or I’ll die” card, my illness does factor in to my ability to exercise outside of my home. I need, desperately, to move. To get myself in shape so that I can handle this better, physically and mentally. But even going for walks is a lot for me, because of the fickle nature of my issues. I’m, frankly, terrified of being struck with symptoms while far away from home. And not being able to walk back.  Add to that, the fear of being stuck somewhere with my five-year-old and I rarely even try anymore.”

She has chronic pancreatitis.  Three weeks ago, I wouldn’t have know what that was.  But since my father just spent two weeks in the hospital with acute pancreatitis, I’ve got a deep appreciation for the pain she endures.  Let’s just say that we won’t find my dad and Pando doing tequila shooters over a plate of enchiladas anytime soon.

And like other entrants, she sees a Wii and Wii Fit as a way to bring the family together:

“We are all gamers, and we just need a game that can bring us together. We need something we can do as a family,  and this system seems to be doing that, incredibly well, for everyone we know who owns one.”

It’s true.  I wouldn’t have believed it myself, but our whole family plays.  And we like watching each other play.  The Wii really is a family gaming system.

Then I read this part of her post:

“You see, we went NDSHCSH shopping this weekend. And they had a Wii in stock(!) at Target!

And so I stood in the aisle, guarding the last one, for a  good twenty minutes while we talked about it.

“We can get one, but, that will be it for the holidays.” he tells me.

“I want that!” I shriek, like a little girl.

“It’s up to you” he says.

I waver.  I waffle. I ponder.  Because while I know that the three of us will get so much use, and I personally, stand to benefit immensely from this machine.

But, no. I can’t in good conscience, spend the money on that machine when I still have my two lost children to buy for. When I still need dental work, and glasses and a new computer. And bills. Oh, god, the bills.”

NDSHCSH shopping – naturally, I love that.  Lost children – my god, I can’t even imagine the pain.  Finding a Wii in stock – oh, the temptation!

But Pando walked away.  She considered her priorities – what she needed versus what she wanted – and determined that she could wait a while longer for her Wii.

Pando, you’ll have to wait another couple weeks.  But your Wii and Wii Fit will be on their way as soon as you send me an email with your mailing address.  (mothergoosemouse AT gmail DOT com)

Everyone else, I wish I could give you a Wii and Wii Fit too.  So many wonderful homes out there where they would get such love and attention.  But I hope you will congratulate Pando and read her post.  She deserves this.

While Jeff Probst would say, “I got nothin’ for ya,” I do have something.  A little video enticement to demonstrate just how damn much fun a Wii and Wii Fit can be, both for the child and for the parents watching her:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuvdDPNq2pE[/youtube]

Published by mothergoosemouse on December 15th, 2008 tagged Look at me, look at me!, Miss Mousie, Who me?