As you can probably tell from my previous ramblings I’m a big fan of the Wii Fit. In it Nintento has creating a “game” that has some health benefits. I’m a big fan, but by no means am I a fanboy. There are plenty of ways in which Wii Fit is disappointing (the insistence on measuring BMI for one). I know a lot of people struggle with believing that it’s possible to burn significant calories with the Wii Fit so yesterday I decided to experiment a little with my workout. Whilst not that surprising I did discover that some exercises are much better than others…
Best Calorie Burning Exercises on Wii Fit
I’d like to start with the step aerobics, it’s a complete waste of time! I did 3 lots of the longer set and during the whole routine not once did my heart go above 45% of my maximum heart rate. In terms of calorie burning this is useless. Sure it’s fun but in terms of exercise it is pointless. I then moved on to the boxing. I prefer the 10 minute expert session and this had the ability to get my heart rate up to between 60%-70% of my maximum. This is a good fat burning zone. During the final 15 second blast I managed to get this up to 90% of my maximum. A second go on this boxing resulting in a fairly steady 70ish percent maximum heart rate.
After resting a while I decided to go for a run around the island. This takes me about 9 minutes and during that time I burnt 130 calories. In terms of heart rate this was my highest so far, a cool 75%. It’s no surprise that running works, and running on the spot isn’t that much different (Remember your trainers, you don’t want to hurt your knees) My final aerobic exercise to try was the hula. Now this was a turn up because I wasn’t expecting much from this. I tend to do the 3 minutes each way exercise even though it kills my hip. I’ve just booked an appointment with a chiropractor to get that sorted! Anyway the hula, my heart rate was a steady 80% during the whole exercise. I never thought that this was working me that hard but it obviously is! If you did 30 minutes of hula hoop a day you’ll be as fit as a fiddle in no time!
So in terms of the aerobic exercises on Wii Fit I discovered that in terms of calorie burning you’re best concentrating on the Hula, then the Running, Boxing is third and finally the step. In fact unless you’re the sort of fatty that can’t walk up stairs without panting then I’d avoid the step aerobics altogether, you’re just wasting your time.
OK but back to my diet, yesterday was another good day. Breakfast – cereal. Lunch, had a meeting so a chicken wrap. It was OK though because Mrs B had made a lovely healthy lentil soup for dinner so I knew I’d have calories to spare. I finished the day with a cuppa and that was about it.
1 x bowl of rice crispies – 210 cals
1 x chicken wrap – 500 cals
1 x bowl of lentil soup with bread – 600 cals
1 x cup of tea – 35 cals
Total calorie intake was a measly 1345 calories.
My exercise was messed around a bit by playing with the Wii Fit. Still overall I managed to burn just over 480 calories doing my routine above. Adding that onto my 2100 daily allowing and I burnt 2580 calories yesterday. Overall that’s a 1235 calorie deficit for the day and yet another step towards losing that Christmas podge. My fitness levels are really starting to come back now, once I get my back sorted out I’ll be on fire.
Non Diet Posts
