Intend to get less unfit with a wii fit package but don't know what I need to buy - please help!

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Don't have any illusions about actually getting FIT - just less likely to DIE through TOTAL lack of exercise is my aim. Have decided that a wii might help as a) I don't have to go into the cold b)don't have to waste 20 mins driving to gym c) Dd (9) will like it and will motivate my by doing it with me.
Only problem is that I know NOTHING about Wii or comupter consoles etc and have had a look on Amazon but am completely befuzzled by it... DO I need a balance board? How many controllers do I need? Please help!

There's a thread about wii fit on active convos at the moment, but my feeling is that I used the EA trainer package on the wii, and it was better. But I haven't tried the wii fit plus or anything..

The Wii itself is the console and comes with one controller - then you need to buy the 'wii fit' which comes with the balance board.
We've had the Wii for a while and the kids were bought 'wii fit plus' for christmas - it's fun, and there is a little moving about required but I don't think it's enough to really improve fitness.
For example, I've spent 30 mins each night this week doing the aerobic type exercises on it (jogging, cycling, step) and burnt 97 calories in that time. If I walked uphill or jogged on a treadmill for half that time I would burn more like 200.
I think you would be better off buying a (much cheaper) exerise DVD.

I agree with Moodlum. I have both the wii fit (which comes with the balance board) and the Wii Active.

Wii active is much much better.

So if I were you I'd buy a wii console and wii active. Then if you find you and your dd get on with it you might want to get another controller later on.

I read a review of these things recently, where they were tried by families. At the end of the trial, the chidlren showed small improvements in fitness, the adults none.

I guess it depends how you use it.

Hmmmm interesting. My 'issue' is that at the moment I do NOTHING - 30 mins of any sort of exercise would be a wild improvement for me - however lame the exercise - and as I HATE exercise ( I really am only doing this so that I don't die young!!)I'm presuming that if it motvates me to do something then it will be better than the status quo.
I do have various exercise videos - I just don't do them....And the cost isn't a big deal - DH has a personal trainer session at £35 a go each week so it wouldn't take long to 'negate the cost' in comparison with his outlay! ( and that's before his spending on sports clothing...)
Maybe I should buy the Wii active and the ea trainer and forget the balance board thing for now????

good luck then!

have you tried housework and sex (probably uses more calories if not done simultaneously)???

I've just bought a Wii the other day actually as they had a special offer on the board with the Jillian Michaels fitness thing and I really respect her work given that she was a "Proper chubby" before slimming down!

I'm normally a gym girl but I'm pregnant and I'm feeling so shit I need to be able to stop exercising and sit on the sofa for a while...

Anyway, I bought the Wii console and the board/game which contained all the bits & bobs I need at this stage. Beware the bollocking board lies about your weight depending on the surface you put it down on. I went to bed with tears in my eyes thinking I'd put on 6kg in a week... proper scales the next morning of course revealed that was NOT true!

But tbh, if you just don't like exercise this isn't for you. You need to find an exercise you like. I used to hate exercise until I discovered some stuff that I was really good at - I prefer high-risk activities - so my next hobby will be rock climbing at our local indoor wall. Is it possible you can try out a few things to find out what works for you?

There's nothing more daft than rows upon rows of bored looking women sat on spinning machines at the gym who are clearly not enjoying themselves.

Have you considered joining a gym and doing some classes? Exercise is so much "easier" when someone else is calling the shots - probably why your dh uses a pt!

Nighbynight {shock]- Nope! - neither appeals in the slightest!!
Skihorse - you are absolutely right BUT I honestly don't think I am ever going to enjoy exercise, ( I'm 45- Ive tried quite a lot of things...)and if it wasn't fundamental to 'good health' I really wouldn't be bothering (this isn't at all about weight or toning) I live in a little village miles from the nearest gym - and dh isn't home till 7.30 ish plus. I have 2 young children ( 4 and 8)and I work as a teacher - so evening times are precious for work and my logic is that I could (at least in theory ??)pull in a bit of wii fit in the play room between tea and bedtime - which would otherwise be 'dead' time as I wouldn't be doing any school work whilst my youngest was still up... If dh got home earlier or there weren't young children needing babysitters then I would undoubtedly try other stuff. I did once try getting a small group together to go to Dh's personal trainer but hated it as she was Soooooooooo not into working with unsporty people like me and made me feel really stupid as all my freinds were fitter and better than me.
I'd possibly like cycling if it was flatter round here but we live on a hill (!)- plus there's the problem of it being dark by the time dh gets home for much of the year
I don't know - maybe I'm deluding myself...It seemed like the wii thing was worth a try?

I also have to fit exercise into the evening, but am lucky enough to be able to jog.
I do think about getting a running machine in the cellar though, but we havent really got space. Was running at -3 with snow on the ground recently, but had to stop when it got colder.

That's impressive nighbynight! DH does stuff like that - I only ever jog ( SLOWLY - for short distances...) strictly when it is daylight and the weather is nice. As soon as it's winter there is nowhere to go here that is lit (one street village) and I refuse to even consider pitch black fields. If I had room for a running machine and could watch trashy films at the same time that'd be perfect! We're currently thinking about moving house - I'll put it on the 'wish list'!!

oh goodness yes, I only ever do about 3km, at MY pace - I am fairly flabby really!
A friend has an exercise bike set up in front of the TV - it's on my wish list too, when we've got space.

I'm in a similar situation regarding living in village, have to drive in dark to get to gym and small kids in house/dh home late each night. Since Feb 2009 I have been making time on weekend mornings to go to the local council-run gym and mainly just walk/jog on the treadmills. Could you manage weekend mornings?
(Dh gave me a treadmill for Christmas so I can now walk/jog in the evenings too - and to be honest, although I haven't lost vast amounts of weight, the buzz that I get from a short jog really helps de-stress me which I find is my biggest motivator.)