Mutterings for the Minority An insight into the world of DDWT

Getting fit with Wii Fit Plus?

Getting fit with Wii Fit Plus? Well that's exactly what Mrs T is trying to do or rather is hoping it will kickstart her to do

Today has been the first proper chance that we've had to give the Wii Fit Plus and it's associated balance board a really good workout - ourselves included of course! In fact we were reliably informed by Wii Fit that it had been 16 days since we last erm, ahem, did any 'fitness' work. I must say though that during these 16 days we also managed to lose a 1lb each - well according to the Wii we had anyway.

As for the "game" itself, well as novice Wii users we aren't able to compare the Wii Fit Plus to the original Wii Fit - except to say that the cover box blurb gleefully boasts six additional exercises to the original.

Personally we were more sold by the fact that you can setup your own specialised workout, so you can completely customise your fitness program however you want.

You can also choose from aerobic and muscle exercises, yoga, balance games - heading, ski jump, ski slalom, tightrope, irritating maze, penguin game, snowboarding, meditation - and Training Plus. As you can imagine with that lot, we were knackered just reading the instructions!

Joking aside though it was great fun - even our 5 year old had a go - and it did in all fairness get the heart pumping and lungs blowing. So it got a big thumbs up from Mrs T whom is now more than happy with her new trainer partner. So if you want to have some family fun and get fit ('ish) at the same time - get yourself a Wii Fit Plus with Balance Board.

On a final note, the hula hoop exercise had me in hysterics as all I could see in front of me was a gyrating bottom - moving with great rhythym it must be said - and strains of "I see you baby...shakin' that ass" in my head

Back to the Workplace 2010

No it's not the start of a new trilogy of films from Robert Zemeckis, its that god awful fact that I had to go back to work today after all of the festive fun and feeding.

Still it wasn't all doom and gloom as the mid-morning snow storm (slight exaggeration) had the ladies in the office all of a 'tizz about the thought of dashing off home - it was quite a funny sight/background noise actually

I must also give a mention to Swansea Council whose coverage of the school closures (due to the snow storm *ahem*) on twitter was excellent - to the point that I knew DDWT Junior's school was closed before the school contacted us! It's also a great example of how major organisations could and should embrace social networking.

In fact (quite surprisingly perhaps?) there was quite a bit of positive energy kicking around the office. Even my old mate Augustus Gloop (aka Victor Lesbos) got in on the act, revealing his "Fit4" plans for the coming year - soon to be published via posterous.com - so watch this space for further details. I'm glad for him though, as I know it'll make him feel so much better in himself and perhaps most importantly his family too.

Talking of energy, I used my lunchtime break as an excuse to kick start my 2010 training programme with a 5 mile run along the beach at Swansea Bay. Despite it being rather breezy I was happy with my 42m 13s stint and was a decent start to the year.

Twang goes my plan?

As I lay here on my living room floor - the reason why I'll explain in a minute - it's occurred to me that in just 5 days time I'll be doing the Swansea Bay 10K. It only seems like the other week that I sent off my entry form.

Yes and why am I in my underpants on the living room floor, well it's because I have a slight hamstring pull in my left leg and I've got an ice pack on it. My timing is impeccable isn't it!

Today's easy run of 30 minutes 16 seconds was meant to be part of my pre-10k build up, taking it easy during the last few days and just keeping things ticking over really. Aggravating an old injury really wasn't in the grand plan.

Fingers crossed the ice pack will do the trick and after a good night's rest - i.e. no kiddie inspired 5am wake up call - I'll feel right as rein and ready to go about my business as normal.

Reebok Premier Road Plus KFS V Trainers

Yes these are the new running shoes I've bought and which duly arrived today.

My old trainers (running shoes?) - New Balance something or other - had began to fray and wear near the upper heal part. This made wearing them rather uncomfortable!

So I was in the market for a new running shoe that would cater for a overpronator like me. With this is mind I had to have a shoe that would offer me stability and support.

After doing some digging around on the web I headed off to M and M Direct whom stocked the Reebok Premier Road Plus KFS V trainers - in size 12!

[EDIT] M and M Direct no longer have them in stock, but they are in stock on the Reebok running website.

I was pleasantly surprised to see that they were down to £39.13 from the RRP of £64.99, as a result I didn't need to think twice about ordering them.

Having now tried them on and gone for a light jog I can honestly say that they are not only extremely comfortable, but also offer the stability/support I needed (especially in my right leg).

I never cease to be amazed how a trainer can be so comfy - like wearing slippers in fact - and yet still feel sturdy regardless of the running terrain.

Anyway, suffice to say that the Reebok Premier Road Plus KFS V trainers get a big thumbs up from me!