Showing posts with label Fitness. Show all posts

WiiFit Cycling Tips & Cheats

My fitbit, which works really well any other time, does not record steps when I do the wiifit island cycling.

Wii Records - See everyone's best scores in different wiifit activities:

http://www.wii-records.com/en-us/records.php?game_id=955

A really blurry photo of my new bike

The last time I played I got a message congratulating me for unlocking the entire map.

So when I was done, I started a new game, just a basic one, and sure enough, this was the message at the start of the game.

"Secret Bike- The GPS on the bike has a built in grid-map of the island. It displays a map of the island, which is shown as a grid of squares. While all squares are darkened at the start, but if you visit a darkened square, it will be fully brightened. once you have visited a square, it is permanently lit. if you manage to bike to all the accessible squares, then the whole map will be lit up, and you will unlock a new bike. while it is not known whether the new bike handles better, it has a shinier look."

(IThere is nothing telling you how close you are, you have to just keep riding around until you unlock every part, THEN it will tell you. I've read that some of the sections can be hard to locate)

Press A, and the dog will run ahead and get the flag for you. (You can't be too far away from the flag though) To have cats appear, not just dogs, add a cat to your mii profiles on your wii menu. This can shave some distance off and help you get closer to 4 stars.

lift up the wii remote and pop a wheelie to go over curbs.

Press 2 to brake.

Maps of the islands, and if you want, maps with the flags numbered to show you which way to go to get the best score. (I've been trying different routes on my own for almost 3 years now, and still can't get over 3 stars!)
http://www.gameyum.com/wii-fit/111978-the-plus-island-cycling-map-guide-to-the-different-courses/
*I tried one of these and STILL only got 3 stars! But I did get my shortest distance yet.. so I'm getting closer.

There are "distance reduction techniques" to help get to 4 stars. They may be too much for my feeble mind to process while actually in the game, this will take some time - http://fitgameforum.com/wiki/index.php/Island_Cycling

For instance, the above site has this entire section on "death plummets". I'm so confused - I'll need to try them WHILE playing, and with one of my childen reading me the instructions. :-)

"I call this type of cheat a "Death Plummet Cheat". "Death" for obvious reasons, "Cheat" because everyone knows these are cheating, and "Plummet" for reasons that should be obvious to anyone who saw Gonzo the Great in the parachuting scene behind the credits of The Muppet Movie.

There is a way to predict where they can be found, which is derived from how they appear to me to work. This way of predicting their location also indicates why some of them are easy to execute, and some are not.

Basically, it appears that you can find them on any cliff where there is something non-cyclable far below, nearer to the bottom than the top, although the definition of "nearer" is not 100% clear. Call this thing the "target". If from the top you can plummet so that you free-fall not to the cyclable zone below, but to the target, and you then fall from there to the cyclable zone, you respawn below rather than above."

Where to find them

On the Mountain behind the castle above the highest green going counter clockwise jump off to hit the camel rock, it drops to the dry lake bed aiming at the flag,
Just before the tunnel going down stay left over the side and stay near the cliff, drops to the road outside the Ruins,
across from duck lake at the start of green jump off road toward large rock, it drops to the exit to the plateau from the tunnel with the metal ramp.
Across from the Dry Lake Bed tunnel jump off to the right of the fence - drops down to the "s" shaped ledge with ball.
In the field across from the ruins that if you go straight over the cliff after hitting the balloon, you reincarnate on the road (same level).

You can jump off the side of the Red Iron bridge - this youtube video shows you how:
http://youtu.be/-MHGB7ak9aQ (Essentially, just ride through the hole in the side - be careful not to land in the water.
* the first time I tried this, I couldn't do it, I just bounced off. The trick is to pop a wheelie. The second time, I went through too early and landed in the water. The 3rd time I tried it I landed it. :-)

If you bike into the town last, go to the fountain, then up the ramp and there will be a blue ramp that will launch you right to the finish line.

There is a hidden beach you can cycle on - but apparently it's very hard to get to?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43Ji5-sHVf4
*I've tried a couple of times, I always just land in the water.

In free ride, you do not die - this is a great time to try jumping off of everything. You can ride on the tops of the buildings - but it's tricky. Brake as soon as you land on top of the building. There are more tips for riding on top of the buildings here: http://www.fitgameforum.com/wii-fit-plus-island-cycling-easter-egg-spoiler-alert-t520-10.html

if you manage to pop all twenty balloons in free course within 30 minutes, then your time will be put on a secret scoreboard for the fastest time to pop them.

*************************************************************************************
This worked for me! Even with a few mistakes, and backtracking once, I got 4 stars and my shortest distance yet.

NOT written by me - found in a forum. How to go through the Expert course and get 4 stars:

From where you start:

#1: Go forward and get the one on the road right in front of you.

#2: Go toward the lighthouse, and it's behind the lighthouse.

#3: Go in among the windmills, one right in the middle of the them.

#4: Take road on the left--the road looks like pavement. There's a flag right under a very small tunnel.

#5: Keep on cycling on that road until you come around to the next flag.

#6: From where you got #5, take a left turn into the mountain peaks--you can go in between the 2 large peaks, keep on cycling around until you get to a ramp that leads upward into what looks like a very old temple. The flag is right in front of you when you go up the ramp. Take the same road back down to where you found flag #5.

#7: When you leave the area, take a left and head down through the man-made cave/tunnel. When you're through, you'll see the resort to your left, and the huge mountain is to your right. Keep on going down until you hit the beach. You can see a flag in front of you when you hit the beach.

#8: Keep on going along the beach, there's another one under a natural cave/tunnel (Camel Rock) that you'll hit.

#9: Go on past the previous flag and around the next plateau-ish rock on the beach is third and final flag on the beach.

#10: Go back along the path you just took and all of the way off the beach. As you are riding on the beach, for a long time, you should see a path leading up the mountain--it's a dirt/tan path. Go up this path, and you'll see one right there in front of you.

#11: From the previous flag, take a immediate right turn into a long cave/tunnel--on your map, you'll see the middle of the huge mountain (MaKa Wuhu) to your left, and it's shaped like a star/pentagon (If I remember correctly). Go into a circular sandy area and the flag in the middle.

#12: Take the same path out of the sandy area and you'll come out to flag #10's spot. From there, take a right, and follow the path. If I remember correctly, there's a flag right before you get onto the bridges.

#13: Go all the way through the bridges, and once you get off, take an immediate right. You should see the stone henge like construction before you take your right turn. There should be a flag on the green terrace. You'll see the road that you took after getting the flag among the windmills to the left. You'll end up there if you fall off the terrace, so don't do that.

#14: Now, there's a red ramp really close to a tunnel if you look to the right. I don't use the ramp to jump, instead I just ride with some decent speed and head right up the slope into the cave. The cave is a man-made cave, with a spiral steel ramp down it's middle. There's a flag at the bottom of the spiral steel ramp.
Turn left, there is nothing to your right.

#15: From this last flag, keep on going forward and you'll end up in a small clearing really at the same elevation as about where you started. You'll see a flag in front of you. To your right but way above your head should be the bridges, and the flag you actually see is behind the waterfall, or so.

#16: Keep on the path behind the waterfall and continue onward. You'll cross a small stone bridge inside this cave. Keep on going until you see the flag in the middle of this cave.

#17: From this previous flag, you'll see an obvious exit to this cave to the left and a not so obvious exit to the right. Just take the one on the left, as the one the right doesn't lead anywhere. You'll come out, and just keep on cycling until you get to the next flag on the edge of Duckling Lake (the lake that is the source for the waterfall).

#18: Keep on circling around Duckling Lake until you see a castle with purple roofs in front of you. You can either take a path that crosses through the courtyard of the castle or you can take a little bridge to the right of the castle to get to the other side of it. The road that runs behind the castle is a large loop. I don't know which side is closer to the castle--as to minimize distance (I haven't clocked it yet using the Free Ride Course). But there's a flag way on the other side of Maka Wuhu's (the large mountain) peak. You'll see it if you just keep on cycling around. If you go up on the left side behind the castle and come around to the right side as you come back down, there's no way you'll miss it.

I think that if you turn around once you get the flag and come back the way you came, it is shorter distance, but I'm not positive. I've also read that on the way to the castle you can stay to the left of the rock, following the edge of the lake, instead of on the path, and save a good bit of mileage.. but you have to be VERY careful not to fall into the lake.

#19: Once you're at the castle again, just cycling back along old routes until you're back down the mountain and through it so that you come out through the path under the waterfall. Come out and pass under the massive boulder/gate thing and turn left over that little stone bridge. Now make your way along that road to the large red bridge. There's a flag right on the big red bridge.

#20: Keep on going past the bridge and come into the city, there's a flag right in front of your eyes in the middle of the city.

Back to Start: From the flag in the middle of the city, take an immediate right up a ramp, then you'll be at the upper level of the city--where you'll see a blue ramp that will shoot you right into the circle where you started the whole bicycle ride.

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https://fieldsofhether.blogspot.com/p/health-fitness.html

The Fast Metabolism Diet - A Book Review

I'm still considering trying this diet. It's just so strict, and 28 days.. These are some of the resources I have been looking at, and below is my goodreads review of the book.

One bloggers experience with the diet

Another Bloggers experience with the diet

A Pinterest board that shows some of the recipes/food choices

Daily Health Post article - page 1 seems encouraging, but make sure you read page 2 as well

My GoodReads Review

I can't figure out how to rate this book. Do I rate it purely on writing, or on content? And how would I rate the content, the diet, without trying it to see how it works? I'm at a loss.

The first half of this book reads a lot like an infomercial. You'll read about clients who have been angry - yes "angry" - at her "because this was so easy", and you'll read about how this is not a diet, and about how much food you get to eat, etc.

It sounds great. A little too good to be true.

And then you get to the actual diet. Which "isn't a diet!", but eliminates all corn, wheat (only sprouted breads & tortillas 2 days a week) dairy, caffeine (not even decaf coffee or tea is allowed) refined sugar, and most fats. That, to me, is a diet. For 28 days, no yogurt, no cheese, no coffee. Definitely no desserts, ice cream, not even a hamburger at a cook out - that is a diet. It made me a little angry, after all of the hype, to read how difficult this diet will be to follow. Although she states over and over that all of these ingredients can easily be found in any grocery store, that is definitely not true in my area. I will have to visit a health food store for items like almond butter, and sprouted bread. But, to be fair, my local grocery store has horse and buggy parking and the entire store is smaller than the entrance area of some super wal-marts.

I googled the diet and found a couple of blogs where women have tried it, and apparently it does work. Other sites have stated that of course it works, it is an extremely low calorie, low fat, diet. Quite a few have tried the diet, lost up to 10lbs the first week, but then quit the second week because it was so restrictive. That is my fear, that it is just way too restrictive for 28 days.

The exercise is just as regimented. I've been running 3 times a week, this program allows running only two days a week, day one and day two - phase 1 of the diet. On days 2 & 3 strength training only, and days 4-7 yoga or meditation only. I'm nervous that I would lose the progress I have made with my lung capacity and running on that schedule. It also eliminates all flexibility. Currently if I have to switch my run days around do to weather, or our schedule, it's no big deal - but on this plan, if it's thunder storming on Monday and Tuesday, or the kids schedules get in my way, I either have to find a treadmill or skip my run for the week and substitute some other cardio exercise. That concerns me almost as much as the restrictive food choices. But I DO need to add more strength training, I've known that for awhile.

The facts and science seem sound, although I have not researched them to be sure they are accurate, they make a lot of sense. The three phases each week allow for a lot of variety. The diet is do-abe, it's just not as easy as she hyped it up to be in the first few chapters.

With all of my reservations, the book still just makes enough sense to make me want to try it. I think I will ease myself into it first. Rather than starting the full diet straight off, I will try a week of making sure I drink that much water (half your body weight) eating every 3-4 hours (at least 5 times a day)making sure I eat within 30 minutes of waking up, and for the first week I will try her specific breakfast recipes. I'm not expecting the drastic results that her diet offers, but those are sound principles that I should have been following all along anyway.

She is honest that this is like a medical treatment, and you have to treat it as such. If a dr told me I had to follow a specific therapy after a surgery, I would do it, no matter how difficult. In theory. In reality, I tend to follow the drs instructions only about half as long as they prescribed them for, and that is why I doubt my ability to follow 28 days of this diet as well.

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https://fieldsofhether.blogspot.com/p/health-fitness.html

Tips for Running (jogging) Faster

I want to slap people who say "the hardest part of running is getting out the door." I have no problems getting out the door, in my sneakers. I have regularly, for three months now. And guess what? Running (jogging really) is still HARD for me.

I'm slow. So very, very slow. So slow that MyFitnessPal does not have an option for me under jogging, I still have to log my workout as a walk. Talk about discouraging! Today I spent sometime reading about ways to increase my speed. This is what I found:

Change My Mindset
This is so true for me -
"My greatest obstacle was my mind. I convinced myself that I was a turtle, destined to run slow. Once I saw my time increase I realized I had to change my mind about my body's abilities. Instead of focusing on limitations I began to consider the possibilities."
http://voices.yahoo.com/how-improve-running-speed-beginner-runners-5449197.html?cat=5

I convince myself all the time that I will never be fast, that I am not made to run, that I am too fat, too old, too out of shape to ever be a fast runner...

Update My Playlist
When I started running this year, i didn't use music or headphones at all. I concentrated on being able to hold a conversation (my daughter runs with me). When I added headphones, my speed increased. This week I noticed I ran my first half mile in 6 minutes. To a much faster song than the others on my playlist. After mile 1 I realized I was running slower than I needed to, I think because the song on my playlist was a slower song.

Add Some Cross Training:
"Traditional strength training is one way to improve muscle strength. Cross train with cycling, kickboxing, karate, or swimming to add interest to your workout."
http://voices.yahoo.com/how-improve-running-speed-beginner-runners-5449197.html?cat=5

I want to add some "Tabata Training" to my days as well. See the video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=05_OmNySxzo I think especially jump rope for me, would help increase my lung capacity.

Work on my Breathing
I read a lot last year about breathing techniques, and then found I have fitness induced asthma, which an inhaler helped a lot.
For now, I want to concentrate on breathing through my nose. Step one. :-)
(2019 update - it probably wasn't ever asthma. In 2017 we found out that my iron was ridiculously low. As in, get to the hospital for transfusions immediately, low. That didn't happen overnight, I'm sure way back in 2014 when I wrote this is when the problems began. By 2016 I could not walk up a simple hill without being completely out of breath and feeling like I was going to pass out. An inhaler was not helping. My blood was simply not carrying oxygen. Fixed my iron issues, and what do you know - my lungs once again receive oxygen. But it took a surgery and a full year of high doses of iron for my blood cells to recover.)

"Breathing through your nose using your diaphragm takes practice."
http://voices.yahoo.com/how-improve-running-speed-beginner-runners-5449197.html?cat=5

Increase my distance
"Every two weeks, increase the length of your long run. This will extend endurance limits.."
http://www.active.com/running/Articles/5_Ways_to_Improve_Your_5K_Speed

I've been working on this at the lake each week, but really not pushing myself as much as I should. Runners World recommends a weekly long run of 6 miles to prepare for a 5k. I'm only doing 4.25 now, and I walk part of it.. Our next 5K is just one month away.

"Since you are training for a 5K, try increasing your long run to six miles. Increase mileage very gradually over time by increasing your total weekly mileage by 10% a week."
http://www.runnersworld.com/beginners/improving-speed-and-endurance

Add a Once A Week Speed Work Out

"For example, if you wanted to run eight minutes per mile, your quarter-mile race pace would need to be two minutes. The workout pace per lap should in this case be 1 minute, 52 seconds. Walk for half a lap between the 400s." http://www.active.com/running/Articles/5_Ways_to_Improve_Your_5K_Speed

There is more on speed training under Interval Work Out, here:
http://www.military.com/military-fitness/fitness-test-prep/improve-speed-on-your-pft-run

I'm thinking since my husband is doing the c25k, I should do it with him, and use the run times for speed.

Spark People has charts for intervals on treadmills on 3 levels, here:
http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/fitness_articles.asp?id=1147

They look like this:
Intermediate Speed Program

What to do	For how long	Intensity (1-10)
Warm up at 5 mph pace	5 minutes	3.5
Jog at 5.5 mph pace	2 minutes	5
Jog at 5.8 mph pace	2 minutes	6
Jog at 6.2 mph pace	5 minutes	7
Jog at 6.4 mph pace	3 minutes	7.5
Jog at 5.5 mph pace	4 minutes	5
Jog at 5.8 mph pace	2 minutes	6
Jog at 6.2 mph pace	2 minutes	7
Jog at 6.4 mph pace	5 minutes	7.5
Jog at 5.5 mph pace	2 minutes	5
Cool down	5 minutes	3.5
Total Workout Time:	37 minutes

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https://fieldsofhether.blogspot.com/p/health-fitness.html

Buying Kayaks

I've had a few people ask me about kayaks this spring, and rather than keep typing this over and over, I am putting it here so I can just send the link as needed. :-)

Things to Think About:

How will you transport the kayaks? If you do not own a truck, or have a car without roof racks, getting set up to transport them could cost more than the actual kayaks - be prepared. You can have after market roof racks installed, or buy a trailer to pull behind your vehicle. The trailer may be more expense, but if you have trouble lifting a kayak over your head, they are the way to go.
Will you be kayaking mostly in flat water (lakes, the local river) or faster moving/whitewater (Creeks, streams, rivers with whitewater)
Paddles are not included with kayaks, and cost around $50 for the cheap basic ones that we use.

Kayaks That We Own:

From Left to Right:

The Potomac we no longer own, and do not recommend

Emotion Edge

Heritage Feather Light

Trophy 144

The Emotion Glide, and Old Towne Otter

Perception Sport Express

Emotion Edge - This is Dan's kayak. Of all our kayaks, this has the "least flat" bottom. This is the fastest kayak we own, and it makes turns really quickly. It's a great kayak for guides, because you can turn around and go back to someone behind you who is having trouble, very quickly. We bought this one used from These Guys Kayak.

Emotion Glide - this is a great kayak for our local rivers and lakes. It is one of my favorites. Also purchased used from These Guys Kayak.

Perception Sport Express - this one is very similar to the Emotion Edge, but it has a better seat - this is the most comfortable kayak we own. (none of ours are really uncomfortable) Bought used off Craigslist.

Future Beach Trophy 144 - this is the kayak we tend to put beginners in, because it's near impossible to flip. It has a very flat bottom, and is heavy. It's made for fishing. The draw back is that it is very heavy. It moves slower, and it's harder to carry to and from the water. Bought at Dick's Sporting Goods.

Heritage Featherlight - extremely light weight, flat bottom, VERY stable. I don't think they make these anymore. Bought off Craigslist.

Old Town Otter - this kayak is too short for me - my legs do not fit. Our daughter is shorter than the rest of us, and she loves this kayak. Bought off Craigslist.

Kayaks You Should Not Buy (In our opinion)

Potomac

We did own one of these. It was so flimsy.. the foot pedals broke off, the straps broke off, it dented.. you could feel the difference in how this kayak was made. It was junk, pure and simple.

Coleman
I can't find the coleman we do not like online, they may not make it anymore. It is short - I think 8 ft. It was sold as a bundle at Dicks two years ago and we know a lot of people who bought them. These flip SO easily. I don't think we have ever been out with anyone in one that they didn't flip, at LEAST once, while we were out - even at Montour Preserve, which is a completely flat lake.

And although we are huge fans of the emotion line, we did not like the Emotion Comet. Again, this is the shorter model. Same with the Perception Swifty.

Things To Look For:
Size - all of our kayaks are 9-10 feet long. The shorter ones flip much easier. The longer ones are a pain to carry on top of the car. The more you weigh, the larger your kayak will need to be.. but the 9-10 foot ones have weight limits around 275lbs, so it's usually not necessary to go any larger than that.

A comfortable seat. Sit in it in the store. Anyone with any experience selling kayaks should expect you to want to sit in it before you buy it. You can replace seats, but it is easier to just buy one with a seat you like. :-)

Local Places To Buy Kayaks:

These Guys Kayak - we have bought all of our Emotion Kayaks used from these guys. We LOVE our emotion kayaks!

Dicks Sporting Goods - Watch for the Trophy Fusion to go on sale for around $200. We do not own any of these (we do have a Trophy, but not the Fusion - we have a heavier one) but several of our friends do, and they are really happy with them.

Future Beach Fusion 10 Kayak

Where to Register Your Kayak:
To use the boat launches on the river, you will need a launch permit. If the Fish & Game commission catches you without a permit, it is a steep fine.

http://fishandboat.com/brag/aa_usepermits.htm

We purchase ours online through the link above, and always order the 2 year permits, as it is cheaper.

Local Places To Go Kayaking:

Montour Preserve
The Susquehanna River
Rose Valley Lake

Wiifit Island Run - Follow the Dog!

Follow the Dog, On Island Run

Last week I started doing the island run on wiifit. I remembered my kids mentioning something about running ahead of your guide and following the dog, so I did.. fun! The dog is right at the starting gate, run fast so you go right past your guide and catch the dog.

He takes you on a different path, and you jump off cliffs. Twice.