Hier möchte ich mal das Trnd-Team in Schutz nahmen. Heute habe ich so viele Feeds gelesen, in denen sich Leute beschweren, die bei Trnd kostenlos für Produkttests angemeldet sind und nicht in jedem Projekt, das ihnen gefällt, eine Einladung bekommt. Dies finde ich unfair und daher habe ich auch auf dem Projektblog diesen folgen Beitrag geschrieben.

Ich muss jetzt wirklich mal was loswerden! Jeder der sich für kostenlose Produkttests anmeldet weiß, dass er nicht bei allen Projekten teilnehmen kann. Es gibt hunderte wenn nicht tausende, die sich gerne an Projekten beteiligen möchten. Die Anzahl der zu testenden Projekte sind begrenzt und bei Trnd fällt mir auf, dass jeder irgendwann zum Testen kommt. Die allgemeine Aufregung derer, die nicht oder öfter nicht ausgesucht werden, verstehe ich nicht. Wenn ich davon ausgehe, mich bei solchen Aktionen anzumelden, immer ausgesucht zu werden, der irrt sich gewaltig und arbeitet am Thema vorbei.

Dem Trnd-Team muss ich jetzt hier mit Freude mal ein Lob aussprechen. Es werden immer unterschiedliche Teilnehmer ausgesucht und nicht immer die Gleichen. Außerdem sind in letzter Zeit auch viele Produkttests an die Neueinsteiger gegangen. Die alten Hasen mussten genauso warten, bis sie dran waren.

Also, wer sich über so etwas ärgert und das Trnd-Team dafür verantwortlich macht, ist hier fehl am Platze. Es wird niemand gezwungen, sich hier anzumelden und es ist keine Verpflichtung für das Trnd-Team, sich immer solche Beschwerden anzuhören.

Ich hatte eine Einladung für das Amilo Notebook und bin nicht ausgewählt worden. Beim Wii Fit hatte ich auch keine Chance. Deshalb ärgere ich mich doch nicht. Find ich schon anmaßend, so mit der ganzen kostenlosen Idee umzugehen.

Wem dies nicht passt, kann sich ja bei mir melden. Dies ist meine Seite:

http://meinmyblog.wordpress.com/

Und hört endlich auf zu jammern.

Dem Trnd-Team noch einen schönen und freudigen Tag. Allen anderen Meckerern gebe ich hier die Möglichkeit, sich per Kommentar darüber auszulassen. Viel Spaß

Gleich am ersten Tag erhielt CrazyHammer Mitglied evil_zangief den Zuschlag für ein WiiFit BalanceBoard und eine PSP go erhalten.

Total CrazyHammer ersten tag und zwei sachen erworben uuuuuuuuuuuuuuhhhhhhhhh

…ist seine Meinung dazu!

Author: Taneja Geeta
Source: ezinearticles.com

The charm of the computer games is addictive in nature. That explains why people from various age groups love playing the latest generation games. There are a huge number of computer games. Some of them can be played by an individual. But there are some other games that offer the provision of multiplayer playing. Besides, one can also opt for the online games. While some of these games come for free, the others need a registration fee.

There are separate category of games meant for the children, teens and adults. The children’s games do not contain offensive and adult content. While some games are meant for those who love slashing the virtual monsters randomly there are some strategy based games that require the players to utilize the brain to solve certain problems. The lovers of the puzzle based games think that these help the players in sharpening their mental skills and alertness level.

It was in the 1980s that computer and console games made their debut in mainstream market. With the advent of newer technology and software the present generation games have become quite sophisticated and realistic. The days of the DOS based simple games are history. The present generation computer games are capable of displaying life like visuals and have stunning sound.

The web is a very good resource for finding resource on various types of games. One can also find game cheats and tips in various gaming forums and sites. However there are dedicated gaming consoles that give the gamers the maximum thrill and excitement. Among the leading gaming consoles of present times the Microsoft Xbox 360, Sony Playstation 3, and Nintendo Wii deserve a mention.

Both the Xbox 360 and PS3 have some impressive hardware specifications. They have sold in record numbers after their release and a number of games are available for both of them. However none of them have been able to beat the Wii in terms of popularity and innovation. The Wii uses a different approach towards gaming and that is interactivity. It is Nintendo’s fifth video game console and a direct successor of GameCube. The Wii games, “Game Console“, like Wii fit have found favor with a huge number of players all over the world. The Wii games are easy to learn and fun to play and that is why Wii has left both Xbox and PS3 lagging behind in sales.

It comes equipped with Wii Remote, a wireless controller. Another advantage of Wii over its rivals is its small dimension. It is quite lightweight and can easily be carried by anyone. In fact it is the smallest, “Game Console“, console introduced by Nintendo. It lacks the beefed up hardwire of PS3 and Xbox but more than makes up for it by its interactive operating style. It weights just 1.2 kg. The players can keep it either vertically or horizontally.

Geeta Taneja is author of this article on Consoles, Wii, DS

Find more information about iPOD, Apple iPOD here

So I took some time this weekend to give my 3-day trial of EA Sports Active a go. I’m supposed to return it by 8pm tomorrow, and… I won’t be returning it. Holy moly, for a video game this sure does give you a good workout. It’s definitely no gym replacement, but it’s a HUGE improvement over everything that is Wii Fit.

The Kit
EA Sports Active comes with the game CD, a leg strap, and a resistance band with attachable handles. The leg strap seems to fit legs of almost any size, and comes with an extra bit of velcro for those that need it. The resistance band is on the weaker side (red/orange), but I can see the reasoning behind it. You don’t want to kill someone with a blue band on day one. The handles are attached to the band very simply, so the user can switch to a higher resistance when they’re ready, no biggie. The Wii Balance Board isn’t necessary for this game, but if you have it, there are exercises that utilize the board.

Variety
The range of exercises available is really impressive. On Saturday morning I tried out the Total Body Conditioning, which totaled to about 30 minutes, including the time it took to watch the intro videos. Even though I already knew most of the techniques (squats, biceps curls, etc), it’s good to learn the Wii remote/nunchuck positioning. The number of predesigned workouts they have could keep you busy and doing something different every day for a month. Not bad. It has everything from upper body, lower body, total body, marathon training (50 minutes long! I’m impressed), etc. In addition to upper/lower strength training, it also has plenty of cardio items like dance, running, inline skating (combo of squats and jumps), basketball, volleyball, and more. There’s a 30 Day Challenge option which is like a c25k for strength and cardio beginners.

Running in place... I did this after my run, so I was pooped.

EA vs Wii Fit
I love this game so much more than Wii Fit. If you’ve never used Wii Fit before, here’s a rundown of how workouts go there:

1. Step on the balance board
2. “Mirror the movements”
3. Pay more attention to keeping the red dot in the center of the yellow circle than keeping proper form
4. Repeat

I never really got anything out of it, so I stopped using it. It’s a dust collector. EA Sports, on the other hand, uses the remote and nunchuck, which let the system know you’re done with a rep. So when you’re doing squats, the system detects the position of the nunchuck (which is all cozy in the leg strap) and shows you if you’re just right, too low, or too high. The remote positioning takes some getting used to with the upper body exercises, but all in all it’s an easy process.

Results
I’ll just admit it now… I’m still sore from my workout yesterday morning. I’m sure my run today also has something to do with it, but for the purposes of this review, let’s just say it’s the game. My hips were on fire this morning from the squats, lunges, lunge jumps, and side lunges. I got my mom started on the 30 Day Challenge today, which she’ll hopefully stick with.

Note to self: running tights + camera flash = transparency. Thank goodness for a quick 'n dirty Photoshop clone tool.

Is this a replacement for a gym, long runs, or a personal trainer? No, not at all. But it’s excellent for people pressed for time (like my mom) and for those lazy days where you need to do something but really just don’t want to leave the house (me on Saturday mornings). I can honestly say that I’m excited to use this game again, and I look forward to exploring more of what it has to offer.

Wii Fit attracted millions of new players to the world of video games. Now Wii Fit Plus offers a range of new features and enhancements to help players reinvigorate their workouts, along with exercises and balance games designed to keep them fun. Players will find a new dimension to the Wii Fit experience as they easily set their own customized workout routines, or choose 20-, 30- or 40-minute workouts based on how much time they have available. Users will also be able to choose from specialized workout routines that focus on all-around individual personal fitness goals or certain target areas. And with the addition of activities like Skateboarding and Rhythm Kung Fu, players will be using the Wii Balance Board accessory in a variety of new and fun ways.

Gameplay
As with the original Wii Fit release, Wii Fit Plus is designed, as its name implies, to improve the user’s fitness. The game contains a large number of activities that fall into a variety of categories, including: yoga, aerobics, strength training and balance games. With all but a few exceptions, which utilize variations on a standard Wii Remote configuration, all activities utilize the Wii Balance Board (included with this bundle), either alone or configured with either a Wii Remote alone or the Wii Remote and nunchuck. The Balance Board, like any other Wii controller acts as a motion/pressure sensing device wirelessly synched to your Wii and replicating your body’s movements. Each controller employed occupies one of the Wii’s four wireless inputs, together mapping the reference points needed to recreate most full body motions on screen. Although this limits the majority of the activities to a single player orientation, various activities throughout the game support up to eight players in alternating play.

To use Wii Fit Plus players import their Miis from their Wii system, set up profiles, establish a current physical baseline, set fitness goals, and embark on a routine to reach them. Wii Fit Plus tracks your usage, weight and progress towards your goal over time, giving you a status report as you start each session. At any time players can choose whatever activity they want, whether exercise or balance game, and as they progress in these they will level up in each, gaining points, setting high scores and unlocking more activities.

Author: Callie Gasper
Source: ezinearticles.com

The Wii Fit balance board and game is quite costly. At about $90 on average, you end up with a hole in your pocket after making the purchase. Then you add in extras, like batteries and balance board sleeves. While the initial costs are expensive, you can save quite a bit on the whole set up if you take a few steps before making your purchase.

Look for Sales

Looking for sales on the Wii fit system can save quite a bit of money! If you buy from stores that offer reward points, you can save even more. Buying a used system, nintendo wii game
, is, nintendo wii game
, also an option. Since Wii Fit was released only 1 year and a half ago, a used balance board wouldn’t be too old! You could probably snag one for a decent price.

Avoid “Extras”

Extras are fun,, nintendo wii game
, but expensive. Most board skins cost a lot, around $20 or more! They are unnecessary and can actually interfere with your balance board accuracy. Nintendo Licensed “Wii, nintendo wii game
, fit workout clothes” are also a money sink, so you can save $50 or more by avoiding them. Other extras include Wii fit water bottles and additional useless add-ons. These cost quite a bit since they are labeled with the Wii Fit Nintendo emblem. Just avoid them!

Make it WORTH Your Money

The balance board is no doubt an expensive “exergaming” investment. So make it worth your money! You won’t save any actual cash doing this, but you will make it very much worth the initial costs. Buy balance board enabled games and immerse yourself in the experience, nintendo wii game
, . After all, that’s what it is all about!

Buy Used Games

Like #3, nintendo wii game
, states, you can make your investment worthwhile by actually utilizing its technology. Buying balance board enabled games can cost between $15-$50. Buy used games or buy them from places that offer discounts, buy one get one, or points per dollar you spend.

Buy Reusable Batteries

Batteries cost quite a bit. A package of $6 runs at about $6, depending on the brand. The balance board uses 4 and the wii mote uses 4. If you use these regularly, nintendo wii game
, your batteries are going to drain awfully fast. Buying eco-friendly reusable batteries not only helps the environment but it also saves you a ton of cash! Reusable batteries last months, possibly years when taken care of. You can literally save hundreds of dollars, nintendo wii game
, over the course, nintendo wii game
, of the systems lifespan doing this!

Conclusion

These tips are simple, but they really make a difference if you are interested in exploring the world of exergaming! The Wii, nintendo wii game
, fit Balance Board has plenty of options and weight managing tools, that it would be a shame to waste that technology. Be wise and shop smart. With the Wii Fit plus release coming up, prices and sales are going to be competitive. Never spend more than you should, and always shop around for great Wii fit deals!

http://www.wiifitenthusiast.com

The complete guide to Wii Fit. Each game and exercise explained, with tips and strategies for getting the most out of them.

Tips including: how to unlock every game/exercise and stamp, cheats, secret jogging trails…

A workout routine that tells you which exercises to do, in what order, on which days, and for how long!

Get yours today!

Wow, so that’s what you do! March 31, 2009

Found out about this book when I was looking at stuff to go along with the Wii Fit program. The book gives brief explainations of how the various exercises are done and how to avoid injury on some of these. I finally came to understand how the Balance Board worked. It was one of those moments where you say to yourself that you should have known it but didn’t. George Halt also gives suggestion as how to combine the exercises for different days to get a full body workout. Read this through in one sitting, and made a note where Yoga, Strength Training, Aerobics and Balance Games explainations began for quick reference. Now I feel I have a better idea how to use the program.

Thank you!, March 19, 2009

Everything I wanted and needed to know about the Wii Fit was in here. It finally helped me unlock some of the games.

I really appreciated the workout routine. I sort of expected the Wii Fit to include a workout schedule as part of the game, and was disappointed to find out that it does not. But this guide provides a very helpful routine.

They love it! Get yours by clicking here.

I recently recieved Wii Fit Plus from my partner and have been trying out it’s new features. One that I thought was worth sharing was the Pet weighing. As you can see in the snaps, it can be hard to weigh a big dog (as you have to hold them, weighing both of you, then deducting your weight).

First up was Max. This task was difficult becauce he would constantly wiggle and try to eat my hands. He drooled everywhere too. Good thing it wasn’t my Balance board! As you can see, Max had escaped my grasp and he weighed in at 0 st…

Mallie was next. If you knew these dogs, you’d think Mallie would be harder to hold (as she is almost my size and doesn’t like to be lifted). However, she allowed me to hold her for the 5 secs it takes to weigh. She weighed in at 6.5st. Yes, she is my LittleBigMallie…

La forme maintenant sur mesure encore plus amusante. 50% d’activités en plus !

Wii Fit permet déjà à plus de 20 millions d’utilisateurs dans le monde de prendre soin de leur équilibre et leur forme au quotidien. Les créateurs originaux du logiciel ont donc rassemblé tous les commentaires et souhaits de ces utilisateurs pour finaliser une version améliorée, Wii Fit Plus.

L’équilibre, déterminé par votre centre de gravité, est un important facteur de bonne santé corporelle. Un mobilier mal adapté, un sac trop lourd ou encore le stress quotidien peuvent provoquer une mauvaise posture. Cela pourrait affecter, à long terme, vos organes internes et vos muscles.

Votre entraînement devient sur mesure et encore plus amusant. Wii fit Plus offre de nouvelles possibilités, en plus d’améliorer les modes déjà existants ! Les utilisateurs peuvent désormais personnaliser leur entraînement, ou découvrir plus de 20 nouvelles activités pour s’amuser en famille.

L’intégralité de Wii Fit est présente dans Wii Fit Plus, ce nouveau logiciel vous offre la possibilité de customiser vos sessions de jeu en termes de durée et de type d’entraînement, 50 % d’activités en plus, telles que 6 nouveaux exercices de Yoga et de Renforcement Musculaire et aussi la possibilité de matérialiser ses efforts en METs ou en calories équivalentes dépensées.

De nouveaux exercices et de nouveaux jeux

Pourrez-vous courir et sauter comme Mario ?

Créez votre propre programme de fitness

15 nouveaux jeux d’équilibre dans le mode entrainement

Fourni avec ou sans le Wii Balance Board qui transforme le corps entier en interface de jeu. Cet accessoire exclusif est un plateau blanc muni de 4 capteurs de pression. Il est capable de déterminer avec précision le centre de gravité, le poids et la position de celui qui monte dessus. Il peut enfin déterminer la position et la vitesse d’exécution des mouvements. Si vous possédez déjà Wii Fit alors le disque du nouveau logiciel suffit : il est disponible séparément à petit prix.

Le programme Wii Fit Plus propose 4 types de programmes pré-configurés pour satisfaire les attentes et besoins de chacun : Bien-être, Poids, Sénior ou Silhouette. Chaque type de programme propose des séries d’exercices différents, vous pouvez même en définir la durée. Par exemple, pour 20 minutes de relaxation, choisissez Bien-être.

4 catégories d’exercices et 60 activités pour que chacun trouve l’entraînement qui lui convient. Yoga, musculation, aérobic et jeux d’équilibre vous aident à maîtriser votre équilibre corporel, brûler les graisses, tonifier et développer vos muscles et améliorer votre aérobie. Vous bâtissez un entraînement sur mesure et progressez à votre rythme.

Désormais, entraînez-vous facilement à plusieurs ! Avec Wii Fit Plus, l’entraînement ne se fait plus forcément seul, jouez avec vos proches jusqu’à 8 dans des jeux d’équilibre conçu pour vous permettre de vous entraîner en vous amusant simplement et rapidement sans avoir à vous ré-enregistrer à chaque partie! Suivez vos progrès et ceux de votre famille.

MODE DE JEUX :

• Mon Wii Fit Plus : Mon Wii Fit Plus permettra à chacun de personnaliser son entraînement, de se fixer ses propres objectifs, et de prendre soin de sa forme à son rythme.
• Programme Plus :Le programme Wii Fit Plus propose 4 types de programmes pré configurés pour convenir aux attentes et besoins de chacun : « Bien-être » pour des séances apaisantes, qui vous permettront de vous sentir mieux et d’évacuer le stress du quotidien, « Poids » pour prendre soin de son corps et le tonifier, « Senior » pour de l’exercice au quotidien pour gagner en dynamisme et en énergie et « Silhouette » , des exercices qui permettent de galber sa silhouette en toute simplicité.
• Mon Programme : Vous connaissez déjà vos exercices préférés ? Vous savez quels sont les plus efficaces pour vos besoins ? Avec mon programme, vous pouvez personnaliser entièrement vos sessions de jeu et choisir parmi 30 exercices ceux que vous souhaitez pratiquer. Vous pouvez par exemple centrer vos choix en fonction de vos objectifs, et choisir une série d’exercices pour raffermir vos hanches, faire de l’étirement ou encore vous relaxer tout simplement.
• Favoris : Dans ce mode, vous pouvez voir les différentes activités classées dans 3 rubriques distinctes : parmi les 10 exercices que vous pratiquez le plus, un des 10 derniers exercices que vous pratiqué, parmi les 10 exercices que vous pratiquez le moins.
• M.E.T : Suivez l’énergie que vous dépensez avec le compteur EMEP (équivalent métabolique d’un effort physique) qui compare l’énergie dépensée pendant un effort à la consommation d’énergie au repos. Il est d’ailleurs possible de se fixer un objectif d’énergie à dépenser.
• Mode entraînement : 15 nouveaux jeux d’équilibre vous permettront de vous amuser à plusieurs. Montez sur la Balance Board et vous vous envolez avec la grâce du poulet en battant des bras, vous faites des additions avec vos fesses, vous jonglez en équilibre instable dans un cirque ou vous incarnez un véritable héros de jeu de plateforme ! Dans certains jeux, il vous faudra associer la Balance Board à la Télécommande Wii et au Nunchuk, vous utiliserez ainsi toutes les parties de votre corps, soyez synchronisé !

INNOVATIONS :Surprise : Vos chiens et chats, font partie de la famille et vous pouvez maintenant surveiller leurs poids en restant proche d’eux : il vous suffit de lui créer son Mii ! Votre fidèle compagnon vous accompagnera alors dans certains jeux, en vous montrant le chemin à suivre en Segway par exemple.

Retrouver également l’archipel Wuhu de Wii Sports Resort qui sera le théâtre de bon nombre d’activités nouvelles.

La Wii Board est un accessoire exclusif à la Wii. Il mesure 511 mm de large x 316 mm de long x 53.2 mm de haut et pèse 3.5kg. Il est sans fil et peut donc être placé n’importe où dans la pièce. Il fonctionne avec 4 piles qui ont une autonomie d’environ 60 heures. Sa précision est impressionnante : pour déterminer le centre de gravité, le poids, la position et la vitesse d’exécution des mouvements de celui qui monte dessus ; les 4 capteurs de pression de la Wii Balance Board effectuent 60 mesures par seconde. Ils prennent aussi en compte la température ambiante.

La première fois qu’un utilisateur insère le logiciel Wii Fit Plus dans la console Wii, une nouvelle chaîne – la Chaîne Wii Fit Plus – peut s’ajouter à son Menu Wii. La chaîne Wii Fit Plus permet aux utilisateurs qui montent sur la Wii Balance Board de calculer leur IMC, de définir la position de leur Centre de Gravité au repos et de faire un test d’équilibre pour déterminer leur âge Wii Fit Plus sans avoir à insérer le disque du logiciel dans leur console.

Cela vous permet aussi de visualiser le temps que vous avez passé par type d’activités chaque jour, tranquillement installé chez vous et sans avoir à insérer le disque du logiciel à chaque fois. Pour les possesseurs de la première version de Wii Fit, il ne sera pas nécessaire de créer un nouveau profil, le logiciel Wii Fit Plus récupèrera automatiquement vos données précédentes à partir de la console Wii, vous pourrez ainsi poursuivre l’entraînement sans perdre de vue ce que vous avez accompli jusqu’à présent.

Retrouvez toutes les consoles Wii Fit sur Amazon.fr

Well well well friends, how are we doin’ tonight?!  I finally feel like I’m getting back into the swing of things after this crazy out-of-wack week as I like to deem it…  And now tomorrow is Friday, perfect timing eh

After work today I was so super-pumped to finally get in a serious sweat session — it’s felt like forever sheesh!  My main homegirl Jillian always knows how to make me feel the burn, shred shred shred (that’s 3 shreds for level 3!).  It felt amazing   Does anyone else have a reinforced excitement over working out after taking a few days off?  Refreshing isn’t it?

Then it was time to get back into the kitchen after what has felt like a sporadic cooking week… yet another thing that felt great! 

On the menu tonight was a dinner inspired by this week’s Blogger Secret Ingredient contest (remember friends, you have ’til Sunday night to get those entries in!! )

Chicken breasts stuffed w/ Blue Cheese & Cranberries

• 3 small chicken breasts, pounded flat
• TJ’s blue cheese crumbles with cranberries
• 1 egg
• bread crumbs
• salt & pepper
• cooking spray
• splash chicken stock (not pictured)

First I pounded out the chicken breasts til’ they were thin and flat, using saran wrap to guard the chicken from the mallet.

Then I layered some of the blue cheese w/ cranberry crumbles on one side of each piece of chicken.

Rolled up starting with the end with the cheese and secured with a toothpick.

Then dunked each roll up in the egg wash and coated in some bread crumb (each had been seasoned with salt & pepper).

Added them to a hot saucepan coated w/ cooking spray over medium heat and let them sit for a few minutes before flipping so that they got a nice “crust” on each side.

After a few minutes on each side, I added a splash of chicken stock to the pan and covered it until they were cooked through – lowering the temperature to medium-low and turning once or twice.  The extra liquid made sure they stayed moist & deelish

To go with I decided on some homemade oven fries using 3 sliced up russet potatoes, 2 tblsp olive oil, salt, pepper & 1/2 tsp cayenne.

After about 40 minutes in a 450F oven

And to bulk up the veggie factor I also went with some frozen corn

Dinner. Is. Served.

Check out the insides of this bad boy!

The dinner was awesome, I loved the chicken rollups whoop whoop!

Okay okay okay I can’t hold it in any longer!!! Around 4:30pm The Man informed me that he had a surprise for me and I proceeded to hassle him for the next 3 hours wanting to know soooo badly what it was…. of course he wouldn’t tell haha

CHECK THIS OUT!!!!!!!!!

Ummm yes, that would be the Wii Fit Plus along with not one, but two Jillian Michaels Exercise DVDs to go with it?!?!??!?!  Is this for real?!?!?!

OMG Best Boyfriend Ever Award :) ?? Yes, nomination for this guy!

Prepare to see some of this friends in your near future friends!

Wait a minute, I totally almost forgot to share the Pineapple Pretzel Salad recipe amidst all this surprise madness!

Now friends, this is no healthy treat, but absolutely fantastically tasty treat it most definitely is!!  And thanks to you-know-who for letting me share this wonderful recipe with everyone.

• 3 cups crushed pretzels
• 1 cup sugar (divided)
• 1 stick butter (melted)
• 8 oz cream cheese
• 8 oz Cool Whip
• 1 can crushed pineapple
• 2 tbsp cornstarch

Mix together pretzels, 1/2 cup sugar, and butter.  Press in bottom of 9×13 pan.  Beat together cream cheese, Cool Whip, and 1/2 cup of sugar.  Spread over pretzel layer.  Put pineapple and cornstarch in saucepan.  Boil for 1-2 minutes.  Pour over cream cheese layer.  Refrigerate until ready to serve.

So there you have it friends!  It’s the holidays, splurge a lil’

Alright, time for Grey’s Anatomy and Real Housewives of the OC in front of our newly working gas log fireplace (thanks to The Man’s dad for that!)

See you friends for FRIDAY!!!!!

This is the best offer I have ever seen on a Wii!  Don’t Miss This One!

Buy a Wii and Wii Fit Bundle and get a FREE $50 Amazon Gift Card that can be used for other gifts this Christmas.  (This offer is only available while supplies last)

Click here to get your bonus offer!

JUST BECAUSE “SOMETHING IS BETTER THAN NOTHING” DOES NOT MEAN IT’S FLAWS SHOULDN’T BE EXPOSED…NINTENDO IS GOING TO MARKET THE “Wii FIT” AS AN EXERCISE PROGRAM…AND IT JUST DOESN’T MEASURE UP…RUN OUTSIDE, DO “REAL” PUSHUPS AND SITUPS…AVOID EXERCISE PROGRAMS THAT PROMISE TO MAKE EXERCISE FUN…

(From a USAToday.com article)   The intensity of an exercise program on Nintendo’s highly popular fitness title Wii Fit amounts to a “very, very mild workout,” says a study from the American Council on Exercise.

The study recruited 16 male and female volunteers between the ages of 20 to 24 to test how effective Wii Fit is at delivering a vigorous workout.

After each volunteer’s fitness baseline was set, the group participated in six of the game’s most challenging aerobic activities: Free Run, Island Run, Free Step, Advanced Step, Super Hula Hoop and Rhythm Boxing.

Researchers found the energy expended from Wii Fit exercises fell below physical activity guidelines set by the American College of Sports Medicine. The exercises also resulted in fewer calories burned compared to performing the actual activity.

“Step aerobics is a very good workout, but you typically step up onto a 6-inch high bench,” says Porcari. “In Wii Fit, you step up onto the 1- or 1.5-inch balance pad so you’re burning far fewer calories than you would in an actual step aerobics class.”

While researchers admit Wii Fit is better than sitting on the couch, the fitness game should be used along with other physical activity. Porcari also suggests Wii Sports might be the better exercise title for Wii owners.

“In Wii Sports, there’s more jumping around, and you’re not constrained by having to stand on the balance pad,” Porcari says. “I just think there’s much more freedom of movement and you get a better workout.”

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gamehunters/post/2009/11/exercise-study-questions-fitness-benefits-of-wii-fit/1

The first thing I wake up to this morning is an article from 1up.com saying Sony is releasing the Playstation 3 Update 3.10 today. This update includes Facebook. Yes, Facebook. If you’re a 360 owner, you just got Facebook on your console yesterday. Eric Lempel, network operation director for Sony said in an interview with 1up.com that its something they’ve been working on for some time now. My only question is, why wait to announce it until now? The original article can be found here.

As one can tell from my previous posting, I’m not sure I really want my friends on Facebook to always know what games I’m playing. “Your friend just scored 40 swimsuits in Dead or Alive: Xtreme Beach Volleyball 3″ or “Your friend is playing a new Sonic the Hedgehog game. Get counseling.” My friends don’t need to constantly know what I’m playing, when I’m playing it, or how good/bad I’m doing at it.

Also of note is Electronic Arts. EA recently opened two stores for their new fitness game, “EA Sports Active.” Apparently, these two stores are the only stores being opened for this product, and they’ll only remain open until December 14th of this year. Unfortunately, neither store is in a location nearby for me, so I can’t run over and openly mock the idea in the store. So, I’ll do it here.

First of all, fitness video games in general. Please tell me there are some of you out there that remember the Nintendo Power Pad, with games like World Class Track Meet and Short Order/Eggsplode. I played these games as a child, and would sweat my skinny ass off playing them. However, there wasn’t any structure involved, or diet for that matter, so I didn’t get “fit.” Same goes for owners of Wii Fit. The only success stories I’ve heard coming from using Wii Fit are those who use it in a structured setting with a diet plan to go along with it. This may explain the large number of Wii Fit Balance Boards thrown into closets…just like the Nintendo Power Pad folded up in my parents’ closet.

Secondly, the fact of these stores being set up to sell one game is ridiculous at best, and horrifying at worst. We’re still in a recession, despite what the news media would have you believe. That store space could’ve been used for, well, anything else. A drifter could’ve squatted in there, and I think I would’ve found it more useful than these stores. Hell, a squatting drifter would probably intrigue me more than EA Sports Active ever could. Here’s the 1up.com article with store locations.

Also, Microsoft needs to stop teasing me. Its getting me a little too excited…

Finally, I saw this and couldn’t help but smile. If you’ve ever been to, well, anywhere on the Internet, you’ll understand this.

Semper Stupid, Geeks. Semper Stupid

The DevilGeek

Music listened to while yelling everything above this line:

System of a Down “Innervision”

Machine Head “Now I Lay Thee Down”

Dethklok “The Last Vikings”

Staind “Devil”

Dream Theater “Vacant”

Dethklok “Pull the Plug”

Roundtable Podcast #2 – The Wii Revolution <45 mins (20.8 MB)> – (November 15, 2009)

Join myself and Chris Karpyszyn as we discuss the legitimacy of the Wii’s popularity and what Nintendo has done well and done not so well to have crowned it’s console the king of this generation. The concept of innovation over graphics is the major characteristic of the Wii but did it also sacrifice gameplay as well? We discuss that and other Wii topics like the Virtual Console/WiiWare service and whether it has been a boon to classic gaming or a lame duck attempt at competing with the Xbox Live Marketplace and if Nintendo can stay ahead of their competitors ambitious plans to add motion control to their consoles.

This podcast was recorded a couple of weeks ago and due to other business that I had to attend to and the fact that it took me quite a while to edit this thing together (it was really late when we originally recorded this and it sounded like we should have gone to bed instead of recording), it is only being released now. It must be noted that while listening to us complain about the lack of major Nintendo first-party titles on the Wii, Excitebike World Rally and Pokemon Rumble had not been announced nor had the demo service which just went live this past Monday.

We’ll be recording our fourth Roundtable this Sunday (the third one is recorded but it will take me some time to edit it). We’ll be talking about the Xbox 360 and it’s notorious Red Ring of Death with the major question being: why hasn’t the Red Ring of Death killed the Xbox 360? If you have any questions or comments you want to send for us to discuss during the recording, send the messages to madnessbrewing@gmail.com

Have you ever been in the sporting goods store and thought, “I need a Wii?”, but you were in the wrong store?  Well that might change soon with the upcoming announcement by Sports Authority that they will begin selling Nintendo’s Wii console in their stores across the country. 

“This is about getting the nation fit,” Sports Authority President David Campisi told Kotaku. “This could be really, really game changing.”

The announcement is expected to come Thursday at their store in Torrance, California.  Present to help make the announcement will be fitness expert and video game star Jillian Michaels.  Also on that day they will have 100 Wii Fit Boards set up in an attempt to host the world’s biggest Wii Fit workout session. 

“In our fitness departments we carry a lot of equipment,” Campisi said. “There are many, many ways to get fit and exercise, this is just one additional opportunity.”

Source: Kotaku

Today was pretty uneventful. I had my Topics in class essay this morning and the professor used the question in the back of our book which I had reviewed last night so I knew the answer. I’m kind of annoyed that she did this because I didn’t learn anything from this exercise since I read the model answer for this question prior to sitting down and writing it. It will be graded by a Bar Examiner but we will receive a good faith completion grade so in the end it doesn’t affect my grade and I learned nothing more than I had last night. End of my rant, I swear.

Breakfast: We purchased some of the new Kashi Warm Cinnamon Oat cereal at Publix the other day and I tried it out this morning.  It was really good! I added some blueberries and topped it with some Almond Breeze original. I also stopped at Starbucks (yet again) for a Venti Gingerbread Latte. My older sister sent me a Starbucks giftcard for my birthday (thanks Heather!) so I’ve been to Starbucks a lot lately.

After class I headed to my externship for the afternoon. Nothing special there, still working on the same projects and I still have no idea what I’m doing. As of today I only have 3 more days of my externship but I will be working there after the semester to achieve my pro bono hours.

Lunch:

• Kashi Black Bean Mango frozen entree
• Honeycrisp apple

I snacked on a Larabar Cherry Pie halfway through the afternoon as well.

When I got home I decided to pull out the new Wii Fit to do some yoga and core work for the Whittle My Middle challenge. I ended up goofing around in the strength training section, balance section, and yoga section. I worked out 35 minutes and burned 119 calories, not too shabby! The Wii Fit has a ton of cool and fun games and you can create custom workouts as well. I plan on using it to do my yoga on the Wii Fit and I’m going to try some of the strength training routines as well. I will stick to running and spin for cardio but I’m sure I will continue to play around with the aerobic games as well. I then did another 6 minutes for the WMM challenge. I fell behind in WMM this weekend during my stint of procrastination/laziness but I am determined to finish the challenge strong!

Dinner:Pesto Chicken and Fig & Walnut sauteed veggies

• Olive oil
• Summer squash
• Zucchini
• Kale
• Bella shrooms
• Fig & Walnut Balsamic vinegar
• Lemon juice
• Kirkland’s Organic No Salt Seasoning
  
• 2 chicken breasts
• Pesto
• Feta

I first sauteed the vegetables in some olive oil. I then added the vinegar, lemon juice and no salt seasoning. After the veggies were soft but not too mushy I removed them from the pan and added the chicken breasts and cooked thoroughly adding some more lemon juice and no salt seasoning. I plated the chicken on top of the veggies topped with some pesto and sprinkled some feta on top.

Dinner was yummy and Anthony didn’t miss a starch at all! Right now we are relaxing and watching our Monday night line up:

• How I Met Your Mother
• Accidentally on Purpose
• Big Bang Theory
• Three Sheets
• Gossip Girl (I’ll watch this tomorrow morning b/c Anthony can’t stand being in the same room as me when I watch this show, haha)

Dessert: I am craving a Banana Milkshake so in a little bit I will be making them for Anthony and myself.

Banana Milkshake (2 servings):

• 2 ripe bananas
• Vanilla Frozen yogurt
• Almond Breeze Vanilla
• Cool whip

Good night!

Eu om serios sa ma lupt cu un pusti de clasa a 8-a. Da de unde nici prin cap nu-mi trecea. Uite ca se poate, ba ma face arsice sip e tatal sau la fel. Ne facem de ras unul dupa altul. Ne lipseste conditia fizica si indemanarea. Suntem doi eroi de benzi desenate penibili. Un copil ne-a invins la tot ce inseamna sport.
In fine, consola Wii Sports Resort ne-a lasat cu gura cascata pe astia batranii. Tanarul era in elementul lui, avea tot ce-si dorea – 12 sporturi (printre care tenis de masa, ciclism, tir cu arcul, ski nautic, scrima, baschet, golf, bowling, frisbee si canotaj) si fiecare sport este simulat cu mare precizie multumita unui accesoriu hi-tech numit Wii MotionPlus.
Ba mai mult ne-a reomandat in gluma, asa pentru imbunatatirea conditiei fizice sa incercam Wii Fit. Este un program complet de fitness, accesibil oricui. Pachetul contine o placa speciala (Wii Balance Board) pe care utilizatorul realizeaza toate miscarile, precum si un software de exercitii, specializat in urmarirea evolutiei corpului (cu trainer video, indici comparativi Body Mass Index raportat la varsta si inaltime, grafice detaliate, calendar de activitate, istoric, jurnal de activitate etc).

Lasand la o parte gluma am luat in serios chestia asta si impreuna cu amicul meu am intrat pe http://www.tntgames.ro , fara sa ne vada ala micu ( nu trebuie sa dam satisfactie, suntem oameni maturi ce naiba) si am constatat ca se poate – un filmulet demo Wii Fit foarte convingator. N-am spus nimanui dar decizia noastra era déjà luata.
Pustii astia stiu cam multe pentru varsta lor.
Acest articol a fost scris pentru SuperBlog 2009.

Marioara a hotarat sa isi prelungeasca sederea in Ciuca Macaii, lasand apartamentul sau inchiriat din minunatul cartier Berceni, in seama lui Gigel. Este un baiat de incredere, saritor, mai ales cand vine vorba de febletea lui blonda cu parul carliontat. Sa nu credeti ca Marioara este o fata blonda in sens conotativ. Ea este blonda pentru ca atunci cand juca fotbal, in curtea scolii cu baietii de clasa a VII-a,  statea mai mult pe partea unde batea soarele. Cu timpul, din cauza acestui aspect, parul ei a devenit blond ca al unei suedeze native. Aceasta a fost o paranteza pentru ca Iulia Mihai sa o poata stiliza intr-un program de editare grafica pe Marioara.

De ce s-a hotarat Marioara sa ramana? Motivul e prea intim ca sa vi-l spun, insa ca o varianta  oficiala, ziarul Double Click ne informeaza ca studenta la litere a ramas alaturi de Mircica, un fost coleg de liceu sa petreaca o seara Nintendo Wii.

Inainte de a va povesti ce au facut cei doi, bineinteles varianta oficiala, va voi face o scurta descriere a istoriei lui Mircica. Baiatul acesta o iubise sincer pe Marioara inca din clasa a IV-a, cand imparteau cele doua eugenii pe care mama baiatului i le pregatea acestuia cu drag ca si pachet pentru la scoala. Marioara credea ca acesta era doar un gest prietenesc, negandindu-se ca Mircica, fratele lui Gica, var cu Nea Ionica ar iubi-o in secret. Dragostea aceasta platonica a durat mai bine de opt ani, din clasa a IV-a pana la terminarea liceului, cand drumurile celor doi s-au despartit. Insa, in ultimul an de liceu Marioara incepuse sa fie vazuta tot mai des cu Bruzli, si sa schimbe eugeniile lui Mircica pe kebab-ul cu iz de usturoi al smecherului macaian. Apoi, destinele celor doi s-au separat definitiv, Miricica luand calea Moscovei, pentru studii tehnice, iar Marioara, Calea Victoriei pentru a studia magazinele din centrul vechi al Bucurestiului.

Cu ocazia zilei satului Ciuca Macaii, cei doi s-au reintalnit, iar Mircica, deja cu maniere de Moscova a invitat-o pe Marioara la o partida…la o partida de tenis pe noul sau dispozitiv Nintendo Wii. Marioara, vizitatoare fidela a tuturor magazinelor bucurestene, insa nu si o cumparatoare la fel de generoasa cand vine vorba de tehnica, stia cateva amanunte despre acest dispozitiv. Citise ca Nintendo este cel mai puternic jucator din lume pe piata consolelor de jocuri video adresate publicului larg, indiferent de categoria de varsta sau de sex. Cunostea si faptul ca exista doua tipuri de produse din aceasta categorie si anume Wii Fit si Wii Sports Resort.

Ajunsi in casa modesta a lui Miricica, cei doi s-au apropiat imediat de dispozitivul minune, produs de Nintendo, si distribuit prin TNT Games.

Si iata ca meciul incepe…Dupa un prim set castigat la tie-break de aceasta Anna Kournikova a Romaniei, a urmat setul al doilea in care Mircica a lasat manierele la o parte, castigand cu un sec 6-2. A urmat un pahar de vin alb, servit in amintirea anilor de liceu …In setul decisiv, dupa un sarut pasional, Marioara a reusit sa se impuna, folosindu-se din plin de accesoriul hi-tech numit Wii MotionPlus, dar si se sarmul ei debordant. Scor 6-4. Din pacate la ultima minge, mingea de meci, Marioara a lovit atat de bine incat a scapat maneta din mana…maneta a ajuns fix in monitor, facandu-l pe Mircica sa se inverzeasca mai ceva ca un brad de Craciun…Cioburile s-au imprastiat in intreaga camera, spre disperarea celor doi tovarasi de joc. Produsul a fost compromis, dar cum ar putea el sa isi invenineze dragostea copilariei numai datorita unui gest euforic necontrolat? Lacrimile Marioarei l-au convins ca fata merita iertata, in plus asemanarea ei cu Anna Kournikova e suficienta pentru a face uitat incidentul.

Nu cred ca ati uitat ca Gigel se afla in Berceni, pe strada Panselelor, unde locuieste in chirie Marioara. De asemenea, daca ati mai citit despre Gigel, trebuie sa va ganditi la ceva rau din partea lui. Cum se vede in videoclipul de mai jos, Gigel cu tricoul Guma Monday si cu alte trei domnisoare, printre care si Maricica dau o petrecere in pijamale, ceva in stilul videoclipului de mai jos.

Cum Gigel este mereu in pas cu tehnica, a aflat si el despre NintendoWii. Pentru ca reclamele au fost inventate pentru gigelime, sloganul de mai jos l-a convins imediat pe baiatul de Dorobanti ca trebuie sa isi achizitioneze numaidecat un asemenea dispozitiv:

Nintendo Wii Fit ofera o gama extrem de variata de exercitii in categoriile Aerobic, Musculatura, Yoga si Echilibru. Wii Fit este in prezent in topul celor mai bine vandute produse entertainment media in intreaga lume. Un succes fenomenal, cu peste 22 de milioane de unitati vandute pana acum.

Si cum v-am obisnuit, Gigel a reusit imediat sa obtina acest dispozitiv si l-a adus direct in apartamentul Marioarei, caci inca nu a platit intretinerea, iar Mos Onofrei nu i-a dat drumul la caldura. Si cum sa tina frumusetile Bucurestiului in frig si mai mult sa faca fitness? Fitness cu suba pe ele? Fitness cu fular si manusi?

La Marioara acasa e cald si bine…Echipati corespunzator, cu treninguri roz si tricouri cu inscrisuri aurii, fetele noastre incep exercitiile, in timp ce Gigel al nostru se incalzeste cu o tuica fiarta adusa de Costel acum doua saptamani. Burta lui trebuie remediata cu aceste exercitii. Avand asemenea companion, Gigel simte ca poate slabi…Gigel va slabi 3 kilograme inca din aceasta seara, cu conditia sa nu mai bea din minunatia aceea de tuica de la Costel.

“Wii Fit este un program complet de fitness, accesibil oricui. Pachetul contine o placa speciala (Wii Balance Board) pe care utilizatorul realizeaza toate miscarile, precum si un software de exercitii, specializat in urmarirea evolutiei corpului (cu trainer video, indici comparativi Body Mass Index raportat la varsta si inaltime, grafice detaliate, calendar de activitate, istoric, jurnal de activitate etc), se auzi glasul suav al Maricicai dupa 10 pahare de tequila.

Gigel nu se grabeste sa incerce acea placa. Deja se afla de doua  zile in Berceni si tuica de la Costel este pe terminate.

Pana la urma, Guma Man se decide sa foloseasca Wii Balance Board…Se aude soneria…La usa, Marioara! Ce-a urmat dupa, nu vreti sa stiti, probabil ca nici istoria, si nici macar ziarul Double Click nu vor consemna…

Acest articol a fost realizat ca parte integranta a concursului SuperBlog 2009, organizat de PC News.

Video games and consoles represent a huge chunk of holiday shopping every year and 2009 will be no different.  There’s probably never been a better selection of games available, with many manufacturers slashing prices for holiday bargain hunters.  If you’re a parent making your first foray into purchasing games and consoles, this posting will hopefully give you a little guidance.

Let’s start from scratch and discuss the three major video game systems out there.  Deciding which system is best for you will require some research as well as asking your kids what they prefer.  Sony’s Playstation 3  is our preferred favorite, if for no other reason than it offers the most features.  You can browse the web and use the console as a Blu-Ray disc player in addition to regular gaming capabilities, and at about $300 bucks, this is a great time to pick one up.  Xbox offers similar gaming features as the PS3 at a more reasonable price, as well as a ridiculous amount of hard drive space, perfect for those games that require a lot of memory.  And finally, Nintendo’s Wii  is the standard-bearer for the most interactive gaming experience available at a price cheaper than the PS3.  The Wii also offers the most gaming accessories, including the Wii Fit, which brings some exercise to the video game experience.

Now when it comes to games, most are available for each of the major gaming systems, with some exceptions of course.  If you’re shopping for kids, it’s important to pay attention to the ratings systems for video games, which dictate what ages that game is suitable for based on the game’s content.  Again, shop online and read reviews to learn the experiences of other parents who have purchased particular games that may feature violence and language.  With all that being said, here are our picks for the hottest video games for the 2009 holiday season:

Call of Duty 2: Modern Warfare

Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City

DJ Hero

FIFA Soccer 10

New Super Mario Bros

Assassin’s Creed 2

Beatles Rock Band

Tekken 6

Lego Star Wars

NBA 2K10

The American Council on Exercise (ACE) just announced the results of a university study of Wii Fit, and some game sites are crowing that ACE found the popular exergame “underwhelming” when it comes to calorie burn.

When played for 30 minutes, Wii Fit’s Free Run and Island Run burned an average of 165 calories–the most out of the six activities tested–and yielded the highest energy expenditures. Rhythm Boxing expended an average of 114 calories, followed by Super Hula Hoop, Advanced Step and Free Step at 111, 108 and 99 calories, respectively. In all instances, researchers found that performing the actual activity as opposed to the virtual has a significantly higher caloric expenditure. This is especially evident with conventional step aerobics, which burns almost 12 calories per minute by typically stepping up onto a six-inch high bench, verses Wii Fit’s Free Step and Advanced Step, which burn much less by stepping up onto the one- or one-and-a-half-inch balance pad provided. Similarly, its Rhythm Boxing activity burns just one third of the calories per minute of traditional boxing.

Never mind that Wii Fit players may be gaining strength, improved balance, flexibility or heaven forbid, are having fun exercising – apparently at the ACE, calories are all that count.  Incidentally, there has been a flurry of articles lately about how exercise has been oversold as a weight-loss tool.  This article in the New York Times cites a couple of studies where subjects lost less weight than one would expect from just an exercise program (hey, the fact they lost anything at all puts them way ahead of many an average American) and contrary to popular belief, the “afterburn” effect of burning more calories during the rest of your workout day is pretty much non-existent.

So exercise is a waste of time if it doesn’t blast away your buns and put you in skinny jeans by Friday?  Not necessarily, as the article points out:

Perhaps just as important, bear in mind that exercise has benefits beyond weight reduction. In the study of obese people who took up exercise, most became notably healthier, increasing their aerobic capacity, decreasing their blood pressure and resting heart rates, and, the authors write, achieving “an acute exercise-induced increase in positive mood,” leading the authors to conclude that, “significant and meaningful health benefits can be achieved even in the presence of lower than expected exercise-induced weight loss.”

Let’s hope that readers actually saw that part instead of clicking away in disgust after reading that exercise may not be the magic weight-loss pill.

Back to ACE, they also studied an exergame called Dancetown which is basically DDR adapted for old folks, with easier steps and classics like “Locomotion” in place of thrash electronica.  ACE found that stepping to Dancetown burned more calories per half-hour (136 on average) than all but the most intense of Wii Fit activities, Free Run and Island Run.

Exergaming gets a lot of flack for not being a six-pack-in-a-box, and one of the most simplistic knee-jerk criticisms is “go outside”.  Well, looking out my window at a cold rainy day, if you gave me a choice right now between the dance pad, a treadmill or the outdoors, I know which one I’m picking.  Your choice may be different, but (in my nonexpert opinion) it’s all good.

The scale was VERY angry with me today. I got nothing, nada, zilch, zip, zero, niente etc etc. I didn’t lose ANYTHING in the last week. Nope, nothing.

I know exactly why this is. No exercise, semi-badish eating and sitting on my ass. Since the flu shot incident I haven’t moved at all. I’ve watched my points but not been as strict with myself. I take this as a lesson, I NEVER EVER EVER EVER want to go through this again. Had I been perfectly on plan, exercising and what not then fine – no loss is no loss – my body just couldn’t lose that week ya know?. But, this is my own damn fault and I will not tolerate this anymore.

Today, back on plan. Count everything, exercise my butt off and lose these last 4 lbs so I can be in the 150’s by hopefully the end of Novemeber!