susiej/reviews

Just one of the phrases I’ve been hearing repeated lately by my coach for the Wii.

I’m into week three of my compensated review from BlogHer and EA Sports Active for the Wii.

Here are my measurements to date:

• Height 62″
• Bust 35″
• Waist: 29.5″ — dropped 1.5 inches!!
• Hips: 38.5″
• Upper thigh 20″ — dropped one!
• Weight: Two weeks ago: 133
• Last week: 129 !!!!
• Today! 127!!! Six pounds lost so far!

I will add that this week has been one of the most stressful weeks I’ve had for a very long time; so this may have something to do with it. But still, I am enjoying my little 30 minute workouts with the Wii, and seeing if I can beat the little calorie burn sessions. I seem to have no problem going over the calorie burn rate — and I am not sure how EA Sports Active for the Wii figures that out, but it sure feels great when I see those calories burning.

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I’ve spent a little over a week now with my my 30-day challenge, as part of my compensated review from BlogHer and EA Sports Active for the Wii.  Following the lead of Fluid Pudding, I took measurements and started calculating how many pounds I’ve gained. To do this, I incorporated the Wii Balance Board from Wii Fit.  Wii Fit does a great job of measuring your core strength, as well as your weight, and I wish the Sports Active would incorporate these calculations into your personalized 30-day challenge.  It doesn’t, which means you have to switch back and forth between Wii Fit and Sports Active. For example, I wish the 30-day challenge would incoporate your current weight into the goal, and help you calculate the number of calories you should burn in a given workout. It doesn’t; or I haven’t figured that out yet.

The thing about weight is that it can be a tricky thing; muscles weighs more than fat.  So while you may feel yourself getting smaller, and your clothes getting looser, your weight may actually stay stagnant or, in fact rise. A real indicator of whether or not you are getting in shape is to take measurements — because while muscle weighs more than fat, it takes up less space.

Sports Active is directed toward strength training as a way to stay fit; so muscle (especially in my weak arms and shoulders) is on its way. Unfortunately, I didn’t think to take measurements first, like Fluid Pudding did. But I have them documented now, I am interested to see if I loose any inches as I move through my 30 day challenge.

• Height 62″
• Bust 35″
• Waist: 31″
• Hips: 39″
• Upper thigh 21″
• Weight: Two weeks ago: 133
• Today: 129 !!!!

I’m pleased with the results, obviously. But water weight gain and other fluctutations can make a big difference from week to week on just a few pounds. The real key is to see how my measurements stack up toward the end of the workout.  I am enjoying the challenge; it’s keeping me focused on on-track, especially when the boys say, “Mom, are you ready to do your wokout today? We’ve got it all set up for you!”

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As I officially started my 30-day challenge, as part of my compensated review from BlogHer and EA Sports Active for the Wii, I’m usually doing the workouts with an audience as the boys are now school-free. Besides, if there is a TV or a Wii game on in this house, all of the males in my house must be present. And you know what, I’m fine with that. I let them synchronize the Wii balance board, and pick out my hair color and body type. (Actually, I did that one, as the boy’s don’t understand the power of postive thinking… pick out the skinniest chick on the screen, as something to aspire to.)  My little Wii person looks pretty good – I’m wearing a blue t-shirt, hat and sunglasses of course, and a cute hat; outfit courtesy of the boys.

So, as I’m working my way through the in-line skating, which asks me to literally jump into the air, as if I’m jumping off the ramp, (actually, it’s kind of fun), my boys, experts as they are on these video games, start explaining to me that all I have to do is “lift the numchuck up in the air, and then you don’t have to jump!”

Let me explain: The numchuck is actually stuck in a little pocket in the leg band that is velcroed around my upper thigh. This allows The Wii to track how high, and even if, I’m jumping. If I pull out the numchuck from its little pocket, and lift my arm up in the air, Wii will think I am actually jumping, when I would in fact just be lifting my hand.

Of course, this wouldn’t be as much fun as actually jumping the ramps, and nor would it burn as many calories; so it’s counterproductive to the goal here. Although, definitely, the lazy way around things.

So, when I’m done, the boys take their turn and give the in-line skating a whirl, using only their hands. And Guess what? The Wii knows you’re cheating. The wrist has a way of naturally spinning that numchuck around in a way that it knows the thigh can’t do… and pretty soon, the coach starts admonishing you with messages like these: “You’re going to have to put a bit more effort in this if you want to start seeing results.”

What a slam. So, just keep the numchuck in your little pocket, and do the routines like you’re supposed to. Because, the Wii knows if you’re cheating. No getting around it.

Check out the progress of the rest of the BlogHer reviewers and enter to win one of 5 copies of EA Sports Active.

Please check out the official EA Sports official site for more information: EA Sports Active official site.

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During the sweltering months of the summer, when backyard barbeques full of sumptuous grilled meats, dips and frozen treats tempt my palette, the last thing I want to do is go for a run. While we may think that the Winter holidays are the time when we gain the extra pounds, the heat of the summer pushes the idea of working out right out of my mind, and sets me right back down into my lounge chair so I can eat summer’s delicious bounty.

Thankfully, this summer I’m participating in a compensated review from BlogHer and EA Sports Active for the Wii.

This 30-day challenge will put me directly in front of my TV, where I’ll participate in a variety of Wii cardio activities, like in-line skating, boxing, and of course, running. Once a day for 30 days. (See below for a chance to win your own copy of EA Sports Active for the Wii.)

Of course, because it’s June, this also means I’ll be at the lake house. The Wii is portable. Just a few plugs unhooked, and we’re set to go.

The EA Sports Active for the Wii 30-day challenge will collect information about my weight and height and devise a custom workout plan for me to follow, with a personal trainer to help teach me the exercises. Each minute, I’ll be able to see exactly how many calories I’m burning during the workout.

The best part? Variety. Each day, I’ll have a different customized workout, with variety. I won’t be bored, plus the exercises will target a different set of specific muscle groups each day.

Throughout the month, I’ll continue to eat healthy meals continue my yoga routines through out challenge. (I do have to stay sane.)

I’m not the only one getting fit this summer. Check out the other reviewers, and get five chances to win a copy of EA Sports Active.

UPDATE Week I:

Read here, about my Week I of the 30-day challenge: The boys tried to get me to cheat…

Week II Update:

Guess How Much I Weigh Now? I took measurements and started calculating how many pounds I’ve gained. Read more here:

Week III Update:

It’s official. I am now “Poetry in Motion!”

Check out the progress of the rest of the BlogHer reviewers and enter to win one of 5 copies of EA Sports Active.

Please check out the official EA Sports official site for more information: EA Sports Active official site.

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In my house, the boys, ages 5-13, pour over and study the clear, full-color, detailed pictures of the crowds that surrounded the White House during President Obama’s inaguration. The pictures are captured, full and complete with the perfect narration to engage children, in Obama: The Historic Journey: Young Reader’s Edition (New York Times Book)

The text answers the questions any young child has about the President.  What kind of childhood did he have?  What did he do for fun?  What was life like for him as a kid?

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I’m giving away a $20 Fandango gift certificate to see Inkheart, based on the best-selling trilogy by Cornelia Funke, BROADCAST: Inkheart is a family-friendly fantasy adventure that sends a father and daughter on a quest through worlds both real and imagined.

It’s in theaters nationwide on January 23th.

Leave a comment if you’d like to win. I’ll draw via random.org on Jan. 20.

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Searing pain. That’s the way I remember earaches from my own childhood. The only way I found relief was by applying a warm heating pad, pressed tight to my ear. After a couple of days, the antibiotics were administered, and I was pain free again; for a few months, until the cycle continued.

Today, pediatricians are a bit more reluctant to dole out the slips that supposedly gave us relief from the throbbing pain. The reasons are well founded. According to the health blog at the New York Times, “When antibiotics are given, kids are a bit more likely to get another ear infection sooner. And each time a child takes a course of antibiotics, future infections become harder to treat.”

Still, our heart aches at 2 a.m. for our offspring who is reeling in pain — and there’s nothing we can do to soothe them.

This just happened to me a few nights ago. My favorite pediatrician, the nationally acclaimed Dr. Sears (who wrote the Manual on Babies and Toddlers) says that Hyland’s Earache Drops are clinically proven to reduce earache symptoms in the first 48 hours of the symptoms.

My son, who was just recovering from a two-week persistent cough, complained about an earache, of course at 11 p.m. I put four drops of Hyland’s Earache Drops in his ear. The next morning, the pain was gone, but his ear felt “clogged.” I called his pediatrician, and told her I had given him the Hyland’s Ear Ache Drops, which she said was the best thing I could have done. For the “water” in his ear, she suggested that he take a children’s decongestant. I waited a day, and soon, the ear cleared up without the decongestant.

It might be a wise choice to pick up a bottle of Hyland’s next time you’re out; and just keep it for emergencies like this one. Despite being “natural” the drops are sitting on the shelves of your local pharmacy in the eye/ear section, and are easy to spot. (Of course they’re also available at the natural food stores too.)

To see what other Moms think of Hyland’s, visit AlphaMom.

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While some might associate food with love; I associate cooking with love.  I adore cooking. If the kitchen is clean, and it’s not bedtime, then I should be cooking.

The kids, I’ve noticed, could care less about what I make.  In fact; they get more warm and fuzzy when I open the Chef Boyardee can, rather than grandma’s recipe for egg noodles.

And that’s the key. I noticed what matters. As much as I hate to hang up my wooden spoon, the stress of hearing “I’m not eating this” does little to forge the bond I want between parent and child.

So, in lieu of home-cooked meals, I’m laying the cookbook aside a bit more, and spending more time opening cans, giving me more time to sit at the table and play Monopoly with my kids. Less dishes; less frantic rushing; and Mmmm Mmmm good.

So, what are you doing to make your life a little less like a circus?  Parent Bloggers Network is sponsoring a blog blast with more great ideas, in cooperation with  BigTent. Big Tent is partnering with Compass Life and Business Designs CEO and founder, Kimberly Fulcher, to offer a special “Get your act together for 2009″ promo. For any group leaders who start a group on or move to BigTent by December 31, Compass will provide a free one month membership ($19 value) to Compass Coaching Network, and all new group leaders will be entered in a grand prize drawing for a “Life Makeover” private coaching series ($1500 value). Groups must be of at least ten members.

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The primary reason, I think, that my boys love playing with their wooden Brio train set for hours and hours at a time is because this track gives them the ability to re-invent the track every time they play. It’s not just a track; it’s an entirely new world.  Interchangeable parts, accessories and trains are all compatible, leaving an infinite array of combinations, letting kids build an entire world from their imagination.

Hot Wheels seems to have thankfully figured out how important the power creativity is to kids. The Parent Bloggers Network sent me two sets from the Hot Wheels Trick Tracks, and I’m happy to report that these tracks are no longer stand-alone. The trick tracks from one set can be combined with tracks from another set. The long continuous track has been replaced with smaller tracks, that join together with other sets. However, not all Hot Wheels cars will work with the trick track set. With this new track system, we now have the starting point for creativity and imagination to run wild with a boy’s most intriguing fascination: a fast car.

I mean, REALLY fast. Just watching a car fly through the  Mattel Hot Wheels Power Loop Stunt Zone makes me long for some kind of mini-speedometer to track the speed as it flies out of the motorized speed booster, through the 360-degree loop. My video is currently unavailable… but is coming soon. I’m happy to report, that this toy seems to cross all age barriers; all five boys, 42, 12, 10, 6 and 5 — were engaged. And, with the awesome abundance of track we now have, all five of them were able to build their own respective contributions to the overall track.  For the Hot Wheels Power Loop Stunt Zone, three speed-junkie stunts captivated my boy’s attention:

1. The power loop stunt is two — not one– vertical loops that cross in the sky, forming an “X”. How many minutes do you think it took the boys to line the cars up on separate tracks so they would meet and crash? Exactly, three minutes after set-up. Surprisingly, all the cars have survived.
2. The mega drop uses that familiar clamp that you attach to a table, to allow the car to take an almost vertical drop. Yes, the car stays right on, and doesn’t fall off the track during its descent. I love the clamp — because the possibilities of placement around the house are endless.  The bed, the top of the stairs, the windowsill ledge. Only problem with the window ledge is that they were thinking the track would run outside the window from the second floor!  (I am a BUSY woman. I can’t leave those boys alone for a second.)
3. A rubber band (ingenious in its simplicity) launches a spring-like action that launches the car into a 360-degree loop. (A spare rubber band is included.)

This set requires two D batteries; and the set is VERY loud.  But, of course, I’m used to the sound of a wooden train; this set really rocked the house.

On a much quieter note, HOT WHEELS Trick Tracks Triple Stunt Starter Set was quieter, but much trickier to set-up. I loved the challenge; surprisingly, they seemed to have finally realized that the quickest way to playing is to cooperate, listen to ideas and cooperatively build the entire track together. Once everything was out of the box, and the track laid out, just the way they wanted it, it didn’t take long for the boys to to link this track to the Power Loop Stunt Zone. The Triple Stunt Starter Set includes this HUGE crane. As you can see here, this track also includes the 360-centrifugal-force loop, and the crane that adds that extra level of I-can’t-wait-to-destroy-something intensity that boys seem to crave.

Once, the boys said, “Wow… this train track you built makes me wish I was a train.”  Now, the 360-loop “is described as “totally wicked, and it makes me wish I were a car.” If you’re looking for a Christmas toy that will wow your boys; and still give them the power to create, Hot Wheels Trick Tracks just might be your ticket this Christmas.

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This is my goal here: I’m here to eliminate humdrum holiday get-togethers where everyone sits around and watches football.  Instead, you’re going to purchase this, Boogie Superstar with Microphone (click right now, so you’ll have it in time!) and everyone will have a really great time, and burn lots of calories.

Since our investment in the Wii last Christmas, and the Lego Starwars game, our Wii  has turned into one of those old-fashioned video game that keeps kids glued in front of the TV, with their bums firmly planted on the sofa.  There has been no “up-off-the-couch-Wii-action,” even though this was why I invested in the Wii in the first place. Time to move on, Lego Starwars, we’re ready for a new Wii game.

The Parent Bloggers Network and Electronic Arts sent me Boogie Superstar with Microphone, just in time.  This was exactly what we needed to get the boys up, off the couch and moving again.  Here’s what I loved about this game.

• You’ll have as much fun creating your characters as you will “performing.”

They even let you pick out your hair style.

• You can think of Boogie Superstar in much the same way, only more fun, as your Wii Fit. There are 16 dance moves to master; they get progressively harder as you go along.  Who doesn’t like a karaoke machine with intelligence?  Although, the dance moves are a bit goofy, and my boys really thought some were too “weird.” I’m talking about the chicken, and the bicycle pump.  Although, they did like the tornado. Still, they were moving again, and at least trying the moves.
• Even though it’s a Wii game, the microphone DOES come with a cord. To me, this, was a plus.  When I was little, I pretended I had a real microphone, with a cord when I was singing along with David Cassidy.  While some of you may be disappointed that the wireless Wii game left that cord attached, just get in touch with your inner child and love it.
• With only one microphone, duets are tough to accomplish. You may need to invest in a second microphone if your family is into that sort of thing.
• I love Maroon 5. So happy it’s on the list — however, some lyrics are inappropriate for kids. (Check this out first, before you start whipping it out.)  Still, here’s just a few of the songs to choose from:

Elevator” – Flo Rida featuring Timberland

“I Don’t Want to Be in Love (Dance Floor Anthem)” – Good Charlotte

“Wake Up” – Hilary Duff

“Hold On”, “SOS”, “That’s Just the Way We Roll”, “When You Look Me in the Eyes” [remix] – The Jonas Brothers

“No One” – Alicia Keys

“Take You There” – Sean Kingston

“Girlfriend” – Avril Lavigne

“Bleeding Love” – Leona Lewis

“Shake It” – Metro Station

“What You Got” – Colby O’Donis

“I Don’t Think About It” – Emily Osment

“Nine in the Afternoon” – Panic at the Disco

“Hot N Cold” – Katy Perry

“Jump to the Rhythm” – Jordan Pruitt

“Don’t Stop the Music”, “Shut Up and Drive” – Rihanna

“Yahhh!” – Soulja Boy Tell Em

• You earn points to get to the songs. (Nothing in this life is free!)  Like I said, this is a karaoke machine with a brain., as it remembers who you are, and where you stand.
• I wish I could tell you set-up was easy.  But I can’t — I assume it was, because the boys had the whole game system out of the package and installed before I even made it into the room. So,  if you have kids around, set-up is easy.
• This is the ultimate Christmas Party game.  You can actually set up a competition for an “American Idol-like competition.  Seriously, this would be much more fun than sitting around opening while elephant gifts every year, wouldn’t it?
• The price, at $56.99 is not outrageous, and actually comes in below some of the other popular Wii games, and it’s loaded with fun.

So, hurry up and order, Boogie Superstar, and save yourself from boring holiday dinners.

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