Forum topic: Nintendo Wii Fit: A way to get me exercising?

I've been diagnosed with ADD since I was in elementary school. I've taken Ritalin up until I was in 8th grade and the Doctor thought I had "grown out of it". Then things went downhill in High School, never really connected it with ADD, just laziness, lack of motivation and a loss of desire to aspire. This hit me pretty bad.. (why am I giving my whole history?)... Anyhow, my junior year of H.S. I went through counseling for my depression (because I pretty much slept through school, went home and slept at home, and didn't have a social life)... was given Welbutrin and I was encouraged to go biking (something I enjoyed doing in my early years of childhood as I would lose and find my way in the town as an adventure, that and I had wrecked a couple of cars making it a little costly for me to actually drive for my independence). So I made it a habit to go about 10 miles every couple of days... I really do believe the exercise had helped me. Since, H.S. I've not really done anything consistently as far as exercise though. I have a nice bike though, but I can never bring myself to ride it... not sure why. I worked out with a friend off and on for about 6 months (with a years subscription to the Gym... ouch for the wasted money) so I don't think a gym membership would be the answer, also considering it took about a total of three hours out of my days! I'm almost thirty, I'm not currently taking any prescribed medication... but beginning to think it might be a good idea... but I still enjoy video games occasionally (I try to limit my time on them)... so I have a Nintendo Wii, and I know the Wii Fit will be coming out this Summer. What it took me three paragraphs to actually say is... Does this thing look like a possible easy way to incorporate exercise into a short routine that can be done daily? Of'course, but I don't really trust myself to get it and then actually use it for as long as I need to use it (a lifetime). So what's an ADD guy to do? Anyhow, I've been reading Delivered from Distraction (about a chapter or so a day) and listening to Driven to Distraction... the experience has been eye opening, as I realize there's more effect of it on my adulthood than I realized before. Thankfully, I have a loving, patient and yet frustrated wife. I also have a job that is currently patient with me as well. But, with all things, I really need to improve on both of these fronts if I'm to really succeed at family life and work. What's more my lack of confidence plagues me in everything I do (or try to do)! Anyhow, I really should get back to work! Grrr... stupid distractions.

Comments

sparquay's picture
Not waiting for a reply, I went ahead and reserved a Wii Fit for myself at my favorite gaming emporium (mostly because I have a friend who is the manager there). The reservations sold out in U.K. within the first 24 hours... not so here though. Wonder what the American difference is? It doesn't come out until May 19th... so I'll guinea pig myself for a while on it, and hopefully be able to report a marked difference in my attention, confidence, depression, etc. I guess I could alway pop pills, but I'm still a little weary of that mode of treatment (sorry... not knocking anyone who does, it's just not for me... and I'm not a Scientologist, before you even ask), especially after reading the chapters on taking Medication in Delivered from Distraction (funny how I flip flop on that issue as I read though, but I always side on uneasiness of it). Anyhow... I better get back to work (it's not really getting back if I'm only just starting, is it? DOH!)... wow, is that the time already? What happened?!?!

Please share your experience with us all after you've tried it for a while!

Melissa Orlov

Sounds great but I don't think it matters "what" the thing is that a person uses but that it is used consistently. There in lies the problem for us ADDers. I have had one change since my diagnoses (6 or7 months ago). I have used my ability to hyperfocus to do alot of research on ADHD. The non-medicinal treatments are listed in the book your are reading. You can skip ahead, they are towards the back. The only thing that I have found that works for me IS hyperfocus. If I want to exercise everyday then I need to eat, sleep and breathe exercise. Example: Wear a pedometer so I am always "attending" to the fact that all my steps count. 2) Read everything I can on the subject. 3) do it, to excess (exercise, that is) and think about how everything I eat relates to energy or vitamin imput, etc.. The point that I an TRYING to make here is that hyperfocus(obsession?) is the only thing that I have found that actually works for me to accomplish a long term goal.
Liz