24 The Observer Health Magazine The Observer Health Magazine 25

Family

WitH one faMily trying to lose WeigHt and tHe otHer trying to build strengtH, HoW Would tHey fare WHen tHey caMe Head to Head in tHe ultiMate cHallenge of fitness and strengtH, tHe Wii fit-off?

Caspar Llewellyn-Smith was leading the unhealthy lifestyle of a music journalist — too many nights spent boozing at gigs and no time at the gym. At 37, he decided it was time to get fit. But he had one problem. He hated the gym. He absolutely loathed it. And his wife Zoe was no encouragement — she had a phobia of physical activity, too. It was the children who saved them in the end. Energetic Sam, 9, and Esme, 7, convinced dad to get them a Wii Fit and slowly they began to realise that exercise could actually be fun, and that they might still stand a chance of getting in shape just like their kids.

Vanessa Thorpe had put on a bit of weight after having two children and then she discovered her husband Martin was borderline obese. But, as arts correspondent at The Observer, her life was a hectic whirl of gallery openings and events and eating too many canapes, and the rest of the time she was busy with Felix, 4 and Victor, 3. How was she ever going to fit in any exercise? Then she discovered the Wii Fit and now has to fight the rest of the family for her turn on it. ‘Martin is very competitive, and Felix wants to go on it all the time — I have to snatch my moments when they’re out,’ she says.

The families describe the positive effects of use on their wellbeing:

Caspar Llewellyn-Smith: ‘It’s brought us together as a family.’

Zoe Llewellyn-Smith: ‘It’s really changed the way I view exercise, I actually put on my running shoes and went to the park the other day.’

Vanessa Thorpe: ‘I already think my posture has improved from doing the yoga, I’m eating less and generally trying to be more healthy.’

Martin Thorpe: ‘This is totally made for me. Now I manage to fit some exercise into my day and am less sedentary.’

Felix Thorpe: ‘I want to learn how to ski properly now!’

Vanessa Thorpe:‘When the boys are out at

football on Saturday I can fit in some yoga before my

“sacred” Sunday bath, it’s good to spend some time on my wellbeing.’

Caspar Llewellyn-Smith:‘Since using the Wii fit, I’ve

felt more inclined to take my bike to work in the morning.’

Caspar Llewellyn-Smith‘i’m sure this isn’t a great score, but i’m amazed i even did this well. if anyone saw me they’d laugh at me wobbling.’Score: 40Rank: amateur

Sam Llewellyn-Smith‘i may only be amateur at the moment, but i’m much better at this than anybody else in the family!’Score: 43.88 secondsRank: amateur

Esme Llewellyn-Smith‘i’m rubbish at this, i’m much better at the jogging and the yoga. you should have let me do the yoga, i’m as good as mum.’Score: 32 spins

Zoe Llewellyn-Smith‘i was a bit iffy about the whole Wii concept, but i’m enjoying it so far, not least because it seems i’m quite good at it.’Score: 87Rank: Yoga trainer

Martin Thorpe‘a lot trickier than it looks. after a while i started to get the hang of it. once i started to do better i got slightly obsessive.’Score: 88Rank: advanced

Felix Thorpe‘i’m not very good at this because i got penalties for not going through the arrows – i kept hitting the flags. i prefer ski jump.’ Score: 1 min 20 seconds Rank: amateur

Felix Thorpe‘i was a bit wobbly doing this and think my score is really bad. but i like it when my brother’s Mii throws the hoops to me, it’s really fun.’Score: 41 spins

Vanessa Thorpe‘i get the most satisfaction from the yoga definitely, and am delighted with my score and rank.’Score: 83Rank: Yoga trainer

face– off

LLEwELLYn-SMiThS ThORpES

so, which family has used the Wii to best effect, pulling out all the stops to achieve the best scores, length of poses and lightning fast times to notch up the most activity wins? Llewellyn-Smiths win two activitiesThorpes win two activitiesRESULT: A TiE

The results:

Living with the Wii fit

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The Wii Fit system including the Wii Balance Board costs about £69, the Wii console costs about £179. FOr MOrE INFOrMATION ON WII FIT AND HEALTHy LIVINg VISIT guArDIAN.CO.uk/WIIFITHEALTHyLIFESTyLE

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