Just when you get jaded, something new comes along and restores your interest in making a buck online. Enter, HomePage Friends, a company that pays you to surf the Internet using Yahoo. I will be brief as I have a video review but here are the major points you need to know:
You install a small plugin into your web browser, works with IE6/7 and Firefox
You search using the box on the toolbar in the upper right hand corner of your browser or set your home page to their search page
Each search on average pays 2.5 pence, which is roughly 5 cents at current exchange rates
The program does payout. It pays at 20GBP, every 45 days. Payment is thru Paypal or UK Bank Transfer
Currently, you need a referral to join and download the plugin effectively without error. (see link below)
At the time of editing this post, HPF has around 110,000 members
Click here to sign upand start making some money doing what you already do! Watch the video. Enjoy! Note the video is a little out of date with the recent renaming of the company to HomePage Friends, but suffice to say, it still works the same way, just with Yahoo instead of Google now.
I have made a short video on how to do some faster running (Wind Sprints) using Wii Fit. I believe you have to exert yourself to see any benefit with Wii Fit and this shows how to do so using your Wii-Mote. Check it out below.
It’s Day two and I’ve logged 2 hours and 5 minutes into Wii Fit so far. I’ve unlocked about 15 new activities including my new favorite, Wii Fit Rhythm Boxing. The Rhythm boxing reminds me of a slower paced Taebo with feedback so it feels more like a game. I think Billy Blanks should produce a Taebo Cardio Boxing game for the Wii. Now THERE is an untapped market! Imagine slipping on the “Wii Gloves” and boxing?
Anyway I digress, Before getting started today I weighed in 1.1lbs lighter than yesterday, wearing the same clothing and all. Yes I realize this could be water weight BUT it’s important to measure yourself once a day, everyday to see a trend. My goal is 20lbs in a month so we’ll see if we can meet the goal
Here are a couple videos to see my weigh in and my summary for Day 2. So far I am having fun and I’ve discovered I can break a sweat doing wind sprints on the running game, now that I know the game keeps up with your pace as long as you stay in a rhythm.
Wii Fit: An Exercise Revolution (Video review at the bottom of the page)
When the Nintendo Wii came out a little over a year ago, Nintendo took a large gamble on appealing to the casual gaming audience. Now, after 22 million units sold, Nintendo is looking to get more people off of the couch and into simple interactive gaming. Enter “Wii Fit,” Nintendo’s newest game that is based around Health and Fitness.
What’s the cost?
The cost of entry is a little steep by gaming standards. It costs $89.99 retail for the balance board and the Wii Fit game bundled together. Overall though, you get your money’s worth as you will see. Due to the immense popularity of Wii Fit, retail stores have sold out all across the United States. As such, many are being listed on Ebay. In my opinion, anything under $120 (with shipping including of course) is still worth the price if you cannot find the game in your area.
What’s included in the Wii Fit package?
Upon opening my package I found the following:
1 Wii Fit Wireless Balance Board, capable of withstanding 330lbs of weight
4 AA batteries
Wii Fit Balance Board Instruction Manual
Wii Fit Game with instruction manual
4 Balance Board Extensions (for use on thick carpets)
Is it easy to use?
Yes! Pretty much install the batteries, flip the board over and follow the instructions to “Sync” the wireless Wii Fit balance board to your Wii. Once that is done, the game pretty much takes you through setting up your profile by Weighing you, calculating your BMI and measuring your balance. This provides a starting point where you can then set a goal (2 weeks or 1 month) for lowering your weight. The entire process took 5 minutes.
What about the games, are they fun?
Not all of the games are available at the beginning. There are basic exercises like Yoga poses and Push-ups. Then there are aerobic exercises like Jogging and Hula-hooping. Finally, there are balance exercises like Skiing and Tight-Rope walking. Each minute you spend working out in Wii Fit nets you a Wii Fit Cash, which is used to unlock more exercises and games. In the hour of total time I played Wii-Fit, I unlocked 6 new activities. As you get better at each activity, new options open such as new running trails or multiple hula-hooping. There is even a step-aerobics class in the game.
My favorites so far are the Running trails on the island (good calorie burners, really make you work up a sweat if you do it right) and Hula-hooping which surprisingly works your abs pretty well if you do 3 rounds in a row. I’m having fun with it so far and I like how it tracks your progress!
What about the Wii Fit Balance Board, is it accurate?
If you stick to the instructions and let the board calibrate, it is VERY sensitive and accurate. It tracks all of your push-ups and leg lifts all while providing real-time balance information on screen. Balance is important in Wii Fit because it improves posture and somewhat teaches good form on doing exercises. Hula-hooping works almost exactly how it would in real life. Running is tracked by the Wii-mote only but also allows for 2 players to run at the same time. You can place the wii-mote in your hand and run, but you can also place it in your pocket and it will track your steps. After 2 minutes of running, you get your rhythm down and can pace yourself pretty well. Overall, I’m impressed with the motion tracking. It’s much much better than when the Wii First game out (WarioWare anyone?)
What is Wii Fit’s Learning Curve?
I really believe that Wii Fit can be used by everyone. I think even a 5 year old could pick up the activities. People who are morbidly obese (BMI >40 ) should start out lightly with the beginner exercises to gauge their comfort level, however most overweight people should be able to get off the couch and jump right in to Wii Fit. The software is designed so anyone can pick it up and play, even non-gamers.
Wii Fit for Weight Loss?
Knowing what I do now from my 4 years of medical school, theoretically if you spend an hour a day with Wii-Fit, you will see some weight loss if you follow a normal diet. However the proof is in the pudding and I won’t pass judgement until a month from now when I re-weigh myself. I am absolving myself to lose 20lbs of “Medical school weight gain” in this next month before starting residency. Everything will be tracked with Wii Fit.
