Nintendo's Wii Fit: Get Off the Couch and Laugh with this Gaming System

For people who have never tried the Wii, it can seem silly watching others play. The Wii is changing the way families see video games by getting us up off the couch and moving around. While playing fun and simple games, you are also working muscles that some of us have forgotten we had! Of course, not every Wii game is easy, and not every game gets you up and moving, but that just goes to show this one isn't just for the kids! If you are trying to increase your family interaction, this is a great system to have!

When you start playing your Wii, you may get a little embarrassed, but that won't last long! Soon you'll be immmersed in game play that gets your blood moving, and you won't even care that your spouse and kids are laughing. Besides, as soon as they take their turn, you'll be able to laugh at them too! You want to play tennis with your kids and you don't have time to go to a tennis court? Just turn on your Wii! Unless you are a seasoned athlete, you will feel the burn later! And if you're sore from playing yesterday, you can sit down and play one of the other games, like Mariokart racing.

In addition to the Wii, you can get an accessory call the Wii Fit board. This is a board divided in half down the middle. It senses weight, movement, and balance. If you've ever been to the chiropractor and they checked how much weight was on each foot, this is a similar idea. It tells you where your center of balance is. and the game tells you what kinds of exercises can help fix it. While using the Wii fit board, you'll be able to do Yoga poses, balancing games, aerobic steps, and strength training. Some of the strength exercises were too hard for me to do right away, so it can be challenging. Many of the games have an advanced level, so you don't have to worry that you'll get bored doing the same level over and over.

Realistically, anything that gets us off the couch these days is a good thing. With obesity declared an epidemic in the U.S., everyone needs to find something they can change in their lives. We need to get moving more often, and eat regularly in smaller portions. We need to get plenty of good sleep, and regular exercise can help. With everything else we try to cram into our lives, exercise should at least be fun! It's also a plus that it can include family time.

Everyone needs to laugh at themselves once in a while! A sense of humor has been shown to not only lengthen our lives, but to enrich the quality of our lives. So go out, get yourself a Wii, and start laughing! I bet you'll be thanking me shortly after for the recommendation.