It has been a while since we have touched on the topic of personal health, so I wanted to share with you my new favorite way to battle a dormant winter.

Last year, Santa delivered a Wii to our house (and the houses of countless others).  Within a few months we had worn out the Tennis, Bowling, and Golf and thus became largely disinterested in the gaming system.   This time around, Christmas brought Wii Fit Plus.  Originally touted as a gift for my wife, I eventually gave it a try and have since become hooked.

Of course I will always encourage exercising outdoors when possible, but this is great when the elements prevent such measures.  With Birmingham hovering around the twenties for the past few weeks, I was more than happy to move indoors for a stint.  When riding my stationary bike gets old, it is great to have an alternative.

One of the biggest challenges with maintaining an active lifestyle is holding yourself accountable.  We are all human, of course, and more often than not, fall short of our ambitious goals.  Thankfully, Wii Fit can be your impetus to stay the course.  It will monitor your activity, keep you on a schedule, and assist in working towards a goal.

If you want to casually play some of the more entertaining games (while burning a few calories), this is a lot of fun.  For the serious folks, there are plenty of intense workouts that are quite challenging.   A virtual trainer ensures that you know how to do each exercise correctly.

Admittedly, if you happen to be getting ready for a marathon or competitive event, I would not rely too heavily on the Wii Fit for your preparation.  However, the strength and balance programs will serve as a wonderful supplement to your workouts.  As someone who considers himself a decent athlete, it was shocking to see how off-balance I really am.   Because of this, my “Wii Fit Age” had me pegged close to 40 (I am 26, btw).  The challenge of bettering myself in this area has been great motivation, and I can already feel a difference in daily activities.

So, whether you are the serious athlete, recreational gamer, or simply want a fun way to stay in shape, I highly recommend the Wii Fit (or Wii Fit Plus).  Whatever you do, be active and enjoy a healthy lifestyle.

DoGood!

Matt

Feel free to email me with any questions, comments, or thoughts (matt@DoGoodedness.com).

Photo by Kelvin255 via Flickr