I was talking to my publisher, Nicole, the other day about all of the new coverage of the latest in video games – the Nintendo Wii.
Now I’m not much of a video game player myself, but when you start hearing that people are considering this exercise and some have even attributed weight loss to playing with this system — well I definitely wanted to find out more.
After talking to a few friends with younger kids it does sound like some of the games you can get do make you get up and get off the couch. The gimmick with this new system is that the controller detects motion — so say if you had a tennis game, you would actually be on your feet, swinging the controller as if it were a tennis racquet.
So sure, if you were going to spend an hour every night, sitting on the couch playing video games, switching over to the Wii which makes you get up and move could definitely help you shed a pound or two. Just don’t expect it to be the miracle weight loss tool you’ve been looking for.
I was telling Nicole all of this and as it turns out one of her good friends Mike just recently purchased a Wii — to use for rehabilitation.
That’s right – rehabilitation.
Her friend suffers from epilepsy and recently spent a number of weeks in the hospital for tests, which resulted in him switching medications.
After this switch he wasn’t able to drive for at least six weeks, and of course there were a number of side effects — including dizziness, and just being weak from having spent so much time cooped up in a hospital.
So Mike went out and bought himself a Wii. He also picked up a sports game, where you need to be on your feet to play. Most of the game is pretty low-intensity with bowling, tennis and golf. Or you can work up to boxing, which Mike reports really does get your heart pumping.
Mike has faithfully been using his Wii everyday, and feels very much bask to his old self.
Now of course, there is no clinical studies behind this — yet. Though I won’t be surprised if I hear about one starting up sometime soon. But if you’re looking for an alternative way to do a little rehab in the comfort — and safety — of your own home, maybe borrowing the kids Wii will help you out.
If nothing else, you’ll have a little fun which is always healthy!
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Tags: exercise, quick weight loss
