Can you get fit in front of your tv?
..getting FIT, reshaping your body is a little more involved than many would like to believe.
To help demonstrate this point, I chose a Wii Fit parody video which I posted yesterday – so just in case you did not see it, PLEASE do take a look.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iYBmAVuBns
Great points about this video -
There is no “video game” solution that has been designed with your best interest in mind.
Do not lose sight of the fact that this is a hugely successful gaming company.
And just like we have seen with certain examples in the Food Manufacturing company – money is the #1 priority.
With rising obesity rates, what better product to create – especially when video games have been blamed for the reason our children are suffering from weight gain.
As I did a little research into Wii Fit – I came across this interesting statement:
This was made in regard to the release of Wii Fit in America
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Nintendo has shipped approximately 500,000 copies of Wii Fit to North America, and about 2 million units to Europe. By sending four times as many units to Europe, they are maximizing profits, which at the moment are pretty incredible.
Besides, it’s not as if those American waistlines are going anywhere anytime soon. “They know that Americans will be just as fat a few months from now when Nintendo will have more units available,” Pachter said.
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Really makes you reconsider, right?
Taking responsibility for our health and fitness – and most importantly the health and fitness of our children – requires not just the know-how but also the ability to recognize trends like these and taking a moment THINK about the consequences of relying on them as THE solution.
Disclaimer:
IF you choose to use the Wii Fit – please do so for entertainment purposes. You simply cannot get an effective fat burning resistance training and interval session out of playing a game in front of your TV. This is just something Fun to do in Moderation.
Like the video sarcastically points out – which I love – there simply is no substitute for getting OUTSIDE, moving freely, breathing the fresh air, soaking up the sunshine, appreciating life – real life.
I feel especially strong towards the use of video games in our children’s lives especially after Tyler’s seizure in the spring.
He is now quite well versed that such activities are of little to no use to him…and not just for health reasons. He KNOWS what true play is all about, what the benefits are and thus has adapted to the “physcial culture” – a term Brian Grasso, the world’s Youth Fitness Expert has coined and is now on a mission to introduce this vital concept back into the lives of our children.
Tyler knows that once homework is done – it is time to Play!
Do you remember what REAL play was like?
Last night we even decided to leave the house and go hit golf balls – watching Tyler put his all into that club, making contact with the ball and getting it into the air – PRICELESS.
Oh and I MUST share this video….(I received a Flip video camera as a gift when I went to Orlando – so I have been filming left and right)…2 nights ago, Tyler ran into the house – almost too excited to speak….”Mom, you gotta come out here and see this!“
There is tremendous benefit through the act of discovery when free play is an option.
There simply is no substitute for these types of experiences.
As the holidays approach, some admitted to having this on their gift list.
Well if you have an extra $100 (depending on where you live) and wish to add to the entertainment center – go for it. I am not at all saying there is zero benefit to some of the offerings Wii Fit packages up for you.
However, if you find that you – and more importantly your children – are spending more time in front of the TV than you are getting outside, reading a book, taking or playing with your loved ones – then please reconsider this approach.
Bottom Line: The solution to our health and fitness needs is not found by spending hours in front of our TV each day.
What do YOU think?
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A book I am certain you would love to read. Child’s Play by Silken Lauman
I have always had many doubts as to the benefits of any kind of video games. As a matter of fact, I did not until this past Christmas buy the kiddo’s a PlayStation. Now I am wondering why I was so weak, because they tend to find it better entertainment than going outside. I think I found this great way to get them more motivated, though, and get more activity every day. I received an email on a family challenge that Shaq Oneal was sponsoring. So I thought I would come up with my own “family challenge” in the attempt to motivate my kids. It works for us, right? Why not them? I also have added in some incentives for them to work towards. Anyways thanks, Holly, great article as always. It’s something I am going to share with the kid’s when they get home from school, lol.
Sorry, to intrude again, I wanted to share with Tyler that we got to see a “walking stick bug” last week. It was very cool! Right up there with his “praying mantis”. :<)
So true, I have wii fit (it was a gift) and use it for fun on my off days but would never use it for a workout! I also don’t let my kids use it, they have many more active and imaginative toys that they use instead of a silly game.
I have a Wii Fit too. But it is definitely just a fun thing. We mostly only use it during adult game nights. My kids are too little for it, and they have more fun at the park anyway!!!