[vetswife]

I didn't really know where to place this. This is the place I went for weight loss and self image problems. So I chose to place it here, anyway...

My family just purchased the Wii (and I am not a gaming person at all). Let me tell you how fun it is and how it gets you moving. Even my mother was bowling with us. It truly is a blast and you have to move to play. I don't get sore from much but my arm is sore from Wii bowling last night. We got the sport package so the game is already installed with baseball, tennis, bowling, golf and I think some other stuff. You can still purchase other games too, but it is nice that it already comes with some. I know this sounds like a commercial (I should be getting paid, right lol). I think if anyone is looking for a fun way to get moving (as I was last week) this a great way to do it. The best purchase we've made in a long time.

[Perna]

Yes, there's actually "wii fit" :-)

http://www.nintendo.com/wiifit

[chaotic13]

OMG we had the same experience the Christmas before last. My kids are big into video games and we got a Wii for them for Christmas. Between Christmas and New Year's we were ALL playing it non-stop. At one point I laughed and said that I am going to have to treat myself for tendonitiis. My arm and lateral hip were sore from doing the bowling motion too much. The really cool thing was that we were all playing together, even my H was into it. The excitement eventually fades a few months down the road but enjoy the activity while it lasts. I see now that they have a new FIT package out where you can do yoga and a bunch of other stuff using some sensor mat. My friend and I were talking about chipping in and buying it together. I am all for anything that gets you up and moving and doing something that everyone in the house can be somewhat successful at.

Another similar type game we tried several years ago was the Eye toy for the Playstation. I don't know if they still make this. I think it was an early attempt at this type of technology. It had a little computer type camera that you set on top of the TV. The kids liked it because they could see themselves as they moved and played the games. It had a karate game where you used your hands to chop bad guys, a window washing game, bubble popping and something else. The key was you had to move more than just your thumbs.

[chaotic13]

Since you are new to the Wii, I thought I'd share this. Recently my kids are into creating different Mii characters. There are a whole bunch of videos on youtube for creating various TV characters using the standard tools that come with the Wii. Now when they play baseball they have Sonic, Master Chief, Spiderman etc... as the other field players.

Go to YouTube.com click on the Videos tab at the top of the home page and use "Mii Tutorials" as your search string. You will see a whole bunch of videos that walk you through creating various characters. Obviously depending on how old your kids are... you should probably be directly supervising them while accessing YouTube.

[vetswife]

I'll have to go there (youtube). My son just turned 11, I swear he'll never have a computer in his room, too many nightmare stories. We just figured out how to make the bowling characters look like us and keep a record of our scores (I just made pro last night). I hope this isn't short lived, it's really a great way that everyone can get up and move. Like I said my Mom was getting into it and she's got knee problems and could still bowl.

The Wii, fit does that have to be the whole system or could I buy a game/accessories for the system we just bought? Like I said I'm new to gaming, never was really into it.

[chaotic13]

No it looks like you just need to get the balance board which is like $90. Its a pretty popular item at the moment. It seems like most stores are sold out of them at the moment, at least in my area.

[Ltr2Hermione]

I agree! In the last 9 months I've taken off 120 lbs... and the WII helped with the first 60 (then I was fit enough to join the gym). Now I just do it for fun!

[vetswife]

That is so ausome, congratulations.