How to lose 20 lbs playing video games!

Ever wish you could lose weight while doing something you enjoy? One of our readers did just that and you can too! After gaining weight due to inactivity caused by years of physical ailments, Christy decided to start taking her health into her own hands. She purchased a Wii game console for her family in the hope that they would start moving more. She then discovered the game called WiiFit. Her interest was piqued. She decided to buy the game and the accompanying balance board. What happened next was amazing...

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When she started playing she noticed there was a points system that would allow her to collect points just for playing games and the system also counted calories burned for her. She's very much motivated by tracking things like points and calories, so this was perfect for her. There is also a 'Fit Test' that measures the players' fitness level and other stats like weight. WiiFit offers many different types of games categorized by: Balance, Dance, Aerobics, Yoga, and Strength Training. At first Christy would challenge her family members on specific games within the different categories. They were all having fun trying to top each other's scores. It was clear each person had different strengths. After she got used to how the games were played, she turned her sights to the personal training workout routines. With the 'fit test' completed, Christy started using the preset workout routines to hone her WiiFit game play. She discovered a few routines that ran about 30 minutes. She made time to do one routine a day. Then on weekends she added another routine to the mix to get in a little more game time. As she continued playing WiiFit, not only did she get better scores on the games, but she also increased her overall strength and fitness levels. She was having so much fun that she found herself playing WiiFit up to one hour each week day and up to three hours on the weekends (the game only allows you to log up to three hours of points a day). After one month of this routine, Christy lost 20 lbs, felt much more fit, and started engaging in more physical activity in addition to playing WiiFit. She and her family begain particpating in local 5K walks/runs and really started enjoying their time together more. 

As we have discussed in our Movement blog using something you enjoy to get in more movement is a great way to regain your physical health and stamina while having fun. WiiFit worked for Christy and her family. Why not give it a try?

Do you have a fun fitness story? Please share it with us below.