Buy Wii Fit for the Nintendo Wii Console.

Gaming consoles, MPG writing about using one, and fitness. These three subjects are seemingly unrelated but read on and see how a Wii Console novice turned into a pro gamer. Well, I may be exaggerating a little there...

My experience with computers spans 20 years so I am very confident using (and sometimes troubleshooting) them. Gaming consoles however are another story.

With two teenagers in our house technology is just a part of life. I agreed to buy a Wii as long as Wii Fit (the fitness program) was part of it. As a novice I knew very little about gaming but at least I had heard of the Wii Fit program and how good it was. Also, I was a little curious as to what all the fuss was about gaming in general.

For those who are technology novices as well, the consoles are connected to your television so games can be played. The Nintendo Wii is the competition gaming console to the Sony Playstation and the Xbox, you place a game disc into the appropriate slot and using hand-held controls are able to be 'entertained' by playing the games which appear on your TV.

'Kinect' and Playstation 3 now also interactive without controllers.

Update: The Xbox 360 now has a fully interactive game where you are the controller. Called 'Kinect', you control the action, there are no gadgets or things to attach, just you. It's a great concept with Sony Playstation also getting in on the act with interactive games. Both Xbox and Playstation are giving the Nintendo Wii a run for its money.

I am now enlightened to the purpose of the gaming console. They can actually be fun, or at least for me, the Nintendo Wii can be fun. Yes I now consider myself a novice gamer  because I can successfully turn a console on, place in a disc and play a game. My favourite is the interactive fitness game, Wii Fit where you actually have to stand and move to the various exercises being shown on the screen which include yoga and muscle workouts. Once you are familiar with the format you will be able to customise your own fitness routine.

Wii Fit comes complete with a Wii balance board on which you stand to perform the exercises, a Wii controller and if you purchase a 'promotional pack' there may be other items included such as sports add-ons and Nunchuk (needed for two handed moves in Wii Fit). The purpose of the game is to become fit and learn to perform exercises based on yoga, muscle exercises and mind/brain stimulation games. Just pick up the Wii remote and a whole new way of interactive play is in your hands. All you have to do is use the remote controller to point, throw, swing, slash, turn, shake or twist. Wii means fun for all the family and like me, you don't have to be particularly skillful. Regular use helps you to improve your fitness or gaming skills. Wii Fit comes with a whole host of games as well, all intended to help with your fitness, both physically and mentally.

The Wii Balance Board is available when you purchase Wii Fit Plus and as you step onto the board, it interprets the movement of your feet and brings your motions to life. By sensing your weight and balance you will be able to keep a check on your fitness level. Using Wii Fit every day for just 10 minutes will help tone your body and as part of a regular workout routine (like jogging or walking) its a great aid to becoming healthy. As your fitness improves you will be able to increase your time exercising.

Wii Fit is great for busy people who don't have time to visit gyms, or if like me, you don't particularly like gyms, then it's a good alternative. Also, being able to exercise in the privacy of your own home has its benefits, as well as being both less expensive and more time efficient. No driving to the gym, spending 60 minutes with other sweaty people and then driving back home. I also find it good that I don't have to spend 60 minutes on a routine, some days I just don't have the energy to do that. Using the Wii means you spend as little or as much time as your body can handle.

There are ways to cheat when exercising whilst using the Wii whereas at a gym you may be more motivated because there are others around you. To what end would you cheat though? Aren't you just cheating yourself?

So, you see the three topics are related - you can move about whilst using a gaming console; I'm a novice but still felt compelled to write about one, and Wii Fit can make you fit with regular use. Obviously, be careful when exercising and make sure you don't over exert yourself. Also, listen to the warnings the program gives you because as with any exercise routine you should only go as far as your body allows.

See another of my hubs on a related exercise topic - Is-walking-good-exercise.

A Sydney Morning Herald article about the Wii Fit which may interest you -

http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/wellbeing/weight-loss-that-isnt-all-workout-20100216-o47b.html?rand=1266362379895

How many times do you hear this statement? Sure exercise isn't always fun and there are times when you are just too tired to go to the gym, but that's where the Wii Fit program comes in.

It is there, ready and waiting, in your home. There really is no excuse. Admittedly going on the Wii everyday is the ultimate way to stay fit and effectively lose weight but this isn't always possible. One way to keep motivated is to keep up a daily routine when you are on holiday and this may entice you to do more when you are busier and back at work.

There really is no magic cure when it comes to fitness and losing weight. It takes hard work and determination but if you invest in a Wii console you may find you have fun as well. You never know it may nurture a healthy respect for exercise.

We are all guilty of rushing around these days which usually means we don't have time to sit down and eat proper meals, let alone prepare them. Here are a couple of easy meals which you are able to prepare in a few minutes and they are healthy as well as tasty.

Pasta with broccolini and chicken

• 500g of any small tube pasta like Penne
• Chicken breast (leftover chicken can be used)
• 1 bunch broccolini (normal broccoli can be substituted)
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 hot chilli (optional)
• 1/2 cup white wine
• grated Parmesan cheese
  
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Wash broccolini and cut into small pieces. Cut the chicken into similar pieces. If you are using leftover chicken then just strip pieces off the bone and cut if necessary. Place a small amount of olive oil in a fry pan, add garlic and chilli and fry lightly. Throw in the chicken* and let it brown off then add broccolini. Let the broccolini cook for a minute then add white wine. Allow to cook for another 5 minutes or until broccolini is tender.

Meanwhile bring a couple of litres of water to the boil and add salt. Throw in the pasta and bring back to the boil then letting the pasta cook for 10 minutes, or until al dente (firm but not soft).

With a slotted spoon place pasta into frypan with broccolini and chicken and stir all ingredients together. Allow the ingredients to coat each other and simmer for a few minutes. If required you can use the water from the pasta pot to stop the ingredients from being too dry, just spoon in a little water to your taste.

Serve with grated Parmesan cheese. Serves 4 for dinner.

*Note - if you are using left over chicken then throw this in after the broccolini is cooked as it will only need to heat through, not cook.

Tuna and tomato salad - Great for a quick lunch

• 1 x tin tuna in spring water
• 2 x salad tomatoes, vine ripened have the best flavour
• 3 or 4 basil leaves
• A pinch of oregano
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Drain tuna and place in a bowl. Cut tomatoes into quarters and place in bowl with tuna. Roughly break basil leaves into and add pinch of oregano. Add a small amount of olive oil, extra virgin has a stronger flavour than normal olive oil, so use less of it. Add salt and pepper to your liking and serve with wholemeal or crusty white bread. Serves 1 to 2 people.