You may have guessed that I’m a bit of a health nut. Before I had kids, I’d run several times a week. These days, while I’m not as active as I should be, I still try to get in regular exercise by walking with the kids or dancing on the Wii. I also strive to eat a healthy diet by avoiding excess salt, trans fats, cholesterol, and other artificial ingredients. Despite my efforts, I never assume that I’m doing all I can to stay healthy and avoid chronic illnesses like heart disease.
Last week, Nintendo hosted an engaging lunch to raise awareness about their relationship with the American Heart Association. According to the AHA, 70 percent of Americans engage in no regular physical activity. Through the partnership, both organizations strive to “help people create healthy lifestyles through physically active play.”
After enjoying a light snack Liz and I got our play on with Wii Sports Resort and the new Wii Fit Plus. Wii Sports Resort (which is the sequel to Wii Sports) engages you in realistic sports play including bowling, golfing, archery, and table tennis. Wii Fit Plus expands on the original software and includes everything from the original plus new exercises and tools to personalize your fitness routine. Since I own the original, I was curious to see how different the new version is. With 15 new training activities and customizable routines, it’s worth the investment.
After a heart-healthy lunch, communications industry leader, author, speaker, and teacher Hank Wasiak inspired us with a discussion about asset-based thinking as it relates to health and wellness. Asset-based thinking simply means looking at things through a positive lens (aka…the glass is half-full rather than half-empty). He emphasized the importance of taking small steps that will make a big difference..like the AHA’s Simple 7 which encourages Americans to get active, control cholesterol, eat better, manage blood pressure, lose weight, reduce blood sugar, and stop smoking. Americans can reduce their risk of a heart attack by 80% if they follow the Simple 7. Mr. Wasiak encouraged us to work on our whole selves (mind, body, spirit, skills, soul), enlist the help of others, and view problems as pauses. After Mr. Waskiak spoke, a local Cardiologist and Dietitian led an informative Q & A which dispelled myths and shed light on everything from sodium consumption to exercise duration and intensity.
Nintendo and the AHA encourage Americans to:
- Get Informed about the benefits of being physically active as part of a healthy lifestyle.
- Get Empowered by making proper choices to start a healthy lifestyle.
- Get Active by initiating a physical activity program that may include active-play video games such as Wii Fit Plus and Wii Sports Resort.
As someone who has been playing video games for over 25 years of my life, I’m impressed with the technology that allows both my children and I to get off the couch and get moving in a fun and interactive way. How I view exercise has really changed since having kids. And while I wholeheartedly believe that we should all get out, take a walk (or run) and take in the fresh air, I also think that exercise can and should be fun. I didn’t initially get the Wii for my children…I got it for myself so that I could get in some exercise without having to leave my children to go to the gym. I’ve always maintained that the programs offered (particularly the Wii Fit) help set goals, offer accountability, and make it fun to exercise. I’m excited about Nintendo’s partnership with the AHA and I hope that Americans will be inspired to get off the couch to get their fitness game on.
For more information about Nintendo’s partnership with the AHA, just visit Active Play Now.
No compensation was received for this post. I attended a lunch and received a gift bag, courtesy of Nintendo and the AHA.
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It was great to meet you at the AHA NIntendo event. Thank you for being part of it and for sharing your thoughts and advice in your excellent blog post. Glad the you liked the Asset-Based Thinking message and welcome to the positive ABT conspiracy. Live heart healthy and stay active.
All the best and thanks again.
Hank Wasiak