How old are Wii?

I am sure you have heard the saying
“You are only as old as you feel.”

There is a group of what you might think as unlikely video gamers out there getting off the couch. The  Rochester Democrat and Chronicle reported a storyof a group of seniors getting some activity using their Wii.  Wii bowling is part of the Monday night activities at the Willow Pond senior living community.  Louise Elman who is 101-year-old,  and 78-year-old Frankie McArdle were interviewed in the article, Penfield seniors: Wii bowl and we love it.  McArdle said:

“It’s a source of exercise without having to lift heavy bowling balls.”

How old do you feel? 
Well no matter what your true age, most of use want to feel young.  If you feel older than you’d like to that can change.  To feel young, you must first have the desire to have more energy, good nutrition, exercise, and other healthy habits. When you have the desire to make your health a priority you can make a commitment to change. 

The Nintendo Wii is a great tool to get people moving, even the seniors in the  Penfield seniors: Wii bowl and we love it article.  they are using Wii bowling and now Wii golf.  While these are great games, I want to talk about the Wii Fit.  When you play the Wii Fit, it assigns a Wii Fit Age.  Wii Fit Age is measured by factoring the your BMI reading, testing the your center of gravity and quick balance tests, taking into consideration your actual age. Nintendo says:

Keep in mind: Your Wii Fit Age is only a measurement of your current performance, so if you’re unhappy with it, you’ll have another opportunity to improve it the next time you play.

 

The draw backs of your Wii Fit Age is Wii Fit uses BMI(Body Mass Index) as an indicator without considering it’s limitationsto calculate your Wii Fit Age. Nintendo also places a large proportion of your overall fitness on your balance or body control.  With that in mind, on the days that I completed my Body Test my Wii Fit Age has ranged from 41, 36, 26, and 39.  Some days I feel all of those ages, my body is a little more tired some days than others. 

Vijai P. Sharma, PhD wrote:

If we think we are more youthful, healthier, stronger, more agile and energetic, we might stay that way a little longer than we would otherwise. Expect to stay young for ever. Why not? Higher expectations yield superior results. 

How can you disagree with that?  Bottom line, my drivers licence say I am 33 years old and I will do whatever I can to keep my Wii Fit Age close to it by keeping my body fit and my mind positive. Today my Wii Fit Age is 31 years old, it is going to be a good day!