Day 1: Health Tech Challenge

Off to a good start

By M. Patricia Titus
News Editor

Setting up the balance board was easy. It involved only inserting the batteries and doing an initial synchronization of the board with the Wii, where it takes the place of a potential fourth Wii remote. From there, it was a quick run through of the profile creation process, which excitingly revealed I haven’t gained any weight since I last stepped on a scale a few months ago but nonetheless made it clear that I’ve got a journey ahead of me to get fit.

There’s a lot of enthusiasm here for the balance games, and that’s only counting the 2-year-old. He’s a soccer heading master from the first, since it apparently helps to be very wiggly. But I’m also finding the games fun, except the running part.

I can see this running game also being useful if you use a treadmill, stair-climber or machine with a cross-country skiing type of movement, since it tracks your movement and pace rather than requiring you step in a specific spot. Just hop on your machine and stick the remote in your pocket. That may make it more fun for me in the future. Jogging in place just doesn’t do it for me, but taking a brisk walk on the treadmill while touring the virtual island is one step closer to virtual reality.

But the balance games are a blast, and I can definitely see the aerobics games providing some motivation that I wouldn’t normally have. I’m already looking forward to running through some yoga poses every day, too.

Weight: Goal + 22 pounds

BMI: Starting point-0

Balance: 53.2 left/46.8 right

Wii Fit Age: 48