Feeling the Wii burn

We have all known someone, or been that someone, who has been struck by the power of video games.

Endless hours sitting in front of the television simply mesmerized by the electric glow. Our hands and fingers getting a workout by hitting the up, down and sideways arrows to make Mario and Luigi run across the game, or even making your favorite football team run to the other side of the field to score a touchdown. All that was needed was a comfortable place to plop down with some food next to us and we were all set.

I will never forget sitting as a child in the basement firmly attached to the padded folding chair, my feet resting on the cold floor beneath me playing MarioKart on Super Nintendo. It was pure excitement to watch the cars moving in front of me in anticipation of what character I would choose next. Fast forward many years and I found myself playing MarioKart again, only this time it was on Nintendo Wii, and not only were my hands and fingers getting a workout, but my whole body was moving back and forth as I held the steering wheel in my hand, twisting with every turn. Yes, times have certainly changed; you can actually get exercise from playing video games. What an invention!

Whether you are bowling, golfing, swinging the bat with Home Run Derby, it is if you are actually in the game. Holding the controller in your hand you move up to the lane to bowl, you stand in the batter's box to swing and you move as if you were in a race car. With the game Rockband you get to sweat and sing, play drums or the guitar to your favorite songs. If you are in the mood to give horseback riding a try, there is always My Horse and Me, which gives players a chance to be an equestrian champion by letting them not only compete in competitions, but also name and groom their horse beforehand.

These games will push you beyond a bouncy little 20-minute workout. Once you get into it, you can play for hours. You might not feel the same sensation as if you are jumping up and down at an aerobics class unless you are playing WiiFit, but the calories are still burning. Unlike the video games I was used to as a child, Nintendo Wii also has WiiFit, which is your own fitness video on Nintendo.

It has everything from something as simple as push-ups to aerobics and strength training. You can test your weight, balance, age and body control to find the right training session and fitness level that works for you. The characters on the screen are virtual and creative, making the exercise even more fun.

So, does it work?

Health experts say 16 percent of children and roughly 32 percent of adults in the U.S. are overweight or obese - a number that just keeps climbing. We all know, we're more likely to stick with exercising if it was fun. And what's more fun that playing video games?

It's funny, but thinking back to those days in my parent's basement, the last thing I wanted to do was have to get up and move, but now when I play the sports games the last thing I want to do is sit. I am always hoping that my turn is up next and the last thing I am thinking is that I am getting hot and tired. So, for all of you out there who are looking to get off the treadmill and try something different, give one of the Nintendo Wii Sports games or Wii Fit a try to mix things up.