Playing Nintendo Wii video games and good health in the same sentence? In the past, playing Nintendo has been synonymous with having a couch potato lifestyle. It is no secret about the reputation video games get from parents who complain that their children waste too much time playing mind numbing games and not enough time playing in the yard..

Nintendo Wii changes all of this. Believe it or not iIt has changed the minds of parents, health professionals, doctors and physical therapists and trainers around the globe. How did this happen? Basically by adding the fun and skill of video games with the exercising of the actual muscles required to play the games if you were playing them in person.

Make believe for a minute, standing at the front of a bowling ball lane. You wipe the beads of sweat from your forehead as you decide how you are going to roll the ball to pick up the spare. Your team mates are absolutely quiet as they do not want to break your concentration as you try to get into the "zone". You bring your arms up to the ready position as if the ball is really in your hands. You slowly begin to walk, and then you drop the ball to your side as you pick up the pace until you finally release the ball and watch it roll down the lane until it strikes the remaining pins. You not only pick up the "save" but you win the adoration of your team mates as they give you applause.

A bit farfetched? Not really. Nintendo wii technology truly mimics your every move as you see yourself (or your Nintendo self) on the movie screen reenact every move you make. So if you are a bad bowler in real life… you are going to have to practice a bit. But that is OK according to the doctors who are jumping up and down about the idea of people voluntarily exercising and having the time of their life while doing it. In fact many physical therapy facilities now have a wii console available as they show their patients thebest way to improve their joint and muscle flexibility.

Even senior citizens that live in assisted living facilities are enjoying the exercise benefits that wii brings. Perhaps you think of a bunch of old people sitting around in wheel chairs looking completely listless and devoid of life. While this is true sometimes, it is not in one facility that was featured on youtube recently. This assisted living facility has put together wii bowling leagues where a few of the team players are actually in wheel chairs. You need to watch the video below to see how much fun they are having.

If you think playing wii on your TV is fun, then you need to try it on a 110" projection screen! Life size virtual sports will make anyone a believer! Why not set the goal of getting in shape, by exercising and losing weight by playing Nintendo wii video games with your family?