Wii Node

What is the one thing obese people say they associate most with family time? Food. Because of this happy association with food, we have a rising epidemic of obesity. Instead, why not try to develop happy associations with family fitness time?

There are many games out there that encourage movement and that can be fun to play together as a family. Most games allow up to four players, so the whole family can get involved. Sports games such as volleyball, golf, bowling, baseball, or tennis require the players to get up and move their bodies in the same way as their gaming avatar. Not only can these competitive games be fun, but you could use them as tools for deciding who does chores. For example, the winner could pick one chore from his list for the loser to do, or, if you have a constant winner, mix it up, and say whoever beats his own high score gets a prize.

Other fun fitness games are those that involve dancing. In a flashback to the American Bandstand era, the players imitate the moves of the avatar on the game. Unlike American Bandstand, though, the players compete against each other and are awarded actual scores. Often, the music choices range from the hits that mom and dad love to the modern hits today’s kids want to dance to. Not only can dancing be competitive and fun for those doing the dance, but the fun also comes for the family members who are watching. Nothing’s funnier than watching Dad try to dance to the latest Katy Perry hit.

Family time doesn’t always have to revolve around a meal. Couple a meal with a game workout, and family time will become not only something everyone can enjoy, but also something that teaches life-long fitness.