They say that ballplayers hit Spring Training in better shape than they ever have. That may be true, but that doesn't mean it isn't hard for some. It's been a struggle for Heath Bell, apparently. But now, he's found a new training method: a video game console.The heir apparent to Trevor Hoffman credits his Nintendo Wii Fit game for helping him lose 25 pounds. Bell, who has been given the first crack at taking over the closing role vacated by Hoffman, reported to camp at a svelte 245 pounds.And how exactly did the Wii motivate Bell to drop the pounds?
"It said I was obese," Bell said. "If you're obese, it makes (your character on screen) obese. I was disappointed that I was that big. I literally took the game to heart. I did the work but I kind of credit the Wii Fit."That's quite awesome. I too have tried to lose weight while playing the Wii that I got this past Christmas. But I've learned that playing hours and hours of Pro Evolution Soccer '08 while eating bags of potato chips doesn't really have the same effect. So I'm still obese. And I'm also a 65-year-old man, according to the Wii. There's obviously something I'm doing wrong.
So remember kids, just like anything else, playing Wii only helps you lose weight when combined with proper diet and exercise. And you too can be a heartwarming success story like Heath Bell (until he blows his first save.)
