Last week Handforth Weight Watchers trialled an innovative new method to encourage local members to get active, by joining forces with Nintendo UK to do Wii Fit Plus trials in its meeting. These local people were some of the first in the UK to be involved in a unique partnership between the two companies to encourage them to increase exercise levels in line with government recommendations.
Members from the Handforth Weight Watchers meeting got the chance to try out the new Wii Fit Plus, the popular follow up game to the original Wii Fit - aimed at those who want to lead a healthier lifestyle and who are looking for a fun way to workout at home.
June Bailey Local Weight Watchers Leader said "Activity has always been an essential part of the weight loss plan for my members so to be able to give them this opportunity to find a fun alternative way to increase exercise levels and do it with their friends or family is crucial to helping them to not only lose weight but keep it off.
"The health benefits of increasing activity levels are widely known yet so many people struggle to fit it in around busy schedules which is why I got involved with this activity to help my members get into the habit of finding quick, easy and fun ways to exercise."
Weight Watchers member Heidi Saunders said "I never expected us to be doing this activity at meetings, Weight Watchers has already helped me change my eating habits and now I’m definitely going to make the effort to be more active."
Dawn Paine, Marketing Director for Nintendo UK added: "Wii Fit Plus is an innovative and enjoyable game that gets the whole family up off the sofa, and, if used as part of a healthy lifestyle, it can be a great way to improve fitness. Like the Weightwatchers programme, Wii Fit Plus can easily fit into people’s daily routines, and make exercise fun, rather than a chore.
"We hope that this partnership will give Weightwatchers members the opportunity to experience exercise in a fun environment and show them the positive role that computer games can play in helping them to achieve their weight loss goals."
Handforth is leading the way in a programme of Wii Fit Plus activity that is being rolled out to Weight Watchers members nationwide, all with the aim of meeting the government’s recommended 30 minutes of moderate physical activity at least five times a week.
A raffle was held to win a WiiFit Plus Starter Kit worth £85.00. Heidi Saunders was the lucky member to win it and they raised £180.00 to go to the Haiti Disaster Fund.
The Handforth meeting is run by June Bailey and takes place on Tuesdays at 9.30am or 6.30pm and Fridays at 9am. More meetings and information on the Weight Watchers Discover Plan is available online.
Photo: June Bailey presenting Heidi Saunders with her prize of the WiiFitPlus Starter Pack.
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Thanks also to June for all the guidance and support she shows to her members and for the "fun" elements of the meetings as well as the "serious"side. Thank you June.