Me in August 2009 (left) on vacation in North Carolina and me in August 2010 (right), where I weighed about 6 pounds less.

If my wellness were a Coen brothers movie right now it would be titled, “Oh metabolism, where art thou?”

I’ve never been one to complain about my weight or feel the need to count calories until the last couple of years. In my 20s I worked out pretty sporadically but I was always naturally thin. After I had my younger daughter, Miss A, in 2005 at the age of 35 I was thrilled to fit in a size 4 capri jeans from Old Navy. I still have those trophy post-partum jeans but they’ve been hanging in my closet for a while.

While I am not technically overweight, I have methodically gained weight over the past 5 years. Turning 40 last year didn’t help my metabolism. I am not a big fan of working out, I love to eat, and I am barely 5 ft. 2. If you’re petite like me, you know what a difference just 5 to 10 pounds can make in the way your clothes fit and the way you look in photos.

I was absolutely thrilled when Brand About Town contacted me this fall about being a brand ambassador for Wii Fit. We didn’t own a Wii and I knew it was something that my entire family would enjoy. I’d made a concerted effort earlier this year to work fitness into my daily routine, whether it be walking the dog or taking the steps at work or popping in a workout DVD, and I knew the Wii Fit would just be one more tool in my arsenal against 40-something weight gain. In September I had lost a little over 6 pounds but throwing my back out this fall and my inability to resist fun size Butterfingers after Halloween sent me back up the scales again.

I’m also trying to watch my calories, which is no fun during the holidays. I’m guilty of drinking a lot of extra calories. Yeah I know…what a surprise. I don’t like diet sodas, and last year I was drinking at least 4 to 6 regular Cokes a week, not to mention joining hubby whenever he would open a beer in the evenings. Those calories really start to add up over time. Let’s not talk about my love for wine, though, because red wine is TOTALLY therapeutic. Not. Giving. Up. Wine.

While my weight is still fluctuating (dang you holidays!), the Wii is helping me stay on task. It’s so easy on days I can’t get out and walk to crank some fun music and work out with Wii Fit. This morning I did 40 minutes of yoga and basic step aerobics.

Visit my review blog to read more about the findings of a recent American Heart Association survey documenting the motivational factor associated with Active Play video games, and check out a yummy smoothie recipe from a fun wellness gaming event I co-hosted this fall at the Hutton Hotel here in Nashville which featured a panel of inspiring speakers, including several women with harrowing stories of surviving a heart attack.

Disclosure: I’m working with Brand About Town as a Nintendo Wii Fit ambassador. I was sent a Wii and Wii Fit to use for myself and my family, although I sometimes have to fight with my girls just to use it! I co-hosted a fun Nintendo Wii/American Heart Association event in October here in Nashville with Lindsay from Suburban Turmoil and Brandi from Brandi and Boys where we learned more about the long-term health benefits of exercise and proper diet and listened to a motivating talk by author Hank Wasiak about asset-based thinking.