Exercise, more of it, is a common resolution for many Americans at the start of a new year. Admittedly, I too needed to get myself off the couch and into the action.

I could sign up for the gym, but that was money and time I did not want to spend. I wanted something a little more intense than walking. Running was out of the question. I had already warned friends that if they ever saw me running, to please stop and help because there must be someone chasing me! Either that or I had lost my mind completely. I was looking for something innovative and different.

I had heard of a guy using "Dance Dance Revolution" (DDR) on Nintendo's Wii video game console to work out and lose weight. We had a Wii, and I needed to workout. I was skeptical but went online to research. I knew my kids would love it, so I had my excuse to justify the purchase, as I tend to feel guilty making a purchase just for me.

Rhythmically challenged am I, so I thought maybe, just maybe, this would enhance my ... I would say dancing skills, but for lack of any, I will say foot coordination. The purchase was made.

Upon delivery, the kids and I took it out for a test run. It has a workout mode, where you can input the calories you wish to burn in that session. The Wii k.jpg track of calories burned, calories left to burn and a tally of time spent on the workout mode. Arrows point the direction in which you should step, and it even includes hand movements, which I quickly switched off under "options." I was having a hard enough time as it was making my feet go in the right direction without having to worry about what my hands were doing.

I hoped no one was looking in the window at this spectacle as I'm sure it looked like I was hooked up to electrical current. It was quite the evening's entertainment for my kids who laughed at my antics and vocalizations when I missed the mark. I quickly learned I was working on controlling my tongue as well as my feet.

"Are you sure this is the Easy mode?" I asked. I could not believe there were four more levels to attain.

At the completion of every song, a rating for s.jpg completed was given. I can assure you I have much room for improvement, but it leaves me with goals to obtain. The kids, however, are improving quickly.

No, I am not even remotely ready for "Dancing with the Stars," but at least I can step to the beat. This little piggy doesn't indulge at the market. This little piggy exercises at home. This little piggy no longer eats piles of roast beef, this little piggy named Sohm.

Now we wii, wii, wii all the way home.

T&D Correspondent Julie Campbell Sohm can be reached by e-mail at sohm23@embarqmail.com.

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