by Gary Adamo

While there’s still quite a divide between those who think that Wii Fit can help people lose weight and those who think it’s just a gimmicky toy, count one more high-paid athlete that credits Nintendo’s title with helping shed a few pounds.

Reliever Heath Bell of the San Diego Padres was playing the Wii game with his kids when he received something disturbing news upon standing on the balance board.

“It said I was obese,” Bell confessed. “If you’re obese, it makes (your character on screen) fat. 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.”

The pitcher lost 25 pounds altogether. While it probably wasn’t excessive hula hooping that caused the weight drop, it appears that using the title was the wake-up call that sparked his motivation.