The Apple Watch has consistently proven to be an exceptional tool for monitoring health and fitness. Nevertheless, with two notable updates in watchOS 11, achieving your fitness objectives is now simpler than ever. Here’s a closer look at the updates.
Establishing Daily Goals on Apple Watch for Health, Inclusive of Rest
When the Apple Watch was initially launched, its three Activity rings had very specific criteria.
To successfully close all of your rings, you were required to complete 30 minutes of Exercise and achieve 12 Stand hours each day. Customization was only available for the Move ring.
Over the last few years, watchOS introduced the capability to modify Exercise and Stand goals. However, it wasn’t until the recent watchOS 11 update that two crucial enhancements to the Activity rings were made.
You can now take designated rest days, as well as days when you’re feeling unwell. Additionally, your Activity rings can cater to varied goals throughout the week.
With watchOS 11, you now have the option to ‘pause’ your Activity rings for one or several days so that not closing your rings on those days does not break your streak.
You can also tweak your daily targets; for instance, you might choose to push yourself harder during weekdays while allowing for more relaxed goals over the weekend.
Here are two compelling reasons why these adjustments in the Apple Watch can assist you in reaching your health objectives:
- Maintaining streaks can significantly encourage the continuation of healthy habits.
- Goals need to be perceived as achievable; otherwise, we tend to abandon them quickly.
I can personally relate to these two concepts based on my own Apple Watch experience. Allow me to elaborate.
The Importance of Apple Watch’s Health Improvements
I have achieved a personal best of 285 consecutive days closing my Move ring.
During that time, I felt incredible, but it all came crashing down when I contracted COVID and struggled to get out of bed for several days.
The disappointment of losing my streak and knowing how long it would take to set a new record was incredibly disheartening. I quickly lost the habit of closing my rings each day.
If I had the option to pause my goals back then, it would have made a significant difference and likely helped me get back on track much sooner.
Moreover, I’ve frequently faced challenges maintaining consistency with my rings because the Apple Watch treated all days uniformly. It never seemed right that after an intense movement day, I was expected to meet the same goals the following day.
Now, I can schedule a vigorous workout on Fridays with the expectation that I’ll relax a bit on Saturdays, and my Apple Watch won’t penalize me for it.
Have these adjustments to the Apple Watch assisted you in adhering to your health goals? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.
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