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Apple Watch Leading to Healthy Lifestyle Changes Among Early Adopters

BillyTrimble said:
Those that are able to and want to lose weight may find the watch helpful in tracking your efforts. You don't think the watch will help because you simply hate the watch.


You make these incredibly stupid and patently absurd generalities. While some try a gym and don't presist, there are large numbers of people who try it, love it, continue to go and improve their health. Same with the watch. Why do you keep on making up stuff just to bash the watch?



So what? It proves nothing. What he does with his body and his life in no way affects the features of the watch. Look at how much you hate the watch and literally make up stuff to continue to hate it and bash it. Does your attitude affect how you live your life, your family, and you job? It must given what you say about Ive.
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Frosty just loves to jump into Apple Watch threads to pan the watch because... well, because. He's certainly entitled to his opinions, but I think that he doth protest too much. It's as if he can't accept the fact that some of us AW owners really are happy with our purchases, gen 1 limitations notwithstanding.

As for fitness and activity, I've stopped taking elevators and have been using the stairs at work since I got my AW. You can argue that I'm subconsciously trying to justify the expense, but whatever the reason, it's changed my behavior, and I'm glad for it. The stand notifications are also helping, because my work is largely sedentary. Of course, I could do these things without an app or device, but I wouldn't, so the AW is making a difference. For me.
 
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Who ran these surveys?

Apple doing whatever propagandizing it can in order to evade the inevitable. That the Apple watch establishes the first moniker for dresser drawer-ware.
 
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This is true! Sometimes after office hours, when I didn't reach my daily burn calorie goal, I still tend to exercise a bit just to reach it.lol And all those Achievement icons are an inspiration also.
 
You haters need to step off. And that's what you people are: blind haters who will find any excuse to criticize this product because you can't fathom the idea that maybe, just maybe, Apple has produced a device capable of having a positive impact on the lives of the people who buy it.

For the first time in my life, I actually feel like I have some degree of control over my weight and my health. My knowledge of what I was doing to myself didn't do that--all that did was make me feel ashamed. My family history of obesity, heart problems, and diabetes didn't do that--all that did was make me feel hopeless. My Fitbit didn't do that for me--it

My Apple Watch has helped motivate me and hold me accountable. It's also given me a sense of control and hope, which has led me to drop twenty pounds since getting it. That's after putting on roughly 10 pounds a year for the last seven years.
 
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DC Wallaby said:
You haters need to step off. And that's what you people are: blind haters who will find any excuse to criticize this product because you can't fathom the idea that maybe, just maybe, Apple has produced a device capable of having a positive impact on the lives of the people who buy it.

For the first time in my life, I actually feel like I have some degree of control over my weight and my health. My knowledge of what I was doing to myself didn't do that--all that did was make me feel ashamed. My family history of obesity, heart problems, and diabetes didn't do that--all that did was make me feel hopeless. My Fitbit didn't do that for me--it

My Apple Watch has helped motivate me and hold me accountable. It's also given me a sense of control and hope, which has led me to drop twenty pounds since getting it. That's after putting on roughly 10 pounds a year for the last seven years.
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great! keep going! You got your style, keep it. Share it, don't share it, but keep going. I know how difficult to loose even a pound. in order to achieve something you need at least make the first step and you made it. Please don't stop. iWatch didn't work for me, but I'm glad it helped you.
 
DakotaGuy said:
I'm sure the same could be said for that new treadmill or exercise bike that someone received for Christmas one year which now sits in the basement collecting dust and cobwebs. :)
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Heh. Not quite the same, actually. The treadmill/bike never tapped me on the wrist making me look down to see "time to walk/bike" and such. But more to the point, the watch can be used to do all kinds of different exercises, rather than the treadmill/bike, which can only ever be treadmill/bike in type of exercise. This makes me far more likely to listen to the watch rather than I would to that treadmill/bike.

Which is to say, the watch is more like a personal trainer than a piece of gym equipment (i.e. it encourages me to do whatever fitness routines I'm into at the moment--walking or biking or lifting weights--and up to whatever level I'm currently at). People stop doing treadmill/bikes because they grow tired of the routine, have no encouragement or reminders, or push themselves too much--have too high goals rather than gradual ones. That's why such equipment ends up in the basement.

Now, of course, I can turn off the health reminders on the watch (won't make me put it in the basement though, as it does all kinds of other things as well) if I don't want to do the exercise or be reminded that I'm not doing it. But I think, like a personal trainer who offers encouragement as much as urges us to keep at it (as compared to the damning silence of a fitness machine), we might be more inclined to listen o the watch a bit longer and with less resentment.
 
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BasicGreatGuy said:
I think it is a better bargain than the Apple watch, especially when you compare the anemic health software from Apple, with the robust software analysis of the Polar Flow app, Polar Beat app, or even Garmin's.
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You'll get no argument from me in regards to which is better if fitness is the primary aim; I'm sure you're right that these other devices are far better bargains in that case. However, I think the AW has an advantage for those who have trouble staying motivated or even getting started.

The problem with devices that focus on fitness is that they can be left behind. But the person wearing the AW is usually wearing it for other reasons: texting, apple pay, etc. Which means they won't leave the watch behind, and so they'll get the fitness reminders (providing, of course, they don't turn them off). Also, a lot of these wrist fitness devices are rather like those treadmills/bikes in the basement. The person gets that spiffy Garmin 220 with visions of transforming themselves from couch potato to marathon runner in five weeks. When they're still unable to run a mile by the end of the month, they get frustrated, blame it on the device, and stop wearing it.

Most AW buyers didn't get it just or even primarily for the fitness programs, and so it's less likely to be seen as a device that will magically transform one into an athlete. It's more likely to be viewed as a health "assistant." As most of the stories here show, that's pretty useful. I think, in fact, that it's been missing from a lot of the health devices out there. Most people don't need to be helped to run a marathon, they just need to do more walking. :)
 
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BillyTrimble said:
You gained weight because you wanted to, because you had no self control, because you didn't care, and on and on. The one thing that didn't cause you to gain weight was the watch. I don't which is worse, your statement or those who "liked" your post.
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I'm pretty sure it's because few people have a perfectly stable weight. I'm also pretty sure I didn't blame my watch for my weight gain. I'm dumbfounded by your interpretation.
 
I've lost nearly 20 pounds (see the attachment from my Withings scale app) and I'm in the best shape I've been in since high school.

For reference I'm a 6'4" male in his mid 30s

The Move ring is an incredible motivator for me. I watch it like a hawk throughout the day and if I'm falling behind I go for a walk.

Just having the Watch on my arm is an incredible motivator as well... just seeing it there reminds me to eat less and keeps me from snacking.

Everyone is motivated by different things. I'm happy to have found mine!
 

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thirteen1031 said:
You'll get no argument from me in regards to which is better if fitness is the primary aim; I'm sure you're right that these other devices are far better bargains in that case. However, I think the AW has an advantage for those who have trouble staying motivated or even getting started.
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I think this is a pretty good summary. I've had my watch for just over a month. One of the things I'm finding is that it is helping to keep me honest about my activity level. I also just realized how much activity I have at work. I don't spend as much time behind my desk as I thought. I'm finding that I am more of a slug during the weekends than I originally thought.

It is rewarding to me to slowly see the graphs trending up ... Well, except for the weight graph (Withings scale) which is slowly trending down. Yes, there are days where I don't get it done and that is okay.

Personally, I think Apple has done a good job on balancing the quantity of the small motivational nudges throughout the day. I'm actually occasionally using that dusty treadmill on the days when my counts aren't where I want them to be. :-D

And, yes, I too am watching my diet a little more closely. I still splurge a bit but a lot less than I used to. The watch's simple existance and its nudges are gentle reminders to take better care of myself.

And, yes, I do use it in ways that significantly lessen the number of times I'm reaching for my phone: What time is it? Who's calling? Is that a text and who is it from?

We will see how things are going in 6 and 12 months. ;-)
 
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JCrz said:
No—human nature is to follow fads. Trends come and go. People get excited about the latest stuff for a brief time period. Big news stories fizzle out. We get bored too easily and realize 99% of resolutions were only made to check a box or be like everyone else. That's just the way it is and always was. Let's be real here.
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Yeah. One size fits all, everyone is the same. Whatever works to cram the world into one viewpoint.
 
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Roller said:
As for fitness and activity, I've stopped taking elevators and have been using the stairs at work since I got my AW. You can argue that I'm subconsciously trying to justify the expense, but whatever the reason, it's changed my behavior, and I'm glad for it. The stand notifications are also helping, because my work is largely sedentary. Of course, I could do these things without an app or device, but I wouldn't, so the AW is making a difference. For me.
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My default recommendation is to get yourself a dog - that's much better for your health, fitness and your happiness than becoming addicted to yet another electronic gadget.

I really wonder how people became exceptional athletes in the past when there was no Apple Watch to remind them that they were not yet done with their daily exercises...
 
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Winni said:
My default recommendation is to get yourself a dog - that's much better for your health, fitness and your happiness than becoming addicted to yet another electronic gadget.

I really wonder how people became exceptional athletes in the past when there was no Apple Watch to remind them that they were not yet done with their daily exercises...
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The Apple Watch has been great for my dog too! To meet my goals I need to take him on longer walks, more often. He's getting to have more fun and more exercise.

Since I saw that the Watch was motivating me, I bought a Whistle ( http://www.whistle.com ) for my dog to keep track of his health a little more closely. Both the Watch and the Whistle help to make sure that he gets plenty of activity during the day.

This is NOT about becoming an athlete... it's about gaining motivation to live a healthier life. Why be nasty about something that people are finding to be a positive thing in their lives?
 
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Health is not just about calories and fitness but about caffeine too. For those who as me obsessed with tracking everything: sleep, steps, heart rate — I am writing Apple Watch app for tracking caffeine intake. It is integrated with Health. http://borisy.net/caffeine++

TFH3pHX.jpg
 
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I think a lot of naysayers are missing the point, and some of you have already pointed this out but it's worth repeating: most people didn't buy the Apple Watch to get in shape. If they wanted that, there are plenty of alternatives, from Fitbits to treadmills. The point is that they became aware of their health while using the Apple Watch and decided to make the best of it. The Apple Watch doesn't force you to do more activity and it doesn't expect you to show results immediately. All it does is give you a little nudge now and then that "hey, maybe you should move a little bit right now, it's good for you!"

Personally I have my periods in life when I want to get in shape, and then I lose interest. Usually I go all in and work out five, six days a week and eventually stop doing it entirely. With the Apple Watch, I have found the perfect balance because I don't feel the urge to go to the gym every day, only those days when my circles didn't get filled up "by themselves". :D

Would I get the same balance from using a Fitbit? Most likely, but it never occurred to me that I needed a fit band to get motivated. And that's the whole point people are making.
 
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The watch is a motivator for me too, though it took a couple months to get me out the door.

Honestly, to get your money's worth, I feel you need to use the fitness features. It makes opening the wallet for the device more justifiable. I'm enjoying the watch much more since taking advantage of the fitness features.

I'm sure Apple will feel proud about making the world that much healthier.
 
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Winni said:
My default recommendation is to get yourself a dog - that's much better for your health, fitness and your happiness than becoming addicted to yet another electronic gadget.

I really wonder how people became exceptional athletes in the past when there was no Apple Watch to remind them that they were not yet done with their daily exercises...
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I have a dog. She has a very different feature set than the Apple Watch. But, to your point, if the AW has led to me doing more exercise at work that I did previously, I see that as a positive side benefit.
 
fanboi4lyfe said:
...The fact you cannot input a workout you did without the watch on (swimming or if you forgot the watch) is a big minus. But hopefully that gets fixed over time in software updates. I'm hoping for WatchOS 2 but I haven't seen anything.
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Agreed. I started using the Speedo Fit app several months ago, primarily because it lets me log my swim data manually into Apple Health. Admittedly, the watch doesn't show my data in the "Rings", but at least my swim data is accumulating for now. Maybe we'll see improvements in OS2 and it'll actually get used?
 
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