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I didn't anticipate the Motivation Benefit

ufgatorvet

ufgatorvet

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Oct 1, 2010
313
379
Savannah, GA
Just wondering if the AW has had the same effect on others as it has me .. it makes me want to get out there and do more everyday, close the rings, complete the monthly and special activity challenges, hit my steps goal, etc. My wife knows that it is nearing the end of the month as I am "out there" trying to close the rings! :rolleyes:

I did not anticipate this benefit of the watch when I first bought it 2 years ago (I wanted to enhance my communication abilities and connectivity with others).

Am I healthier than before I bought it? ?‍♂️ Hmmmm, but I feel healthier!
 
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I think I'm one of the only people that has the exact opposite experience with the rings. I've always disliked the idea of being a slave to gadgets or letting technology control me, so I often make the conscious decision to NOT get that extra one minute of exercise to close a ring, or to NOT burn those extra ten calories to cap off what would otherwise be a perfect week or sometimes, month. ?

I do like the fact that the Apple Watch tracks exercise sessions in terms of time spent, heart rate, and all that, but I've never felt compelled to close rings for the sake of closing rings. Like I said, I think I'm in the minority on that.
 
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Another one here that's finding the close rings and activity challenges motivating. Right now I'm challenging myself to walk outside once a day no matter how cold the weather gets. I used to go for weeks in the winter without stepping outside, but the watch has helped me set a different habit.
 
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mavis said:
I think I'm one of the only people that has the exact opposite experience with the rings. I've always disliked the idea of being a slave to gadgets or letting technology control me, so I often make the conscious decision to NOT get that extra one minute of exercise to close a ring, or to NOT burn those extra ten calories to cap off what would otherwise be a perfect week or sometimes, month. ?

I do like the fact that the Apple Watch tracks exercise sessions in terms of time spent, heart rate, and all that, but I've never felt compelled to close rings for the sake of closing rings. Like I said, I think I'm in the minority on that.
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Then switch off all the exercise notifications.
 
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Tell me about it…. 1462 days and counting….. Yes, it’s addictive.
 

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mavis said:
I think I'm one of the only people that has the exact opposite experience with the rings. I've always disliked the idea of being a slave to gadgets or letting technology control me, so I often make the conscious decision to NOT get that extra one minute of exercise to close a ring, or to NOT burn those extra ten calories to cap off what would otherwise be a perfect week or sometimes, month. ?

I do like the fact that the Apple Watch tracks exercise sessions in terms of time spent, heart rate, and all that, but I've never felt compelled to close rings for the sake of closing rings. Like I said, I think I'm in the minority on that.
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If you are making a conscious decision to not do something based on wanting to not get the ring, that is by definition letting technology control you.
 
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The S7 is my first Apple Watch and YES I'm all over this watch. Actually took a 10 minute walk around the house last night to hit my calorie goal!! I was only 15 calories short of my goal!! I have never had motivational issues with exercising but this watch and related fitness apps have taken it to a new level!!!
 
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mavis said:
I think I'm one of the only people that has the exact opposite experience with the rings. I've always disliked the idea of being a slave to gadgets or letting technology control me, so I often make the conscious decision to NOT get that extra one minute of exercise to close a ring, or to NOT burn those extra ten calories to cap off what would otherwise be a perfect week or sometimes, month. ?

I do like the fact that the Apple Watch tracks exercise sessions in terms of time spent, heart rate, and all that, but I've never felt compelled to close rings for the sake of closing rings. Like I said, I think I'm in the minority on that.
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I see it slightly differently to you.

Step 1 -decide what movement goals are ‘important’ to you, for me it’s60 minutes a day.
Step 2 program the Watch accordingly and it will remind you of things that are ’important’ to you.

By doing that I get away from the psychology of being told what to do by my tech.

If I fail to achieve that which is ‘important’ to me, I don’t feel bad, I just try and re-prioritise my life to squeeze it in in the future.
 
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mk313 said:
If you are making a conscious decision to not do something based on wanting to not get the ring, that is by definition letting technology control you.
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Only if I would have otherwise done the thing in question, which is absolutely not the case here. ?
 
I already exercised regularly before the watch, but I was absolutely shocked at how long I would go sitting without getting up while working. It absolutely changed that.
 
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Either my Watch 5 or Galaxy Watch 3 motivate me but it's not so much the rings, it's the coaching. Yesterday my Apple Watch seemed sad with the lack of activity and this morning it made me want to complete everything.

I do wish Apple believed in rest days or time off, however. If I followed everything it asked of me I'd likely be hurt or dead (following it too much earlier this year gave me plantar facilitis).
 
Absolutely. And in combination with Fitness+, it is even more motivating — seeing stats on the screen with the “burn bar” is pretty neat.

My 80yo mom is so into closing her rings too — walks late just to close them, hits up new Fitness+ workouts and I get notifications of which ones she completes — great device. I have multiple  Watches and the experience is seamless.
 
I love working out and being active, and when I’m not active, it’s because time and life obligations don’t allow it. some little colored rings on my watch have nothing to do with it. I do love AW overall, though.
 
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Did they ever make it where you can change the stand or exercise goals? I do feel that they could be a tad downsized. My Galaxy Watch 3 suggests 6 hours of stand not 8, and 450 calories instead of the 800 Apple Watch asks of me (I'm aware you can modify the move goal)
 
nickdalzell1 said:
Did they ever make it where you can change the stand or exercise goals? I do feel that they could be a tad downsized. My Galaxy Watch 3 suggests 6 hours of stand not 8, and 450 calories instead of the 800 Apple Watch asks of me (I'm aware you can modify the move goal)
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Yes, all three goals can be changed now.
 
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The whole motivation aspect is actually the reason why I bought my AW in the first place. Ever since I’ve been working from home during the pandemic I hardly moved at all, but thanks to reminders and wanting to close the rings I turned even more active than before. Good stuff.
 
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QCassidy352 said:
I love working out and being active, and when I’m not active, it’s because time and life obligations don’t allow it. some little colored rings on my watch have nothing to do with it. I do love AW overall, though.
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Guess I'm not the only one! ??

I do think it's great that 'closing the rings' is a motivation for many people though. Being active and trying to remain fit is fantastic for health, both physical and mental.
 
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It's certainly gotten me up off my lazy arse. I'm running 3 times a week and I haven't done that since ... well ... ever. Gonna start adding in weightlifting as well soon. Just didn't want to overwhelm myself since I've acquired COVID bod. What's better is the watch has made all this super enjoyable.
 
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