When I was sick with Covid-19, I experienced a range of symptoms that made it nearly impossible to keep up with my usual exercise routine. Despite knowing that rest was necessary for my recovery, I still felt disappointed when I couldn’t meet the goals set by my Apple Watch. So when Apple announced that rest days would be included in watchOS 11, I was overjoyed.
The introduction of the ability to pause Activity Rings and adjust goals based on the day of the week in watchOS 11 is long overdue. The fitness industry as a whole has been moving away from gamification and towards prioritizing rest and recovery for some time now. This shift is important because as motivating as streaks can be, they can teach us to ignore our body’s cues.
Throughout my experience with illness, I have heard stories from friends who pushed themselves out of bed when they were sick just to maintain their exercise streaks. Others have lowered their goals but still felt guilty for “cheating.” The impulse to keep a streak going is powerful, but it’s important to recognize that our ultimate goal is to improve our health. Feeling like we can’t take a break because of an arbitrary streak goes against this goal.
In reality, rest is a crucial component of any effective fitness plan. Runners who don’t include rest days in their training often end up injured. Rest is also essential for building muscle. Elite athletes have recognized the importance of recovery and sleep, which is why many of them use trackers like the Oura Ring or Whoop that prioritize these aspects.
The introduction of the ability to pause Activity Rings in watchOS 11 is a great idea. It allows users to take a break for as long as they need without feeling like they have failed. It acknowledges that rest is necessary and that taking breaks can actually help with long-term motivation. For example, when on vacation, it’s okay to relax and spend time with family instead of worrying about fitting in a workout. Allowing ourselves these breaks can ultimately help us stay motivated in the long run.
Another feature I’m excited about in watchOS 11 is the ability to adjust goals based on our schedules. This makes it easier for beginners to stick to a plan. If lowering your move goal on days when you’re busy at the office and then increasing it on the weekends helps you stay on track, why not take advantage of that? While it was possible to manually adjust goals before watchOS 11, automating the process makes it feel more intentional and eliminates any irrational guilt about “cheating.”
Apple may not be the first company to implement these types of features, but that’s not the point. When we are trying to improve our health, it can be incredibly helpful to have a system that allows for imperfection. It’s inevitable that we will face challenges that break our streaks, whether it’s illness or other life events. In my own experience, breaking my longest Move streak was difficult, especially when I was already dealing with personal trauma. It took me months to get back into a fitness routine.
Looking back, I can’t help but wonder if having the ability to pause my streak from the beginning would have made it easier for me to recover mentally and physically. Some may argue that features like these are a crutch and that they indicate a lack of discipline or mental fortitude. However, I believe that fitness should fit into our lives, not consume them entirely. The inclusion of rest days and adjustable goals in watchOS 11 is a much-needed step towards making fitness more flexible and accommodating to our individual circumstances.
In conclusion, the introduction of rest days and adjustable goals in watchOS 11 is a significant development in the field of fitness tracking. It allows users to prioritize their health and well-being without feeling guilty for taking breaks or not meeting specific goals. By acknowledging the importance of rest and recovery, Apple is aligning with the industry’s shift towards a more balanced approach to fitness. This update serves as a reminder that our bodies and minds need time to rest and rejuvenate in order to achieve optimal health.
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