Getting an Apple Watch - Why the Wait?!

WHAT TOOK ME SO LONG?

For years now, I've desired the stylish looking fitness tracker that seems to become more perfectly developed with each model released. In all honesty, I've delayed the purchase because I was nervous my obsessive habits would take control again, mandating I burn a certain amount of calories each day to prevent feeling guilt. I worried that if I achieved an extreme calorie burn one day, I would fear doing any less in the days following. Thus, I became anxious that I would eliminate any rest days even when they are SO necessary for my muscles, joints, nervous system, and ENTIRE SELF to recover.

Fortunately, I finally feel at a healthy enough place to have an Apple Watch and not obsess over every number that pops up. I have promised myself not to obsess over setting new records and simply appreciate when new ones happen to be made. I don't attempt to reach any caloric burn each day, I just follow the workouts I have planned for myself and feel much more informed about my effort levels from the insight of my watch.

WHICH APPLE WATCH MODEL DO I HAVE?
I was fortunate enough to have sweet lil Santa spoil me with the Series 3 Apple Watch this Christmas😜... It truly has everything I need - I'm notified about texts, calls, e-mails, Venmo payments, Facebook messenger, Uber, Google Maps,... seriously everything you could imagine. It's typically not the easiest to respond unless it's something short & quick, but you CAN use the watch to answer calls and respond to texts, (via drawing with a finger).
The watch is also fairly waterproof! It's certainly not designed for deep water diving, BUT it is definitely suited to survive shallow waters less than 50 feet in depth. It's perfect for swimming in pools, steam rooms, & showers, but Apple does recommend you avoid its contact with soaps & shampoos as they can hinder the waterproof seal.
I also love the aspect of changing the stylish bands. They are extremely easy to slide in & out, yet very secure during exercise. MAKE SURE to purchase the correct style & fit for your specific watch (the model type is listed on the packaging), but you can truly find any style your little heart desires! AND please check Amazon before dropping way too much money at Apple 😆... I bought 5 new high quality bands each for about $7.99, both sporty styles and some better for my school/work outfits!

THE ACTIVITY ASPECT
There are 3 main movement rings programmed into the watch that track activity throughout the day. The red or "move" ring tracks and records the amount of calories burned in a day, the green "exercise" ring tracks the minutes of exercise completed, and lastly the blue "stand" ring records how often you stood up for a minute or longer within the hour.
I also LOVE how it has a constant tab on heart rate! I find it so fun to view where my heart rate peaks during the workout, what my max is when I really feel as though I'm pushing my hardest, and the amount of time it takes me to recover to my resting rate.

I have mixed feelings about the activity tracking. I do feel that it's the main purpose of the watch and am in no way suggesting Apple removes these features HAHA. I think it serves as a wonderful tool to track workouts more accurately, and thus best calculate individualized macros. Even if you're not into tracking so closely, it is absolutely entertaining to see how much is exerted during a workout and to beat records previously made. HOWEVER, I do think the watch can allow for someone to adopt or fall back into obsessive behaviors - burning a certain amount of daily calories, working out for a certain amount of minutes, or achieving a number of steps, etc. As I said earlier, this was my main hesitation in purchasing the watch at all. But after enough time and reaching a healthy point in my recovery, I now feel I'm ready for this challenge.

HOW DO I PREVENT OBSESSIVE BEHAVIORS?

There are some tips & tricks I've picked up since getting my Apple Watch that I know keep me from obsessing over any numerical values. On days I know I'll be less active, i.e. rest days, I won't even wear the watch or I'll turn it completely off! I know I could if I wanted to, but it also elicits unnecessary stress about not moving enough that I truly would rather avoid. 

I'll also focus on my workout for THAT DAY and that specific day only. Instead of comparing it to more rigorous/intense workouts and feeling unaccomplished, focusing on that specific workout helps me feel productive no matter what. 

AND I still make it a point to enjoy workouts with it off! I've talked to many people that cannot start their day or head to the gym before charging their watch, a habit that just wouldn't work for me... It almost seems to take the fun out of training?? IDK it could just be my opinion! Tracking and goal setting are awesome and enjoyable, but I DON'T need to feel obligated to track each workout I do. Exercise should be done to feel good and improve health, not always to hit a specific number or goal. Mixing in an untracked workout keeps me sane and mentally much more in control and relaxed about the use of my Apple Watch.

I hope this proved helpful for both current Apple Watch users and for those debating purchasing one?! I may even add to this post as I learn more about the watch, I'm truly still such a newbie! Love y'all and thanks so much for reading. All feedback, comments, & questions are more than welcome below. Many more posts to come:)

XOXO - Coco

(@cocos_gymsta)