[bacbilla]

Getting COVID.

I've just turned 30 and I used to do a lot of cardio exercise. Over the past few years as other things have taken priority, I cut back. I'd try to do something every day but would often miss days and the workouts would be short and poor quality.

After getting (fortunately mild) COVID I was worried about cardiac issues when I resumed exercise. I decided to buy an Apple Watch to monitor my heart rate and use the ECG functionality.

A few months later, and the big thing I have learned about myself is how well I respond to "gamification" of habits. I now HAVE to close my exercise rings every day, and it's immensely gratifying to track my overall health improving - I did not realise how out of shape I really was. I'm sleeping better, a lot more productive, my mood has increased significantly, and overall I feel much better in myself.

It's also lead to me using other "habit forming" apps (I use "Streaks" - https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/streaks/id963034692) to change things I don't like about myself and generally become a better person.

Overall, I've learned a lot about myself and how I'm motivated.

[baron816]

Sounds more like buying the Apple Watch was the contributor to you happiness. Had someone gifted it to you, might you have had the same outcome?

[heyoni]

I’ve had my watch for over 2 years now and I’m in the same boat as OP. Gamified cardio with Streaks and 2 miles a day goal and have been going for 75 days. I’ve been insanely productive the last few weeks and there’s no other way for me the explain it other than the fact that running makes me feel good.