Watch What I Do Now

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For my big birthday, my kids gave me an ebike that I ride when I can, which admittedly is not as often as I want. But I’m working out more than before the bike. 

My husband gifted me an Apple Watch, having tired of me complaining about my old Fitbits and Garmins that never seemed to motivate me the way this thing does. Sure, there’s a ton of other functionality I use since my watch syncs to my iPhone. But the Fitness app is what gets me going every morning and sometimes well into the evening. 

It’s easy to use: Just open the app on the watch; select the type of workout; and it counts down to start times. I haven’t used it long enough for the watch to know my actual calorie burn, but whatever I’m doing is working. Once done, I stop the timer and then wait for my “rings” to update. There are three: 

--One recording specific movements that get the heart rate up 
--One that logs at least 30 minutes of daily exercise 
--One that reminds me to stand every hour 

So far, I’ve completed all three rings every day, though a couple of times I’ve had to go for a 12-minute walk to finish the exercise loop – this despite lifting grandchildren and walking a dog throughout the day. I had a similar “nudge” feature on my last Fitbit to stand but turned it off due to so many alerts. D’oh! I should have just stood up and moved around for a minute or two. 

Most of us “knowledge workers” do not get enough daily movement due to hours stuck at our desks. We’re trained to keep working in a state of flow when our bodies may actually need the opposite: For us to give the brain a rest and body a workout. But try telling that to clients paying you for your creative output on deadline. 

Still, turning 60 a month ago has made me recommit to self-improvement in a way earlier attempts failed. I’m never going to be as fit as my 30s or 40s, but I also don’t need to relive the decline of my 50s. I’m past menopause, so it’s time for the weight to come off and muscles to reestablish. 

It’s actually easier to find the time now that I’ve given up running. I’m realizing how much preparation went into even a basic 3-mile run around the neighborhood. There was the outfit selection, shoe condition, mental alertness – none of which matter as much when you find a 30-minute window and spontaneously decide to go for a walk. Or pull up your favorite Les Mills workout on demand. Or head to the gym to get in a rowing session. Or head out on your beautiful pedal-assist bike to see familiar surroundings from a new vantage point. I do get a good workout because I only use the electric battery on big hills, and then only on ECO or NORMAL mode, never HIGH. 

I can’t see a change yet, but I feel one. I have more energy and clarity when I need it. I feel a foreign looseness in my waistbands and pep in my step. My stress levels don't fluctuate as they have for the past four years. 

 All this from a piece of tech giftwrapped with a handmade tag that read: “It’s about time!”

Photo of my new bike, which I named Smirnoff in honor of being iced just before we officially met.

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