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| Peggy and Judith taken on our walk this morning |
I'm not sure what Peggy is staring at in the picture above, but I know that several times today I was also staring at my health app on my iPhone 6, while we were on our 5- or 6-mile walk. I didn't even know it was there, but one day earlier this week I saw Smart Guy pacing back and forth and staring down at his phone. "What are you doing?" I asked, and he told me about this built-in step counter on the new IOS 8 operating system (it's only active on the 5S and 6 phones, though).
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| The health app has a heart on it |
I had placed that app in that upper-left-hand folder called "Unused Apps" because I didn't know anything about it and didn't really care. But when I learned that it has been logging my steps and mileage, along with elevation, without me doing anything at all, I pulled it right out of that folder and started paying attention to how many steps I take every day.
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| My weekly steps and mileage |
And lo and behold, there without my doing anything special except carrying my phone with me, I found my daily activity level. So now I keep checking and try to keep my phone on me whenever I'm exercising. The early ones in the week had my iPhone in my locker during class, and then I started to carry it during my workouts, and sure enough, I get enough exercise to be mostly classified as "highly active."
If you take fewer than 4,500 steps a day, you are considered sedentary. From 4,500 to 7,500, you are "low active." And by the time you get to 10,000 a day, you are "active." Actually, above 12,500 steps is where you are considered "highly active." I figure that those two first days of the week would push me into that category (I'll know more next week), but you can see the upward spike for Thursday's hike, and when I looked at the monthly log, there it was: Thursday is always showing a spike.
It's a little scary to realize that while I wasn't paying any attention, my smartphone was watching me and counting my steps! But now that I know about it, I'll be keeping my eye on IT!
:-)
laughing at 'big brother phone' but it's true. :) my samsung has a health app in it that i've never used, either. guess i should check if it's been watching me, too.
ReplyDeleteI suspect I would have put you into the highly active category without the benefit of an app - but love that you have found something 'more professional' and believable than me.
ReplyDeleteThe 'big brother' element is quite scary. Take care not to look at it whilst walking. It would be awful to trip when you are trying to check how active you are!
ReplyDeleteI use a similar app and it's always interesting to see how far I have walked each day. It's a great motivator!
ReplyDeleteUnbelievable. I don't have an iPhone but I can understand why it might be addictive.
ReplyDeleteWe both have fitbits. I don't know who made those guidelines...someone sadistic no doubt. I am working toward 2 miles a day...and some days I make it and some days I don't....often times late at night I am walking circles in the house! Gene is at 3 miles plus a day. The Fitbits seem to motivate both of us:)
ReplyDeleteI've got some sort of health app on my Samsung Galaxy S5, but I've never bothered to try it out. I have a Garmin watch for running and a GPS for my hikes, so don't need it.
ReplyDeleteKeeping track of things not only gives you information but allows you to set goals.
ReplyDeleteI bought a fitbit this week. Weird how my steps show up on my phone!
ReplyDeleteYep, I found this little app way back in february when we were hiking in the mountains and I had carried my phone all day in my pocket. I don't carry my phone all of the time, so all of my steps don't get measured. I went shopping the other day and forgot my phone at home. Drats! All those steps that did;n't get measured!
ReplyDeleteI'm still waiting to upgrade, but I'm worried about what I'm going to find out. I know I don't walk nearly enough.
ReplyDeleteWhen I got my new 6+, i discovered the app and its been working silently in the background. No need to turn it on, or start or finish the appl, for its always working. I started using it the moment I bought it and love that it works on its own, unlike my other activity app. Glad you discovered yours. Great, eh.
ReplyDeleteThis app is one of the coolest apps that comes with the iphone. I carry my phone with me everywhere!
ReplyDeleteMine would say deceased as I don't carry it on me except when I leave the apartment--and you know how often I leave the apartment--ROFL!
ReplyDeleteIt is unsettling to know our phones know more about us than we do.
Amazing what these phones do these days! I must have a look and see if I've got one.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great app! Just what I need - another app to become addicted to. I do love my iPhone, but only have the iPhone 4... and it does go everywhere with me. My kids have the iPhone and the Fitbit. And yes, DJan, I think we would have all put you in the *highly active* category... and didn't need the app to do it.
ReplyDeleteSo THAT'S what the heart on my iPhone is for! Who knew. I'll check it out. Thanks for the tip.
ReplyDeletexo jj
I used it while we were in New Orleans and loved finding out that I COULD walk 10,000 steps a day, or more. Switched to the Fitbit because I just can't remember to keep my phone with me all the time. And PS, I already would put you in the VERY active category!
ReplyDeleteStrange to me but then I worry about information overload on my limited amount of brain cells...:)
ReplyDeleteBoy if you weren't classified as highly active, there would be no hope for the rest of us. Guess you could say I am on the cusp of of low active. and active. Hope to change that soon.
ReplyDeleteNow I'm wondering if there is an app like this for Android. Will have to go check.
ReplyDeleteYep, found one for my Android....
DeleteSo far, 755 steps for the few minutes I just walked to test it out.