Looking to get fit in 2017? Your Apple Watch can help

By Lulu Chang December 28, 2016

Apple Watch Series 2 — Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

If your conscience isn’t enough to get you to stick to your New Year’s resolutions, maybe your Apple Watch will be. In addition to that imaginary angel sitting on your shoulder, you’ll now have a tangible wearable sitting on your wrist helping you to keep your promises. On Wednesday, December 28, Apple is rolling out a New Year’s challenge meant to help you start 2017 on the right foot.

Similar to the Turkey Trot-esque 5K Apple debuted over Thanksgiving to get people moving during one of the most lethargic of holidays, Apple’s Ring in the New Year Challenge is set to begin on January 2 (so you get a one-day cushion). It’s a simple concept — wearers are challenged to close all three Activity rings each and every day for a whole week. But because it’s a month-long challenge, even if you miss one week, you’ve got three chances to redeem yourself.

What does closing your Activity rings entail? Well, you’ll need to be mobile for about a minute every hour for 12 hours, complete 30 minutes of exercise every day, and hit your own calorie burning targets.

What do you get if you succeed? Well, other than the smug satisfaction that comes along with completing any challenge, you’ll be getting yourself in better shape (or keeping yourself in shape). And of course, Apple will reward you, too. No, you won’t be getting anything too exciting like a new gadget, but you will receive get a special achievement badge and free stickers from the Activity app.

Don’t worry, though. If you don’t want to take part in the challenge, Apple won’t ram it down your throat. The notification for you to participate will show up on your Apple Watch 10 minutes after the first time you put it on, and it will only show up once. That means if you dismiss or refuse it, you won’t be able to change your mind.

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