APPLE HEALTH APP: Best Practices For Someone New, Wanting to Get Healthy?

[HappyDude20]

Considering I'm brand new to using the Apple Health app, I'm wondering how to best approach using this app?

I know that my iPhone tracks my steps and within the Health App I can view my daily steps and flight of stairs climbed but am I missing something? I thought Apple Health was introduced many years ago; surely it can do more?

Or am I correct in thinking that perhaps there are a ton of other 3rd party apps that provide more functionality and Apple Health is just the place where everything comes together in terms of overall health?

I literally, just an hour ago, placed an order for an Apple Watch S3 and am excited to get it in the mail in a few days.

My goal is to track my overall daily stats and even input what I eat and drink. In another thread someone recommended the LoseIt app and also the FitBit app (although I don't have any FitBit product). Further, many years ago I used the LiveStrong MyPlate app on a daily basis inputting the info on whatever I ate. I would love an overall real view of my health and I'm not too sure where to begin. Again, I'm brand new to using the Apple Health app and what its all about; also new to Apple Watch.

 

[cdcastillo]

When I used a Fitbit (I was a faithful user for about 7 years; when they were sold to alphabet I deleted my account/data) I used a combination of the Fitbit app, Nike+ (latter Nike run, now NRC) and MyFitnessPal (even before it was bought by UnderArmour) to log and organize my exercise and diet.

Except the Fitbit app, every other app synced with what is now the apple Health app. For syncing Fitbit data I used another app called Sync Solver.

Nowadays I just use the apple activity app and NRC. Since I've been seeing a nutritionist (December 2019), I no longer log my food, I just eat what she schedules for me. I've lost about 17 kg (about 38 pounds).

 

[jzuena]

You are correct that the health app is a framework that other apps can plug into. You have steps and stairs from the phone itself, and you will get heartrate and breathing rate with your watch. We have a bluetooth scale, so we can track weight in health. I added a sleep tracker app to my watch, and a running app to the watch and phone and they use health. I have my doctor's portal connected so health has test results as well. You can also manually enter items in. We don't have bluetooth on our blood pressure device, so I manually add entries when I get a reading. There are lots of other things that interface with the health app.

 

[tranceking26]

I'm also trying to be more healthy.

I got a S3 watch not so long ago, and things have improved slightly, but with my current weight it's going to take a while.

I recommend the app called map my walk, it gives loads of information and it's nice to see the map they give you. A visual representation.

 

[trevpimp]

Apple Watch S3 is perfect. The health ring that accumulates throughout the day will guide you with your fitness goals.

As for apps I would recommend MFP (MyFitnessPal) for calorie counting and nutrient intake.

 

[HappyDude20]

You are correct that the health app is a framework that other apps can plug into. You have steps and stairs from the phone itself, and you will get heartrate and breathing rate with your watch. We have a bluetooth scale, so we can track weight in health. I added a sleep tracker app to my watch, and a running app to the watch and phone and they use health. I have my doctor's portal connected so health has test results as well. You can also manually enter items in. We don't have bluetooth on our blood pressure device, so I manually add entries when I get a reading. There are lots of other things that interface with the health app.

okay now you got me looking into all the HealthKit compatible products Out there. I don’t know why I would need an oximeter but I kinda want one. The blood pressure thing is cool. Also see they sell an EKG monitor. Considering I’m getting a Series 3 Watch this could be useful.

 

[cdcastillo]

...I don’t know why I would need an oximeter but I kinda want one...

In this pandemic days, having one is as basic a need as having a thermometer at home.

If (when) you get infected by SARS-CoV-2, the smart thing to do is isolate and monitor the oxygen saturation and temperature (85% of people infected will get a mild disease and will be fine after 5-10 days) if you have no risk factors (DM, HBP, Obesity). If the saturation falls constantly and sustainedly below 89% AT REST, you should rush to the hospital, otherwise, keep isolating. With risk factors, ask your doctor, but have the pulse oximeter at hand.

 

[sn1p3r845]

We have a bluetooth scale, so we can track weight in health.

Which one do you have?

 

[HappyDude20]

Which one do you have?

I purchased a Wyze Scale for $19.99 and frankly it’s been amazing.

Does so much. Very good purchase.

I’ve also since purchased an oximeter reader for $15 on Amazon and it works great. If that is the defining feature for the new Apple Watch Series 6 announced later this year then I won’t need to upgrade since the one I have with me now works great and I can just input the reading in the iOS Health App.

 

[calliex]

With the health app and apple watch there is a lot of data to look at. You can get graphs of calories burned by day, week and year. You can do that with steps, heart rate,etc. With series 5 and 4 you can take ECG nda save it to the phone. My wife suffers a heart rate that suddenly goes to 170. We were able to capture it with ECG and send it to her cardiologist. Plus the raw data can be exported to a spreadsheet for more analysis.

 

[cdcastillo]

And now, with all the nights on call (and the rotating work hours, and the atrocious eating schedule, and the cravings for junk food that come with the lack of sleep, and the added weight, etc, etc, etc...) I have HBP, and I couldn't resist getting a health app compatible BP monitor. Got the Omron evolve, and it is great.

Working currently on losing the added weight, already changed the eating habits (I got an earful from my nutriologist, whom I haven't seen in 3 months) and I'm trying to squeeze as much sleep as I can, even when I don't feel like I need it. The BP trend is already pointing down!

 

[jzuena]

Which one do you have?

Ours is a Renpho. Seems to do the job.