7 Data Points on Your Smartwatch That Are More Important for Weight Loss

5. Stress Levels: The Cortisol Connection

Stress can be a significant barrier to weight loss, often leading to emotional eating and disrupted sleep. Smartwatches that measure stress levels, often through heart rate variability, offer a window into your body’s stress responses. By recognizing periods of high stress, you can take proactive steps to manage it through relaxation techniques, such as meditation or deep breathing exercises. Lowering stress levels not only helps prevent stress-related weight gain but also enhances overall mental health, creating a more supportive environment for achieving your weight loss goals.

6. Activity Minutes: Beyond the Steps

While step count is important, the minutes of activity you engage in each day provide a more nuanced view of your physical activity. Smartwatches track active minutes, which include any time spent in moderate to vigorous physical activity. This data helps ensure that you’re not only moving but also engaging in activities that elevate your heart rate and contribute to cardiovascular fitness. By focusing on increasing your active minutes, you can improve your overall fitness level and enhance the efficiency of your weight loss efforts, making each movement count toward your goals.