Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for holding the generation of alarm and congratulatory messages. One method includes an operation for capturing motion data using an activity tracking device. Intervals during a day are identified, each interval including a start and an end time, and a near-end time being defined between the start and end times. Another operation is for generating a first notification for display on the activity tracking device when the near-end time of the current interval is reached and the steps taken by the user during the current interval is less than a goal of a predetermined number of steps. Further, the method includes operations for receiving a hold command with a hold period, and for suspending the generation of the first notification during the hold period. After the hold period expires, the generation of the first notification is resumed without requiring user input.
