Methods, computer systems, and computer readable media are provided for promoting positive activity patterns for users and facilitate long-term adherence to the activity patterns, such as by providing alerts or electronic reminders to ambulate in a fashion that is responsive to an individual's actual activity patterns and behaviors and compatible with routine activities in the workplace and home. In particular, embodiments of the present invention are directed to measuring physical activity patterns during the waking hours of a human, and in some embodiments continuously measuring these activity patterns； automatically ascertaining whether the patterns exhibit sufficient frequency and variability of activity such as confers certain health benefits； and if the patterns do not manifest such features, to adaptively provide sensible reminders at irregular within-day intervals such as are likely to establish healthy patterns of ambulation and other light activity.
