Read More About Garmin Watch Features
I vividly recall my first encounter with a “Garmin.” It was a bulky device that plugged into my car’s cigarette lighter, boasting a touch screen and the ability to provide on-screen and verbal directions to any entered destination. It was truly remarkable at the time.
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That was years ago. Since then, I’ve owned several Garmin products, but there’s one that has made a significant impact on my life – the Garmin Forerunner watch series. This line of watches has completely transformed the way I live for the better.
About three years ago, I began experiencing various health issues, including sleep disturbances, frequent headaches, and acid reflux. My doctor and I discussed the possibility of blood pressure medication, in addition to the regular stomach medications I was taking. The doctor, in his straightforward manner, said, “You’re too damn fat. You need to lose weight.”
Rather than being offended, I was grateful for his honesty. I already knew the reasons behind my declining health, and I understood that it was within my control to change it. Unlike some health issues, mine was controllable, and I possessed the physical capability to make better choices. However, I was hesitant to confront the reality of my decisions and the self-discipline required to make lasting changes.
Over the next year, I made gradual progress toward improving my physical fitness and making healthier choices. For me, weight loss boiled down to the simple equation of calories in versus calories out. While I experimented with different eating styles like Keto, I soon realized that there were no sustainable shortcuts for me. If I became inactive, I gained weight, and if I didn’t eat healthy, I lacked the energy to stay active.
My ongoing struggle was finding the motivation to exercise consistently. Some days, I would be physically active on the farm, while others would be spent sitting at a computer or driving for extended periods, losing track of time. When I stuck to a regular workout routine, it was easier to stay on track. However, if I missed a few days, it was effortless to fall into a cycle of procrastination, resulting in weeks of weight gain.
During this time, my wife Tracye and I reignited our passion for cycling. It was an activity we had dabbled in before, and I had cherished the experience since my childhood. Our cycling journey started with a competition hosted by Tracye’s company, promoting an active and healthy lifestyle. The competition involved tracking the number of steps taken by each team, with cycling cadence counting as steps in the app they were using. However, we soon discovered that the phone’s tracking accuracy for cycling cadence was subpar.
Tracye had purchased an Apple watch a year prior and had been using it successfully. Intrigued by how the watch tracked her activities, I began researching other options. Although I had no bias against Apple, I wanted to explore other brands. That’s when I stumbled upon the Garmin watch line. While not specifically designed for cycling, these watches offered an array of features that caught my attention.
During a trip to Virginia, I found myself passing by one of my favorite outdoor retail stores, REI. If you haven’t visited REI and have a passion for the outdoors, you’re truly missing out on a special treat!
I ended up purchasing a Garmin Forerunner 255, and that single decision changed everything. Today, I own a Garmin Forerunner 955, Tracye sports a Garmin Fenix, I gifted my brother a Forerunner 255 for Christmas, and I passed down my old 255 to one of my closest friends. These watches have become indispensable in our lives.
Every morning, I wake up to check my sleep report, which provides insights into the quality of my sleep and
overall restfulness. It also presents my body battery or training readiness level and suggests the appropriate type and intensity of workout for the day. With a constant reminder on my wrist, I can easily keep track of the number of steps I’ve taken and receive gentle prompts to move if I’ve been sedentary for too long.
The accompanying phone application keeps tabs on my training progress and informs me whether I’m maintaining, progressing, or “detraining” (losing fitness). Although this is a simplified view, it gives me a sense of direction in my fitness journey. And the versatility of these watches extends beyond cycling. We use them to track various activities like biking, hiking, swimming, strength training, yoga, and more. From elliptical workouts to high-intensity interval training and treadmill sessions, you can track virtually any exercise you can think of. The watches even allow for customized workouts, enabling you to monitor reps and more accurately gauge your progress.
Furthermore, these watches offer connectivity features that allow you to link up with trainers, friends, or groups. While I personally enjoy connecting with friends and family, engaging in step challenges from time to time can add a fun competitive element to your fitness routine.
However, what truly sets Garmin watches apart is their ability to keep you motivated along the way (although I suspect other watches can achieve similar results, I’m just hooked on Garmin). The watches provide several metrics that you can actively work on improving. Each milestone you reach earns you badge points, whether it’s hitting 10,000 steps in a day or completing your first 5K run. Accumulate enough points, and you level up.
Another compelling metric is the fitness age calculation. While some may argue about the validity of individual metrics, focusing on the overall trend is key. You strive to improve your fitness age and V02 Max score, both indicators of your cardiovascular fitness and endurance.
But it doesn’t end there. The watches also assess your sleep score, shedding light on how certain habits impact your sleep quality. By focusing on factors like avoiding caffeine after 4 PM or refraining from late-night snacking, I’ve managed to significantly enhance my sleep and overall restfulness.
Wearing the Garmin watch has become a daily ritual for me. It serves as a constant reminder to prioritize my health, occupying my thoughts from the moment I wake up until the final moments before I sleep. The positive impact on my life has been undeniable.
My brother often jests about how the watch chastises him for stress or inadequate sleep. He enthusiastically talks about it in almost every conversation we have. Given his six months of experience with the watch, it’s safe to say that it can genuinely make a difference in your life.
Garmin offers a range of watch editions, and while the more expensive models may have additional features, I recommend researching their specific purposes before making an investment. Most of their running-focused watches, including the basic ones, offer the core functionalities I’ve mentioned. Some may focus on body battery instead of training readiness, but Garmin regularly updates their software, so it’s possible that this feature has been incorporated into other models as well.
If you’re considering trying a Garmin watch, I’d love to hear your feedback and thoughts on how it enhances your active lifestyle. Let’s embark on this journey together and embrace the joy of staying fit and healthy.
Remember, age is just a number, and it’s never too late to prioritize your well-being. Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or someone looking to improve their overall fitness, Garmin watches can be your trusted companion, guiding you towards a more active and fulfilling life.
So why wait? Let’s get active and make the most of every moment as we embrace the adventure that lies ahead. Explore the world, challenge yourself, and experience the wonders of a vibrant and healthy lifestyle with Garmin by your side.
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