So, I am not entirely sure why I am even writing this post.. but, I thought it was interesting and wanted to share my little story. The point of this is not to encourage others to do the same as I did, nor is it to say the Garmin watch (or any smart watch) is not a good idea. I think they are all great, to a point. So, let me explain and lets see if anyone can relate with where I am coming from..
A year and a half ago I got out of bed and said “Enough with this crappy body, and lifestyle”. I was 37, 5’10 and around 176lbs. Most evenings after dinner it looked like I ate a basketball, or was about to give birth. Neither of which I was fond of. I needed to make a change. I have a 6yr old boy.. and a wife and I would love to see his wedding one day. Okay, so a change was needed and I know A LOT of people are / were in a boat just like this at one point in their life.
So I did.
Starting with diet.. I cut out all the crap, and started to eat the right things. I was careful not to “go on a diet” as this never works, and causes “yo-yo”.. I just sat down and thought about the food I liked, and did not like and figured out a meal plan of things that were healthy etc. Hard at first.. but, I type all this now 18-months later.. and I am still doing great 
Now, I decided I wanted a “Fit-Bit”. I told myself.. I needed something to help motivate me to keep going and to “see” the progress I was making. At the time, it was perfect.. and cheap. So, I got one. It was great! ….. for 3 months until it stopped working. Some more google, and I learned they are all crap and that Garmin was the winner. Off I went.. this time $350 in, and got the FR245M. WOW. LOVE at first wear. The eco system, the app, everything. Truly loved this and it did *exactly* that.. it motivated me to work harder, and I loved tracking everything. Very cool.
I will mention now.. that before any “smart watch” my Omega Seamaster (wedding gift) was glued to my wrist all the time. For good reason too, this is an amazing watch and honestly the most important “thing” that I will ever own. One day my son will have it. Etc.. But, now since getting the Garmin.. it just sat, all the time, un-used. (more on this later).
Now, the next step was gym / and some physical activity. The gym was scary AF but I had one in my apartment building that no one used.. and the hot girl was only there at night.. so I could be sure to avoid seeing her until I was ready. LMAO. Off I went each day (in the morning) to do my little routine.. and then after I would go for a run (well, what I would call a “run”. More of running for a min, than walking and wondering how I’m not dead yet.
Day after day.. week after week..
90-days later.. I lost 30 pounds.
4 months in, I hit the goal of 40lbs.. and I looked 10 years younger, and had the start of a much better looking body with a “flat-ish” mid section.
So, now.. things have been going great. I kinda hit a “ceiling” with progression (normal).. but, am happy where I am and what I now look like. This past Feb (before all this Covid mess) I decided to upgrade to the Fenix 6s. I figured if I am wearing this thing all the time now.. I might as well have the “nice” one. Better bands too. So, I did and.. love that too. Really think its an amazing watch for what it does.
Then.. one day about a month ago.. I decided to wear my “real” watch. I put on my Omega.. and was SHOCKED at how exciting that was. WOW! Felt brand new all over again, LOL. And…. I have not taken it off since (except for workouts).
Here is what I have concluded.. and what I would have done differently.
In the beginning.. the Garmin was what I needed. I needed that “new” shiny “thing” to help motivate me to keep going, day after day. Getting in bed at night, and looking at “wow, I did 9,000 steps and burned 2800cal today!” CooL! Was really great. I remember too, at one point I was like.. “why would people ever buy a normal watch now?” lol.. But, as time goes on.. and you get used to your workouts, you start to care a little less about “how many steps” you take.. or how many cal. Your burning today. Now, what I want to see.. is how much my bicep has grown (or not). Lol. Ya know?
So, it hit me.. all at once.. that while there is a SUPER good reason to buy a watch like this (any of them really) it does not need to be, nor should be your only watch (unless of course you want it to be). If you are a runner.. then, yes.. this is EXCELLENT! When I run, I have this watch on and I love it. When I bike tho.. I use the dedicated EDGE 530.. no need for the watch at all, and no weird tan lines either. When I workout, I really stopped using it. I don’t care how many cal, etc.. anymore. It makes no difference. What I need is an interval timer for HITT or just to replace “reps”. And any $60 Casio can do this. (granted I wear the Garmin, but ironically don’t even bother recording the workout.. just use it as a timer). This is because I don’t “track” workouts.. whats the point? I track things now based on how I feel, and common sense.
So, the other 99% of my day.. when I am not working out, or running, or biking..
I wear my Omega!
Yeah, so.. I wish I never spent all that money on the 6s and all the bands etc.. when the FR 245 was all I needed. I need the watch for running, and for timing during workouts. That’s about it. I may even sell it! LOL. I just don’t see a need for it anymore. I no longer need that “motivation”, I no longer care about steps, or calories, I am no longer trying to loose weight, I don’t have any heart condition (and I already see the HR on run days, and bike days anyway.. no need for 24/7).. so, honestly.. I think the lust is over with this. It also occurred to me.. that a watch like this.. gets updated every few years, decreasing in value. My Omega.. never. Increases in value each year. Yeah, it just (for me) makes no sense.. and I never thought I would say that! I think I look at it now like, the Garmin is very much a “tool” to get the job done.. and my Omega (or any other regular watch) is something more “special” that makes more of a personalized statement etc. While, wearing a Garmin all the time is fine for some (and was for me for a long time) I can now see there are two very different sides to this. For fun, try wearing a non “smart watch” that is nice, for a few days.. and see how you feel. Maybe you will come to realize what you thought you needed, you.. don’t!
That’s my story. Hopefully it was worth reading. There is no wrong answer here. If you love the Garmin / any smart watch… your right (and I love them too!) If you have gone through what I have and came to the same conclusion.. then, I you are not alone 
Thanks guys!
T
