I Have Diabetes, and This Garmin Dexcom G6 Integration Is the Fitness Tracker Integration for Me – Self

Another interesting development is how Ive started connecting the subtlest initial physical sensations of impending low or high sugar to my readings. Those earliest symptoms (like feeling a teeny bit faint or having a quickened heartbeat with low blood sugar, and a slight tinge of nausea or dehydration with high blood sugar) can mimic some of the effects of exercising, so its trickier for me to discern what is blood sugar-related or not during a workout. Checking that real-time data point against how my body is feeling more frequently has been helpful for learning more about what these sensations are indicating.

While I mostly exercise at home, Ive also used the Venu 2S while hiking in the mountains or at fitness studios in the city. It makes checking my blood sugar less of a hassle and more subtleI can do it while in downward dog or on a Pilates reformer, for instance.

Before the Garmin, Id generally leave my phone in my bag during classes and look at my blood sugar on my pump. While I usually give the instructor a heads up that my insulin pump may beep during class, I still get side-eye from people (who perhaps think Im checking my phone), and sometimes the instructor forgets and says something too. Thats not on meand no one should ever feel like they should conceal their medical technologybut I do like having a more discreet option thats there if I want it.

My biggest surprise is how the Dexcom-Garmin integration has become a useful component of my diabetes care outside of working out too. There are so many times during the day when glancing down at my wrist is simply more quick and seamless than consulting my phone or insulin pump. (Wearing my Garmin nearly around the clock is easy given the impressive battery lifeas someone with a habit of letting my devices die, I love that a full charge lasts a good four to five days.)

Ive found the watch useful while driving, walking, showering, booking it through the airport, and even getting a massage. Its also been clutch in certain social situationswhile out to dinner with a friend, at a movie, or on a date, for instance. (My phone is often in my bag and my pump tucked in my back pocket or bra, making it a little awkward to fish out.). Plus, I like not having to take out my phone mid-conversation.

Something else I appreciate is how the customizability of the Venu 2S lets me take what I need from a smartwatch and leave the rest behind. I can turn off a lot of the notifications that feel excessive and pare down the data visible on the screens so Im not overwhelmed by metrics. Ive only scratched the surface of this watchs tracking capabilities, but the reality is that Im already required to quantify and monitor so much when it comes to my health for the sake of diabetes management, that adding more of that to the mix is just not a priority.

Outside of the CGM functionality, I really like this watch as a general fitness tracker. The touch screen, side buttons, and accompanying app are all simple and intuitive to use. While I havent utilized some of the Venu 2Ss more advanced fitness tracking capabilities, I still find the most basic metrics valuable. I love seeing my heart rate get up there when Im really pushing myself, as well as my heart rate range breakdown after my workoutit enhances my sense of accomplishment more than I thought a number would. Im a big walker, so I like the step count function too. And the distance tracker was helpful while hiking.

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I Have Diabetes, and This Garmin Dexcom G6 Integration Is the Fitness Tracker Integration for Me - Self