digital health

My 50th Birthday

~ MaryG ~ 9 Comments

Share one of the best gifts you’ve ever received.

My dear friend Susan made my 50th birthday special. (She makes every occasion special.) Not only did she help me plan a dinner in a restaurant, but she also invited my guests back to her home afterwards. She and her lovely daughter created thoughtful touches like chocolate covered strawberries, a sign, and birthday confetti. I really felt special!

And then, on top of that, Susan gave me my first Apple Watch. A very generous and EXCITING gift! It was June 2015 and Apple had just come out with watches that spring. I remember they seemed so weird and futuristic at the time. I really didn’t understand what they were or how they worked, but it was so cool to have one of my own! It was silver with a white sport band. I’m sure I never would’ve bought one for myself (or I would’ve taken many more years to try one).

It was a very exciting gift and I ended up loving Apple Watches. I’ve upgraded to new models several times. As I’ve mentioned, I’m a good candidate for digital health products. I’m motivated to “close my rings” daily and I like getting the colorful little “medals” for special challenges. I was thrilled when Apple came out with the waterproof version, so I could wear it in the pool and get “credit.”

So, not only was it a generous and thoughtful gift, but I truly believe it’s helped me stay healthy in my fifties.

Thanks Susan. I love you!

My 50th birthday sign in Susan’s apartment
Special touches by Susan 💕

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Digital health target audience

Digital health target audience

~ MaryG ~ 6 Comments

What is your favorite form of physical exercise?

I’m a fan of the big three: walking, swimming and biking. I don’t go crazy doing any of them. Unlike my husband, I’m a believer in the “everything in moderation” philosophy.

Walking is certainly the easiest. Just put on sneakers and open the front door. I typically walk 2-3 miles. When swimming, I do laps in a 25-yard pool for 30-40 minutes (total yards are less than a mile). I get the least amount of credit from my Apple Watch for biking. I go slowly on a paved rail trail. Eight miles is a long bike ride for me.

So, I’m very boring. By contrast, my husband took up competitive powerlifting at age 60 and now holds multiple state records. He works out with 25-year olds and has a terrifyingly intense coach.

Sometimes I get a bit creative in order to close the rings on my Apple Watch before the end of the day. I was a majorette in high school and still have my old silver baton. I set-up “baton twirling” as an exercise category on my watch and will occasionally do a quick routine to “Second Hand News” by Fleetwood Mac or “Physical” by Olivia Newton-John, just to close my watch rings.

I guess I’m exactly the type of person that the digital health movement is aimed at: the lazy-to-moderate types who need some positive reinforcement to keep moving.

A typical “pat on the back” from my Apple Watch