motivating

Polar RC3 GPS Review

The following post is sponsored by Fitfluential LLC on behalf of Polar.

A short while ago, I asked my Facebook fans what kind of heart rate monitor they would suggest. Literally seconds later, a huge rush of comments suggested “POLAR!”

I had never used any type of heart rate monitor before. Only the unreliable ones on the treadmill or elliptical at the gym. Being the luckiest girl in the world, Polar contacted me to try out their new Polar RC3 GPS heart rate watch!

I have literally never been so excited to exercise in my life until I met my Polar RC3 GPS! As you guys know, I’m not a huge fan of working out, I more of a walker/barre class-er, but being on #TeamPolar has pretty much changed my life! It has been so much fun to take my Polar with me to spin class and on runs and actually see the hard work that  have accomplished. With the RC3 GPS, not only does it track your calorie burn with the heart rate sensor, but it also uses Integrated GPS to track your route, distance, and speed. It’s so rewarding and exciting to checkout all of your stats after a workout. Another feature that I love about the Polar RC3 GPS is that you can sync all data from your watch and upload it to your free Polar Personal Trainer account and compare workouts to improve your performance and endurance. This is also where you can see your runs on the map!

Polar RC3 GPS Review

Essential features in one compact package:

  • Tracks your route, speed and distance using built-in GPS
  • Shows GPS based altitude during and after training
  • Training Benefit gives you instant feedback after your session
  • Running Index scores your performance
  • Improves performance with endurance training programs, downloadable for free from polarpersonaltrainer.com
  • Compatible with Polar running and cycling sensors
  • Rechargeable battery, 12h in continuous use with GPS on

Polar RC3 GPS Review

What’s in the box when you purchase a Polar RC3 GPS with heart rate?

  • Polar RC3 GPS training computer
  • Polar H3 heart rate sensor
  • USB cable
  • RC3 GPS Getting Started Guide

The Look: because I’m a girl and I like pretty things!

  • Comfortable watch band with endless sizing options
  • Super slim design as compared to other HRM (heart rate monitor) watches with integrated GPS
  • Large display for easy viewing
  • On the Polar website, this particular watch color is listed as “orange” but I would like to tell you that it’s definitely a bight red-orange! Similar to Pantone: 1797C if you want to get specific!

Polar RC3 GPS Review
Polar RC3 GPS Review
Polar RC3 GPS Review

The pros:

  • Easy to setup and use
  • Comfortable watch band with endless sizing options
  • Trusted ECG-accurate heart rate monitor
  • Integrated GPS. No need for an extra device or arm unit
  • Accurate GPS and map viewable online
  • All data can be synced to your free online Polar Personal Trainer account
  • Super slim design as compared to other HRM watches with integrated GPS
  • Large display
  • Holds data for various workouts
  • Heat rate sensor allows you to view your average, maximum, and minimum heart rate
  • Records calorie burn and fat burn %
  • GPS feature records altitude (maximum, ascent, and decent)
  • Records average and maximum speed
  • Charges via USB which makes it easy for me to charge through my computer, iPhone charger base, or even my interchangeable USB car charger
  • Can set to do interval training
  • Really motivated you to do your best and improve your performance every time!

Polar RC3 GPS Review
Polar RC3 GPS Review
Polar RC3 GPS Review

The Cons:

  • Hard to hear the watch beep for interval training, I wish it was louder or had a vibrate function!
  • You cannot forget to charge the watch. Even if it has about 1/4 battery life, it may not let you start recording a workout.
  • Only IPX 7 waterproof, which means its safe in a rainstorm, but not safe for swimming.
  • I wish this particular heart rate sensor had bluetooth so I could sync it to my iPhone as well
  • Also wish that the watch could sync wirelessly to my computer to download data, but now Im just being picky! hahaPolar RC3 GPS Review

The Battery:

  • A fully charged battery gives 12 hours in continuous use with GPS on, and up to 1700 training hours with the GPS off.
  • I quickly learned the hard way that the GPS feature is pretty draining. I wasn’t expecting to charge my watch every 3-4 days after taking it to 45 minute spin classes, but then found out that it was because GPS was enabled. Since I don’t need GPS to route my stationary bike, I solved that problem and the battery life has been excellent.

Polar RC3 GPS Review

PolarPersonalTrainer.com website:

  • Accounts on PolarPersonalTrainer.com are free
  • Data is easily synced via USB
  • Extremely easy and flawless download system
  • Logs all of your training files
  • Compares training files to help you improve performance and endurance
  • Shows your GPS recorded route on a map
  • Provides printable training programs

Polar Personal Trainer
If you love exercising outdoors, the integrated GPS on the Polar RC3 GPS with be your new best friend. If you’re more into workout classes at the gym, there are other excellent heart rate monitor watch options on Polar’s online shop for you to checkout.

If you’re tight on cash or simply not a fan of watches, Polar also has a free iphone appPolar Beat” that is compatible with their H7 Bluetooth Heart Rate Sensor Strap ($79.95 on shoppolar.com and often less on websites like amazon.com)! Just strap on the heart rate sensor, connect with bluetooth on your iPhone, and your heart rate and calorie burn will be visible on your phone!

Having a Polar RC3 GPS has been so motivating for me! I can’t imagine workout without it now!

Show Polar some love:
Facebook.com/polarusa
Twitter.com/polarglobal
Instagram.com/polarusa
Youtube.com/polar

Do you have a heart rate monitor? If so which one do you have and what do you think of it?

Being A Bridesmaid

Being asked to be a bridesmaid is ones of the biggest honors. There is nothing more exciting than being a part of someone’s big day. Last summer I was asked to be a bridesmaid in my college roommate Jocelyn’s wedding. Of course I gladly accepted! I can only imagine how beyond gorgeous her wedding will be and how stunning she will look walking down the aisle. My roomie is a looker! Such a beauty, and her future hubby is just the same!

roommate baking timeThrowback to the good ol’ college days circa 2007: Jocelyn (the bride!) and I baking with our bff Betty Crocker! Classy as always Catherine… way to go!

Lakers gameLakers game circa 2007 with Ryan, Jocelyn, and her now fiance Ryan!

Along with the bridal showers, bachelorette party, and wedding weekend festivities to look forward to, there is a little something else… the bridesmaid dress. I’m sure if you have been in a wedding before, you can definitely relate to my battle with THE bridesmaid dress. Luckily, my friends have exceptional taste, so I’ve never been disappointed with the bridesmaid dress selection! However, I am ALWAYS disappointed in the bridal salons and brands who sell bridesmaid dresses. You’ve heard the spiel, “please give us the measurements for your bust, waist, and hips and we will order your dress accordingly.” In a matter of seconds you go from your usual size 26 jeans to a size 10,000 dress. They assure you that due to your measurements, size 10,000 would be the best fit. Umm I think not! Well, let me tell you that this just happened to me.

I sent in my measurements, and was told that I would be in a size 20 dress! After accomplishing and maintaining my weight loss and recovering from my eating disorder/body image issues, this was probably the last thing I wanted to hear. I know I know, the size of your clothes shouldn’t matter… But sometimes, it’s just upsetting. Especially after all of the hard work you put in. Of course I started tearing up, and my mind instantly went into ED mode again. All over a stupid number. Jocelyn was pretty surprised about the dress size that the salon wanted to order for me, and she was so sweet about the situation. Apparently I’m not the only bridesmaid with an odd dress size!

Bridesmaid dress designers often make garments that run extremely small. I totally understand that it’s all about the bride. Duh! But do they need to make the bridesmaids feel insecure and bad about their body in the process? Oh, and for the record they should make all wedding dresses a size “awesome,” so everyone call feel freaking awesome on their big day! These companies make the process of ordering a bridesmaid dress so unpleasant sometimes. Not only do they make you feel like a whale, but once the size 10,000 dress that was “selected according to your measurements“ arrives, it’s ginormous and needs hundreds of dollars in alteration$! Bridal salons must be making a killing off of alterations!

The entire situation of ordering my bridesmaid dress got me so down. I was talking to my friend Taryn, and she was telling me almost the exact same story about a dress that she had ordered. She helped me realize that it didn’t matter what size dress they put me in, it’s going to end up being altered, and beautiful. No matter the dress size, I am so honored to be in Jocelyn’s wedding! She has always been such an amazing friend to me, and I cannot wait for her happily ever after! A silly number is not going to ruin the excitement of this big event!

I’ve caught myself getting down on myself over numbers recently whether it be the scale, measurements, or clothing sizes. When this happens, I have to take a step back and look at all of the accomplishments that I’ve made. A scale cannot measure passion, ability, strength, compassion, or your potential. A number cannot define you or tell you how beautiful you are. A number is just… a number, and you are so much more than that. So no matter how far you have to go on your journey, or how many times you have fallen off of the wagon, know that you are beautiful, and worth so much more than a silly number.

Positive Motivation Scale
Positive Motivation Scale 1

You is kind. You is smart. You is important.” – The Help

Question: Has a number ever made you upset?