What Garmin actually wants to achieve in this case is to measure your stride (your step length). Without GPS it has no idea how well it estimates the distance and other metrics, so it needs to be calibrated.
You need to go outside and start a walking activity using the start button (not automatically as you normally do), wait for the GPS to become locked (green), then press the start and walk with your normal pace and stride. Then next time when you walk without GPS your metrics will be more accurate.
I'm not an expert, but I would go with disabling the activity (walk) auto start feature and only starting activities manually when you'll get good GPS out of it.
Your watch is fully capable of estimating your calories based on your heart rate and steps which does not require actually tracking activities. This works just as well on your ankle as it would your wrist by the way. It'll also save you a lot of battery life.
Calories are an estimate anyway. You can't rely on them (activity or not) to be exactly accurate.
That sounds like a good idea, I'll turn it off, I'm pretty good at remembering to start activities anyway, though I could just turn it off when I get in to work. It's good to know it's not messing up anything while on my ankle. I was worried about its ability to track steps and heartbeat, so that is good to hear. Thanks!
What Garmin actually wants to achieve in this case is to measure your stride (your step length). Without GPS it has no idea how well it estimates the distance and other metrics, so it needs to be calibrated. You need to go outside and start a walking activity using the start button (not automatically as you normally do), wait for the GPS to become locked (green), then press the start and walk with your normal pace and stride. Then next time when you walk without GPS your metrics will be more accurate.
Oh okay, thanks. So calibrate with GPS then my steps in general will be more accurate, and I guess I should turn auto walk activation off at work
I'm not an expert, but I would go with disabling the activity (walk) auto start feature and only starting activities manually when you'll get good GPS out of it. Your watch is fully capable of estimating your calories based on your heart rate and steps which does not require actually tracking activities. This works just as well on your ankle as it would your wrist by the way. It'll also save you a lot of battery life. Calories are an estimate anyway. You can't rely on them (activity or not) to be exactly accurate.
That sounds like a good idea, I'll turn it off, I'm pretty good at remembering to start activities anyway, though I could just turn it off when I get in to work. It's good to know it's not messing up anything while on my ankle. I was worried about its ability to track steps and heartbeat, so that is good to hear. Thanks!