WHY I BROKE UP WITH MY FITBIT

We’ve been in a serious relationship for almost 3 years now, my Fitbit and me. We started off all shiny and new, we communicated well, shared promises and goals. We went on beach walks together, he gave me the affirmation I craved. But I eventually realized he was adding an entire layer of stress to my life—and I never signed up for more stress. So a couple of weeks ago, I officially broke up with my Fitbit. It’s still fresh…

I know that there are millions of Fitbit enthusiasts out there, and I honestly don’t want to rain on their parade. I was marching alongside them right up until recently. If it works for you, I say that’s awesome. Exercise and health are huge—I would never say otherwise. But if the passion turns to obsession or anxiety, that’s when we need to take serious steps (no pun intended.)

I realized I needed to break up with my Fitbit when it was no longer life-giving to me. It was life-draining:

I’ll raise my hand and say there were occasions when you could find me sprinting on the spot like a lunatic in my bedroom at 11pm—because I was only 875 steps away from my daily goal. Sad but true. Ask my husband (the guy rolling his eyes.)
One of the reasons I got my trusty fitness-wrist-friend was because I’m a writer and I need to make sure I’m not sat on my derriere hunched over my laptop all the day long. But those “helpful” little reminders-to-move that give you a minor electric shock saying “jump up for 250”—they were a source of frustration when I was mid-flow in writing a novel plot. They caused me stress. But I also felt guilty ignoring the little guy…
I began our relationship wearing the Fitbit to bed to see what a fabulous sleeper I was (because I actually am—again, ask the guy still rolling his eyes) and was mortified when I discovered the results. I was restless, had interrupted sleep, and needed at least another 3 hours to be in normal mode. This news was exhausting and not even a little bit encouraging. I stopped wearing it to bed.
Then there were the times I forgot to slip my Fitbit on my wrist when I worked out. I would be in a Zumba class, look down and realize none of this work counted! 7,000 steps down the swanny. Disappointment prevailed.

Yeah, I had issues. Oh, I loved it when I reached my daily goal and experienced the “party on my wrist”. The confirmation of achieving certain badges and doo-hickeys was amazing. But honestly, numbers freak me out. I’m not a numbers girl. (That’s why I married a numbers boy.)

“The world and all its wanting, wanting, wanting is on the way out—but whoever does what God wants is set for eternity.” 1 John 2:17

So here’s the thing: in my daily life, I want to focus on what is truly important—actually, on what is important for eternity. I get so easily distracted by the frou-frou. I veer down rabbit-trails. I succumb to the pressure to perform in too many areas of my life. Can you relate?

It might not be in the form of a fitness band strapped to our wrists, but perhaps we are driven by the compulsion to constantly check numbers elsewhere—Facebook likes, Instagram followers, bank accounts balances, bathroom scales. Friend, it’s exhausting.

“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Colossians 3:2

If I had a tattoo, I think it would be that verse. And it would be tattooed on the inside of my eyelids so I could read it with my every blink. I’m a slow learner. But I know we are in a race, and that the end is always in sight. I also know that I don’t need a Fitbit to tell me how far I’ve come or how many more steps I have left in me. That’s down to my Heavenly Father, and I choose to trust Him implicitly in that.

Is anything giving you an extra layer of unnecessary stress? Sometimes we need the pace of the race to slow right down. “Eyes on Jesus”—just writing those three words decreases the anxiety a notch. Rest in Him.

Me and the Fitbit, we’re just good friends now.

We hang out casually sometimes when I’m at the gym or out for a run (okay, fast-walk), but not obsessively. I’m also seeing other watches. I’m appreciative of the time we had together and that I know how much exercise is good for me each day. But I’m also grateful that since the break-up, I have freedom from one more thing that was causing me stress.

And more room in my heart for the things of eternity.