Question:
Has anyone started a hobby post-op?
My question is about emotions post op. Some of you have mentioned boredom. Question: Have any of you started a hobby to deal with the boredom? I know that one needs to do physical exercise and I plan on going to the gym as soon as the dr recommends, so I know that that will take up some of the boredom, and it should help some with the possible depression. But I guess I am wondering if I will feel like developing my artistic side post op. Have any of picked up an old hobby or started a new one as you adjust to the new you? Or will we still be focusing on food, but with a different focus how to feed our new tummy, preventing nausea or dumping and taking the protein supplements etc? — sissie S. (posted on July 28, 2003)
July 27, 2003
I have always loved to read, so that didn't change. I am more physically
able to garden now, so my yard looks better. I take yoga and bike ride in
my community now. I can fit into the seats, so I go to concerts, plays and
movies more frequently. As for taking up knitting, ceramics or some such
activity, no, but I am not terribly attracted to them right now...give me
some more 'snow on the roof' and I'll get back to you.
— merri B.
July 27, 2003
Wow, what a great question. I wish I'd thought to ask that at some point
over the past two years since my surgery. I still twiddle my thumbs in
boredom. I was a decorative painter before surgery and just haven't really
been able to get back into it. I do walk 3-4 miles a day 5-6 days a week,
but that's usually to eat my lunch hour (pun intended). I've seriously
considered doing some volunteer work with elderly shut ins....now I just
need to figure out how to get involved with that. I was brainstorming in
bed about that just last night actually...I think I'll look through the
phone book blue pages. Another thing I did recently and would like to
"get into" is a cooking class at one of those interactive
restraunts...it was a low fat/calorie theme. Since I'm such a lover of
food, and so tired of spending my life running away from it (only to have
it attack me late at night)I've decided to submerge myself into
food...finding low fat/low calorie versions of all the things I love...I
still haven't been doing too well with that though...always seems to be a
high fat version in easy reach...but it's something I'm trying to focus on.
Sorry for so much rambling this morning...I hope you get a lot of good
answers...I'll be checking back myself. -Kim open RNY 7/17/01 -145ish
— KimBo36
July 27, 2003
What a great question. I am 2 months out and find myself bored in the
evenings. My husband and I have always been movie /TV buffs when we get
home from work. That is the worst time for me for snacking and eating
foods I know I shouldn't. I should get a new hobby that I can do while
watching TV, maybe cross stitch or another craft.
— Heather M.
July 27, 2003
Hello,
I am one year post op, actually a year and three days. I soon
discovered that i needed a focus other than food after surgery. I have
discovered beading. Whatever it is you may be interested in; even if you
don't know what it is i suggest taking one day or half day classes;
anything from community colleges, ac moore, craft classes, etc. etc. It is
a wonderful way to see whether or not you are interested in certain new
skills and often a possiblilty to meet and make new friends. I have taken
dozens of classes since my surgery, even pilates, ocean kyacking and yoga
plus losts of beading skills classes, weaving, etc. etc. Sometimes I
discovered they weren't for me which is fine; but often I discovered new
interests and occasionally the same folks will be in the same classes so I
have made new friends. My total focus used to be on food.....that had to
change.
Best of luck to you.
Monika Walls
— Monika W.
July 27, 2003
I'm pre-op, but I do scrapbooking. I'm saving pictures so I can work on
them after.
— JoSyrNY
July 27, 2003
Great question. I've tried to replace eating with exercize but so far no
luck, I want to be addicted, right now exercize is like brushing my teeth,
I do it everyday but I'm not excited by it. I enjoy sewing and needle work.
I bought a knitting machine last fall (surgery July 02) and have made lots
of hats and some sweaters. I'm also making my 21 yo son a western shirt
(sewing for myself is a little risky size wise). I also have been doing
cross stitch. I started back to that when my husband had wls in May and
then he spent most of June in the hospital so I got a lot of crossstitch
done. I also now volunteer with Youth Friends and spend 30 min. once a week
in school being a childs buddy. Lots more energy and the world is my oyster
(drugs help the depression also). Good luck - try lots of stuff.
— Sunny S.
July 28, 2003
Hi Sissie, believe me, I know what you're going through! Due to some
chronic illnesses, I am home all the time. And I have to overcome that
boredom eating thing! I've taken up scrapbooking a few years ago. Once I
get into it with all the pictures and albums and stickers, I can sit there
for hours to pass the time! I also have started reading again. If you want
some recommendations of good books- e-mail me! ([email protected]) I also
pet-sit. I love dogs and can use the money since I cannot work or finish
school yet. Goodluck to you :-)
— Lezlie Y.
July 28, 2003
Hi, I am still pre-op, but I started Zoloft last year and when I did, I
lost alot of my cravings, so I started crocheting an knitting again. I've
found that these activities help keep my hands busy while I'm watching tv
so I don't think about food nearly as much. I also have several co-workers
and friends who are having babies, and they love the hand-made booties and
bibs I make them. I also love to make doilies; I feel like crochet is a
lost art. I intend to do this when I'm post-op, and like some of the other
posters, I intend to do some scrap-booking. Needlework is also very
relaxing as it can be very repetitive and almost puts you in a meditative
state. So between crochet, knitting and petting my cat, I'm pretty relaxed
most of the time! :0)
— Moysa B.
July 28, 2003
The first month or so I was consumed with what to eat and when. Just
readjusting my lifestyle. Then I realized I had a lot of time on my hands
(single mom with kids every other week) so I am catching up on all the
stuff that I've been needing to do. Ironing is almost done! I found tons
of clothes to wear in that pile. I'm also getting my house organized....I
think I moved in and just threw stuff where I needed. So organizing my
life keeps my mind busy. Then I will turn to putting those pictures in
albums. Exercise is a must but not enjoyable. I've decided to accept it
as so for now.
One thing I want to say....I just got back from a 4 day business meeting
where all they did was feed us. It finally hit me that I had to let food
go. Sort of like saying goodbye to my marriage and my job I recently lost.
It was a revelation but I felt the release in my mind and it was great.
It did not matter I could not have the chocolate pie. It would have been 2
minutes of gratification. I hope this sticks with me!
— Sharon B.
July 28, 2003
Yes, I am going to start scrapbooking. I have so many photographs from
very special trips and occasions with all types of momentos!
— cutebrunette 1.
July 28, 2003
— sissie S.
July 28, 2003
HI I started a new hobbie pre-op hoping to help me post op 1 i started
crocheting blankets, i am running out of people to give them to so i will
donate them, second i signed up as a volunteer on obhelp.com, making
profiles pretty and adding peoples photos. Not only am I busy but I am
making other people happy. If i feel like i need to snack i get busy with
one of my new hobbies, can't eat if my hands are busy another thought if
you are an emotional eater when you make a blanket you have to count the
stitches or it will start looking funny. You can not obsess about a
problem while you are counting soo I hope this helps I can'[t wait until I
am post op but it will be in the fall. Good luck to you. Sue
— susan B.
July 28, 2003
SHOPPING! I need a 12-Step program!
— sherry H.
July 28, 2003
I am sure SHOPPING will be a problem, with the new smaller sizes and all.
I have two adult daughters who have promised to pass on all sorts of sizes
of clothes till I reach my goal, but somehow I know that SHOPPING will be a
problem for me too! I just can't wait to be in smaller sizes!!!! Wish I
had a date for the surgery, waiting is not helping me develope patience. I
am so ready emotionally.
— sissie S.
July 28, 2003
I wanted to learn to sew. I took what was suppose to be a 2 hour beginner
sewing class where we were to make a bag. I was there 4 hours and only had
two panels. It was very frustrating....but I would like to finish it I
just need to buy a sewing machine...when I hit the century mark...14 pounds
to go!
— Sarahlicious
July 28, 2003
I've taken up playing the drums. I am about to start taking lessons and I
can't wait to buy my first drum kit. How fun! :o)
— Jennifer A.
July 28, 2003
Well I started eating more when I quit smoking. If I am able to have WLS I
plan to use all of this scrapbooking stuff I bought and never used. :>)
— doodlebug
July 28, 2003
What a great question!
I stay pretty busy anyway (fulltime job, my own business, volunteer work
and a lot of working out), but love having hobbies to keep from munching in
the evenings. I know this is a problem for a couple of my friends. I do a
LOT of beading (I know they have to be getting sick of getting the gifts by
now!), cross-stitch, gardening, etc.
The devil (A.K.A. the refrigerator) makes work for idle hands!
— kultgirl
July 28, 2003
I read alot and I've also started scrapbooking. I fixed up my guest room
as my "hobby room" complete with computer and TV. I find that I
can lose myself with this hobby. I tell my hubby that I'm fulfilling my
artistic/creative side and my shopping side (scrapbooking supplies can get
expensive) all at the same time.
— Karen H.
July 28, 2003
I know what you mean. I'm worried too. I am a quilter and also love to
sew, etc. which I do now because of physical limitations I can't do
"active" hobbies. I won't be able to do much other than walking
until I get some weight off. So, I decided to "reward" myself by
taking on another hobby. I've been interested in scrapbooking but just
hadn't jumped in so that's what I plan to do post-op until I can get more
physically active. I have 14 nieces and newphews and loads of pictures,
drawings, programs from school activities that they have been in and I went
to, award ceremonies, etc. so I plan on making a scrap book for each of
them. I think it will keep me occupied in between walks and I'd really
like for them to have something special from their most favorite aunt!
— Deborah F.
July 28, 2003
Another scrapbooker here. I had surgery August of last year (2002) and
started scrapping in December 2002. It's a fun hobby and I know I wouldn't
have gotten into it preop. One reason is preop I didn't want to take the
energy to do anything even a sedentary hobby like scrapbooking. Another
plus is I now enjoying going to crops and socializing. I would have not
wanted to leave my house for these things preop and of course the shopping
for scrap supplies. I'd of not wanted to walk around the stores looking at
scrapbooking supplies preop. I love my new hobby and I have made new
friends both in person and online because of it.
— Carrie D.
July 29, 2003
What a great question. I am since yesterday the proud owner of a new set
of golf clubs. I will be trying my hand at it soon after a few lessons.
It's funny how my weight loss and activity level has affected my family
too. My hubby has lost weight as well as both my children. We are all
making better choices as to what to eat and what to do with our time.
Hubby and I were already avid scuba divers before, but now are getting the
kids lessons and me and the kids are going golfing with Hubby. This
surgery was deffinatly one of the best things that has happened in my life.
Oh.. also I was very into gardening before but have really gotten into
roses. I am up to 35 rose bushes in my yard now. Woo HOO .. and they are
all in bloom. Hugs and smiles to all
— MnShadows
July 29, 2003
again with the scrapbooking! I do mine in my bed at night (Nowhere near
food!) and I can work on it for hours, I turn my attention to it during the
day (always in search of a momento, or just the right caption, and taking
lots of pictures.) you can even plan pages as your doing other things, such
as when your at the stop sign you can think Huh! I can cut out a large stop
sign and put the pictures of my two year old on her bike around it! then
you have something to plan and look forward to that isn't edible!
— SHILOH S.
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