I've come to the realization that the number-one biggest, worst obstacle in the way of me getting healthy is the fact that I don't have hobbies. There are some things I enjoy doing somewhat - jigsaw puzzles, playing my Wii, analyzing my budget (yeah, I know, I'm a HUGE dweeb), but you'll notice that the one thing all of those activities have in common is that they involve me sitting on my butt. They're also not really fun - just good for killing time.
Sometimes, I wonder what exactly I'm supposed to be doing rather than eating, and I'm at a loss, and then I eat. So I figured I'd ask around to see what other folks my age are doing to battle the boredom that can all too easily lead to going off-plan. Maybe some of you have ideas I haven't thought of!
When I was in junior high, I played volleyball. I was pretty bad at it, since I was short and generally un-athletic, but I enjoyed it anyway. Most of the adult recreational volleyball options here in the city, however, are on the beach (no thanks, I don't like sun OR sand) and I'm a little too intimidated to drag my beginner-level big butt into a league full of strangers.
More recently, I took private ballroom dancing lessons - that was very fun, but I have a difficult time convincing myself that the cost (private lessons are very expensive, and group classes are cheaper but less effective) is worth it, especially since there's no regular social outlet for it. It's not as if this is 1942 and I can just head down to the local dance hall and foxtrot the night away with all the eligible young men who also magically know how to dance.
I've considered piano lessons (always wanted to learn!), bowling league, and volunteering, though I'm having a tough time getting inspired.
The best hobbies are the ones that keep your hands busy. I multitask all of the time. I will knit and watch a movie sometimes. It's great for when I'm not feeling a hundred percent and I don't want to just mindlessly eat. I have definitely read a book while on the treadmill; though I am not recommending it to anyone who might night be too coordinated. I picked up the knitting to build steadiness in my hands and it's worked thus far.
I'm a horseback rider, and that consumes a HUGE chunk of my time (let's face it, MOST of my time) which can be both good and bad! It doesn't leave me a lot of time for other things, up to and including more vigorous activities. However, it's probably the only reason I'm not 50 pounds heavier then I am now.
I am learning to loooove bike riding again. It's difficult right now, I get butt cramps from the stupid seat, but it's wonderful fun and serves a great purpose - I make myself bike to the store now.
From one dweeb to another (i love writing out my budget and playing my wii too) i know its not really "active" as such but it keeps your mind active and your hands active and you get something out of it at the end, like triptritrip I have taken up knitting and crochet. I took to knitting much easier than crochet and as with everything there are so many resources online, i like ravelry, there's lots of free patterns and youtube have lots of videos if you're a complete beginner.
I like to do things that i have something to show for it at the end, its not expensive and you end up with some pretty cool stuff and a sense of satisfaction at what you've made. Like I said i took to knitting more than crochet but if you're a nintendo fan like me then crochet might be right up your street, you can make mario's and mushrooms and yoshi's and stuff (all on ravelry) I was amazed at all the stuff you can make with just a needle and some yarn.
I enjoy crafty things, and make a lot of my own bath products, jewelry, and knit items (scarves, hats, etc). All of those keep the hands busy, plus they produce useful items that make great gifts or are nice to keep. I second the idea that it's nice to have a hobby which is fairly inexpensive and produces something useful. Sometimes, if I just need something to occupy my hands, I knit hats using my leftover yarn for the local homeless shelter. They put out a request last year for hats in children and adult sizes, and it's been really neat to see some of my hats around town this Winter, keeping kids and adults warm.
I also have a fairly large garden, and tending it takes up a good amount of time - plus I like foodie crafts (cheesemaking, pickling, canning jams, etc), also either to keep or for gifts.
If you spend a lot of time budgeting, have you ever considered couponing? I know that the perception is that most coupons are for junky food that you don't want to be eating for health reasons, but I've found that isn't the case. Our recent scores for free, nearly-free, or far less than retail have been things like mustard, greek yogurt cups, coffee, Advil, nail polishes, deodorants, body wash, and sugar free gum. We're not buying anything we weren't eating anyway, but my wife really enjoys hunting for bargains and we've shaved quite a bit off of our grocery budget doing so. Sort of a strange hobby, but if you like number crunching and budgeting, it might be right up your alley.
I love reading and learning new things. Are there any subjects you've ever wanted to learn about? Philosophy, biology, art, Greek history, anything? Go to a library and start picking books randomly. You'll usually get crap but you can find sometimes find something you never thought existed. It's quite fun.
Ever been to the site meetup.com? They've got book clubs, hiking clubs, game clubs, etc. Not only a great way to find new fun things to do, but you meet new people!
I like reading, listening to music (I usually don't eat while I'm listening to music. I don't know why), participating in ham radio stuff, wandering around my city on foot, doing some occasional photography, and volunteering at my local public library. If I had more time I'd join a bowling league. I used to do martial arts, but I feel a bit too heavy for that right now. That was a lot of fun, though, and I'm looking forward to getting back into it at some point.
I think everybody else has had some really good suggestions. Do you have any interest in gardening? It's pretty easy to set up a little indoor planter, and that could keep you busy.
I love to read, love to write (which is income as well as a hobby for me, so that's fortuitous), love to play any number of games on our PS3 or my computer, love to draw...hmm, yep, all completely sedentary activities. Hah, I'm as sessile as a sea sponge by nature.
However, over the past six months I've realized that I ALSO love yoga. I heartily recommend taking a class, whether it's ballroom dancing or bowling or yoga or cooking (well, okay, that last one might be rough depending on your plan ) if you can afford it. It may sound a little corny, but my YMCA membership has been life-changing for me, and I don't even take advantage of most of the classes they offer.
Edited to add: FlipFlop Love, if you like editing pictures for fun, have you looked at Worth1000.com? I used to enjoy it a lot before my Wacom tablet died.
Last edited by Nola Celeste; 05-28-2011 at 07:22 PM.
I love to hike, bike, write, read, knit, and sew. Also, my ferrets are also my passion-I love them, researching ferret information, taking care of them, playing with them, and generally cuddling and bonding with them. I know it is lame, but when I feel like I have to eat even if I am not hungry, I go get ferret kisses. Sometimes, it's not really food that I want, it's affection.
Having younger brothers has actually given me a new hobby recently, but it leaves me sitting for a long time: gaming. I love the COD series and Halo.
Aside from that, I like reading, brushing up on my Spanish (I love telenovelas), and learning new languages. I'm working on French and several Asian languages that I'm interested in.
I would really love to try ballet when I'm a little further along in my weight loss journey.
Hobbies! What do you do for fun?
They're also not really fun - just good for killing time.
