In the past I spent my free time going out with friends for a drink or to restaurants for delicious meals. Lately I've noticed I've been replacing those activities with shopping - not exactly a wallet friendly activity! I'm wondering what kinds of social activities everyone does in their free time that don't involve drinking, eating, or shopping!

I still go out with my friends or family - if it's for supper, I check the menu or call the restaurant to make sure I know what is "safe" to order ahead of time. If people are meeting up for drinks/socializing (for me that usually involves karaoke) - I happily sip my water while they have their drinks, and we have a great time! Remember that when you get together with friends, the SOCIAL aspect is what is important, not the food/drink that goes along with it

What Scorbett said. Basically I do the same things I did before IP on the weekends, except without alcohol at dinner. And I don't exercise as much. She's right - it's about the social time, spending time together, talking, laughing, gossiping - not about the food or alcohol

Weekends. I finally don't have to mow!!! I and our pup like to sleep in until 9am, hubby sometimes sleeps in, sometimes not. When the coffee goes on I get up. Now I have to have my IP meal, it used to be a nice slice of homebaked bread toasted. More coffee. Followed by a long river walk with the pup or a hike up the nearby Badger Mountain. Followed by errands like going to the dry cleaners. Lunch. Back home in the afternoon for chores or leisure time for knitting or spinning. Dinner. Hubby watches sports on TV, I watch movies on my iPad. Then another long dog walk before late snack.

You can see my weekends are about as boring as they can be!

sleep :-(

Just because we are on IP doesnt mean we have to be anti-social. You can still enjoy a dinner out with friends, just select IP friendly items. Skip the alcohol and enjoy the conversation!

I'm sort of happy to see that there are others who spend their weekend sleeping and cleaning. That's what I usually do, plus church and occasionally a date night or something for the kids.

Thanks the replies! Haha you guys are funny. I've noticed I go to bed earlier on week days to avoid getting overly hungry late at night. The walks would be nice if it weren't so cold out! I still go out with family and either eat ahead of time or get something IP approved. Last weekend I went bowling and had a soda water with lime so I at least felt like I was drinking with my friends.. I ask mainly because my birthday is approaching and I want to do something exciting without ruining my diet. A delicious dinner can be postponed until I've phased out!

Great Dane I see we are in the same area. I have climbed Badger once that is a killer!! Might try it again when I have a little less weight to pack up there

That is NOT boring - it sounds like exactly what I do! Weekends are all about taking the pups out for good long walks along the river, then hoping my work is caught up so I can pick up my knitting (or quilting) and brew a fresh pot of coffee . . . . and just to prove I'm more boring than you , this time of year my leisure time is accompanied by sappy Hallmark Christmas movies!

Hi 4Mom. Yes Badger gets easier when there is less "baggage" to cart up the hill!! To remind myself how much less I am carrying, I recently picked up a 30 lb bag of dog food at Paws Emporium. Wow! I'd hate to be carrying that up Badger again!

Oh my goodness it IS Hallmark Movie time! I guess mine is sorta boring too, but I do cleaning, movies, watch the NASCAR race, sit on the porch and read my NOOK. (When we are not at a baseball tournament) Since I have dropped some weight I am also working in my yard which I love and wasn't able to much before when I was heavier. I am going to a wreath making class tonight.
Somehow all the things I used to love doing I quit doing as I gained the weight, so I am trying to add them in a little at the time as I gain confidence in myself. It's fun fun along the way!!
As far as 'great meals out', there are a lot of great things I still eat at restaurants. How about sea bass and grilled veggies? Or a filet? I just tell them no butter or whatever is not IP friendly.