Need hobby ideas so won't eat
Patriots96
Posts: 96 Member
because if I have nothing to do, all I think about is food. Food makes me happy, I know that is sad but it is true. I have anxiety issues and few close friends so food is my comfort. I am not creative but need a hobby to keep me busy on weekends. I do volunteer work but I need something for my time at home. My sons no longer need me all the time so now I can do things I enjoy but I can't figure out how they translates into a hobby? I like taking pictures but my kids are tired of me chasing them around with my phone. They are now 19 and 14. Hubby has a hobby but I am not interested in fixing lawn mowers. What hobbies do you all have and/or what do you do so that you don't eat when you are bored or have down time?
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Try knitting! I know you said you're not creative and people tell me "I'm not creative enough to knit" all the time, but you can knit some awesome stuff just by following instructions, no creativity required. Knitting is especially great to reduce snacking, because its something you can do while watching TV or even at the movies, and you won't want to snack because you won't want to get grease or anything on your yarn. I also find that it helps with my anxiety...it kind of absorbs my extra energy and distracts the thought processes that might otherwise contribute to a panic attack.0
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Patriots96 wrote: »because if I have nothing to do, all I think about is food. Food makes me happy, I know that is sad but it is true. I have anxiety issues and few close friends so food is my comfort. I am not creative but need a hobby to keep me busy on weekends. I do volunteer work but I need something for my time at home. My sons no longer need me all the time so now I can do things I enjoy but I can't figure out how they translates into a hobby? I like taking pictures but my kids are tired of me chasing them around with my phone. They are now 19 and 14. Hubby has a hobby but I am not interested in fixing lawn mowers. What hobbies do you all have and/or what do you do so that you don't eat when you are bored or have down time?
How about video games? or read a book, play pool, bowling, take a class
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What do you like to do?
I'm like you, all I think about is what's in the pantry (chips!), or freezer (ice cream!) when I'm not doing anything at home. My solution has been finding something to occupy my brain so much, that I get lost in what I'm doing. Reading, puzzles, video games, etc. It has to be absorbing and keep my hands busy so I can't put a bag of Tostitos and keep eating lol.0 -
Music, music, music!!! Learn an instrument . . . it's never too late!0
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Or running. If you don't think you can run, start a C25K program. You'll quickly get hooked.0
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Second knitting or cross-stitching. If you're not creative you can download or purchase patterns from a craft store. I've found this is awesome for me because I don't want to get the fabric/thread dirty, so my hands are pristine. I'm a lot less likely to snack on stuff if I'm trying to keep my hands pristine.
Or video gaming! That can also distract the mind and your hands are busy there too.
Just don't take up writing. I love writing, but seriously... every time you hit a wall, you think "I'll just go grab a snack and figure it out." -_____- Soooo hazardous.0 -
ManiacalLaugh wrote: »Second knitting or cross-stitching. If you're not creative you can download or purchase patterns from a craft store. I've found this is awesome for me because I don't want to get the fabric/thread dirty, so my hands are pristine. I'm a lot less likely to snack on stuff if I'm trying to keep my hands pristine.
Or video gaming! That can also distract the mind and your hands are busy there too.
Just don't take up writing. I love writing, but seriously... every time you hit a wall, you think "I'll just go grab a snack and figure it out." -_____- Soooo hazardous.
Video gaming is good, but I can't imagine a serious gaming session without chips and soda. Or at least popcorn. Maybe pizza . . .0 -
Patriots96 wrote: »because if I have nothing to do, all I think about is food. Food makes me happy, I know that is sad but it is true. I have anxiety issues and few close friends so food is my comfort. I am not creative but need a hobby to keep me busy on weekends. I do volunteer work but I need something for my time at home. My sons no longer need me all the time so now I can do things I enjoy but I can't figure out how they translates into a hobby? I like taking pictures but my kids are tired of me chasing them around with my phone. They are now 19 and 14. Hubby has a hobby but I am not interested in fixing lawn mowers. What hobbies do you all have and/or what do you do so that you don't eat when you are bored or have down time?
Tell me more about all this down time with kids who don't need you all the time? How old were they when you realized this?? I want to live vicariously!!
Signed,
Mother of young kids
PS, if I eventually get back some downtime, and I'm not convinced this will ever happen, i would love to either re-learn piano or learn guitar. Or knit maybe?0 -
Knitting, crochet, lucet (cord-making knotwork), sewing. Those all have the advantage of being better done with clean hands. Writing, painting. Leatherwork. Learn calligraphy. Nature/architectural photography. Gardening.0
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Seconding the running thing. Maybe the kids would want to be involved, too? Or cycling. Cheap bikes are on Craigslist to see if you like it. IMO, running is more of a year-round kind of thing, compared to cycling, depending on where you live.0
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I'll third knitting, it's definitely not something that takes a ton of creativity if you find patterns you're interested in, and you can always give stuff out as presents!0
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Try to find some interesting book, magazine or TV series!
Or maybe writing novel, poems ? 0 -
I agree with knitting. I actually find it a bit meditative. I think it is the repetitive nature.0
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audiobooks too! 0
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DaveAkeman wrote: »ManiacalLaugh wrote: »Second knitting or cross-stitching. If you're not creative you can download or purchase patterns from a craft store. I've found this is awesome for me because I don't want to get the fabric/thread dirty, so my hands are pristine. I'm a lot less likely to snack on stuff if I'm trying to keep my hands pristine.
Or video gaming! That can also distract the mind and your hands are busy there too.
Just don't take up writing. I love writing, but seriously... every time you hit a wall, you think "I'll just go grab a snack and figure it out." -_____- Soooo hazardous.
Video gaming is good, but I can't imagine a serious gaming session without chips and soda. Or at least popcorn. Maybe pizza . . .
How are you going to gtfo of the fire when your hands are all greasy?
Gaming is my go to hobby after exercise. Also tinker in my vege garden.0 -
Exercise.0
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Things that I do with my free time when I am not at work:
Running
Yoga/Pilates/Strength Training
Cooking healthy meals
Gardening
Cleaning
Sewing
Volunteer at Food Pantry
Reading
Hiking or Biking
Watch HGTV and get crazy ideas for DIY projects
Do DIY projects
This keeps me plenty busy. In fact, I wish I had more time to do these things. The best part of it is that most of these things burn lots of calories too!
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DaveAkeman wrote: »ManiacalLaugh wrote: »Second knitting or cross-stitching. If you're not creative you can download or purchase patterns from a craft store. I've found this is awesome for me because I don't want to get the fabric/thread dirty, so my hands are pristine. I'm a lot less likely to snack on stuff if I'm trying to keep my hands pristine.
Or video gaming! That can also distract the mind and your hands are busy there too.
Just don't take up writing. I love writing, but seriously... every time you hit a wall, you think "I'll just go grab a snack and figure it out." -_____- Soooo hazardous.
Video gaming is good, but I can't imagine a serious gaming session without chips and soda. Or at least popcorn. Maybe pizza . . .
How are you going to gtfo of the fire when your hands are all greasy?
Gaming is my go to hobby after exercise. Also tinker in my vege garden.
Maybe that's why my middle-school age son always CREAMS me in first person shooters.
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Gardening. It's the ultimate! If you do veggies & fruit You save $. Get out of house, therefore away from food being right there. Get something out of it nutritionally & fresh air is great for increasing serotonin and lowering cortisol levels!!!0
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When my children didn't need me as much any more I pursued a lifelong interest in oil painting. It helped that I came across an excellent instructor.
Crochet and knitting are excellent because they keep the hands busy. There's gardening, too. It's inconvenient to munch on snacks with dirty hands.0 -
Oh, and volunteer somewhere. Before I was disabled, a mom and a caregiver, I spent almost any of my free time volunteering...I think I got more out of it than them:D
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Thanks for all the suggestions. My hubby and son are gamers. I have a 14 yr old and a 19 yr old, and they definitely do for themselves now. We do bowl and go to the movies sometimes. My oldest is in college 4 hrs away from home. I like the sound of knitting. How do I get started on learning how to do it?0
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DaveAkeman wrote: »DaveAkeman wrote: »ManiacalLaugh wrote: »Second knitting or cross-stitching. If you're not creative you can download or purchase patterns from a craft store. I've found this is awesome for me because I don't want to get the fabric/thread dirty, so my hands are pristine. I'm a lot less likely to snack on stuff if I'm trying to keep my hands pristine.
Or video gaming! That can also distract the mind and your hands are busy there too.
Just don't take up writing. I love writing, but seriously... every time you hit a wall, you think "I'll just go grab a snack and figure it out." -_____- Soooo hazardous.
Video gaming is good, but I can't imagine a serious gaming session without chips and soda. Or at least popcorn. Maybe pizza . . .
How are you going to gtfo of the fire when your hands are all greasy?
Gaming is my go to hobby after exercise. Also tinker in my vege garden.
Maybe that's why my middle-school age son always CREAMS me in first person shooters.
Haha - I was about to say the same! Unless I'm grinding on an RPG, my hands are fairly occupied - PC or console.0 -
Try walking! You don't need special equipment, you can just get up and go at a moment's notice when you have a spare 15/30 minutes. You will burn off calories (varies with weight, age, etc, but probably about 75 calories per mile!!) You can really enjoy exploring your local area!0
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Patriots96 wrote: »Thanks for all the suggestions. My hubby and son are gamers. I have a 14 yr old and a 19 yr old, and they definitely do for themselves now. We do bowl and go to the movies sometimes. My oldest is in college 4 hrs away from home. I like the sound of knitting. How do I get started on learning how to do it?
My oldest is in college too! I also have 3 still at home and it's true about them not needing me as much physically. I've actually thought about getting a dog- one because I just want one but also because it'll force me off the couch more often- lol
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wood working, writing, learn a new language, take a class online at a place like udacity and coursera - many are free, painting, gardening, beekeeping, and drawing. on knitting, i know in my area, many places offer classes. check yarn stores in your area.0
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DaveAkeman wrote: »DaveAkeman wrote: »ManiacalLaugh wrote: »Second knitting or cross-stitching. If you're not creative you can download or purchase patterns from a craft store. I've found this is awesome for me because I don't want to get the fabric/thread dirty, so my hands are pristine. I'm a lot less likely to snack on stuff if I'm trying to keep my hands pristine.
Or video gaming! That can also distract the mind and your hands are busy there too.
Just don't take up writing. I love writing, but seriously... every time you hit a wall, you think "I'll just go grab a snack and figure it out." -_____- Soooo hazardous.
Video gaming is good, but I can't imagine a serious gaming session without chips and soda. Or at least popcorn. Maybe pizza . . .
How are you going to gtfo of the fire when your hands are all greasy?
Gaming is my go to hobby after exercise. Also tinker in my vege garden.
Maybe that's why my middle-school age son always CREAMS me in first person shooters.
hehe. I think our reaction time slows down as we get older and squint at the screen too.
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I scrapbook, make jewelry, cook, read, watch movies...I need more active workouts I guess my gym time is a hobby though too. 0
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Recently discovered apps on your phone or tablet that you can take those photos you have already taken an piece them together in premade frames, stickers and effects and create "your own" art work with your photos. I've tried about 3-4 and I've found two I like so far. And I only use the free stuff and have been distracted for HOURS with out realizing it. This way you can take what you've already done and enjoyed doing and just expand upon it. Good luck to you. If you want or need friends add me.0
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CASSANDRATHOMAS1 wrote: »wood working, writing, learn a new language, take a class online at a place like udacity and coursera - many are free, painting, gardening, beekeeping, and drawing. on knitting, i know in my area, many places offer classes. check yarn stores in your area.
How did I have no clue that such a thing as coursera existed?? I feel so betrayed by my lack of knowledge! I just signed up for one haha
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