what do i do with the time i used to eat....

What do you do with the time you used to spend eating/snacking?? I'm on the verge of getting myself back together.  I have finally realized that I need more in my life other than working, taking the kids where they need to go, and eating. My boys are 17and 15, pretty self sufficient.  I don't know what to do with my time.  I'm one of those people who have to be busy, no matter how much I may complain about it. I am looking for serious, 'doable' solutions.  I plan to exercise in the morn's for an hour or so before work.  So that's not something I want to do at night too.  I get very bored at my desk job, and I've been trying not to snack, but I'm bored!  What about at night? I've looked into classes, but that won't work out (waiting list of a year for what I want to do) Any suggestions would be so helpful.  Thank you! T

I  can relate  so  much  to  this...  We  actually  have  so  much  more  time  to  focus  in  on other  things  other  than  food.  I  have  set  up  a  data  base  of  all the   DVD's  &  CD's  we  have  accumulated.  I  Just  started  this  week  putting  all  my  recipes  in  a  computer  software  ... I  also  carry  a  word  search   book  with  me  at  all  times .I  also have  asked  other  family  and  friends  for  their  magazines  when  they are done  with  them . I   go  out  side  and  sit  and  read  in  the  shade . I  also  just  go  out  and   walk  around  the  block  believe  me  after  being  in the  100 plus  degree weather  I  am no  longer  thinking  food.   When  I  have   free time  instead  of  getting  bored  and  tempted  to  eat  I  whip  out  the  word  search  book  and  go  at  it ..  I  know  for  myself  I  have  to  be always  thinking of  new  things  to  do   with  my  time  or  I  will   fall  back  into  old  habbits .. Right  now  is  more  difficult  for  me  since I  had  spine  surgery.  I am  on  medical  leave from  work  and  have  lifting  restrictions as  the  Dr  said  go  home  do  NOTHING and  I  mean  nothing he  said  for  30  days  then  come  back. So I  have  been  doing  nothing  now  for  2  months  and  I  have  had  to  find  things  to  think  about  other  than  food.   This  will  be  interesting  to  see  what  others  do  in  their  spare  time..  I  appreciate  you   posting  this  ......  Let  me  know  if  you  come  up  with  any other  ideas  I  could   sure   use  some  new  ones ..   Best  wishes,  Tami

I  had  to  post  another  thing  I  did  tonight  that  really   excited  me ..  I   found  the  Talk radio  show  for  Bariatrics .  If  you  go  there  you  can  listen  to  every   talk  radio  show   that  they  have  brodcated  .. To  me  this  is  a  weath  of  information  at  our   finger  tips .. I  have not  figured  out  how  to  add  links  to  a  posting  so  if  any one  needs  the  link  and  doesnt  find  it  posted on  the  board  here  let  me  know  I  know  how  to  email  links.. :-)  Listening  to  those  radio  broadcasts  was  like  a   breath  of  fresh  air   for  me ..     Wishing  everyone Encouargement ,  Tami 

I've never heard of the Bariatric Talk Radio Shows. Will you send me the link? Do I have to send you a private message to give you my e-mail address? Thank you, ~dori~

Hi, I have been working on a family pictorial timeline. Have gotten photos from different family members and have been organizing them like a family tree with an online scrapbooking program. I finished one project with photos and info about my husbands family and am now working on my side. When I am not working on that I like to chrochet. I get yarn at tag sales and make baby hats or childrens hats and donate them to different charities. I also enjoy reading a good book. Sher

1.  Volunteer at your nearest hospital -  Babies need bathing and rocking.  Elderly need someone to read to them or talk with them.  Reception area and information desk need assistance. 2.  Volunteer at church - Lead bible study or teach children's classes. 3.  Join a book club at your local library or bookstore. 4.  Take a class through the city's parks and rec dept, the local community college, or a private lessons in piano, music, cooking, language, etc. Good luck! JackieBel

Good Question!!  I like to work Jigsaw Puzzles. I buy them at Garage (tag) Sales and then keep one in progress most all of the time. I also enjoy cross-stitching and crocheting in the winter. So long as I keep my hands busy, I don't think so much about eating. I try to keep a bottle of water or a cup of coffee handy, too. A book I'm reading suggested that we make a list of things that we could do so that when things get "desperate" we would have something concrete to look to. They suggested taking bubble baths, walks, reading, etc. I think I'm going to try that for myself. I COULD include things such as cleaning out closet and drawers, but I probably won't   :o)   !!! Hugs,     Piggybabe

I was talking about this to a guy last night that is planning on having RNY in a few weeks. I told him he will need to find something to do with his time, because he'll need to keep his hands busy. (He doesn't understand yet, but he will.) I've stayed pretty busy this summer, but the cold weather will get me inside more in front of the TV. I like to scrapbook. Maybe I'll learn to crochet or knit.