Positive replacements for food

My therapist and I have been talking about how to replace overeating and bad eating habits with positive things. She said, and I have read in these forums, that after WLS, since you can't comfort yourself with large quantities of food, sometimes we take on negative addictions like overindulging in alcohol, using drugs and other things.

I have been trying my hand at jewelry crafting and want to start taking dance lessons to occupy the time I used to spend sitting around bored and eating. I have noticed though that I have wanted to shop more, for clothes and boots. I guess these aren't terrible things since I mostly shop at second hand stores for clothes, but I can see where the boot thing could get out of hand.

What positive replacements have you all found for food addiction?

Great question. I am shopping WAY too much and I think I am addicted to Thrift Shops now!

The two for me or three are:

working out - awesom all around 

cooking healthy - it takes some time but is fun and good for you

dating - not so sure act this one it gets my emotions in a spin

Dawn, the jewelry crafting sounds like fun.  My "crafts" used to be cake decorating and candy making -- haven't done them in a while, and thinking maybe I should stay away from them.  Although wanting sweets was never a problem for me (my demons are creamy pasta dishes and breads).  I am trying to cook new healthy recipes so I don't get in a food rut.

I do a lot of different types of puzzles and computer games, and reading - but I'd like to get out and about more. I've started going out to the library instead of ordering Kindle books, and I have a gym membership so have to get back to that.

I like exercise.  Now that it's a habit for me, and I enjoy what I'm doing, it releases all sorts of positive feelings, the way eating used to.  I like reading.  I like singing.  I like just.. doing things.  Getting out with friends or my partners.  Basically, I've replaced food with "living my life."  

I make jewelry myself.  The good thing about making jewelry is that if you choose to, and you feel your pieces are good enough, you can sell those suckers and make some money! LOL

I worry about that too...replacing one addiction, one comfort for another.  I have been on the last phase of the pre-op diet for the past month (it was only supposed to last 2 weeks but some scheduling issues pushed my date back)and I find myself craving a cigarette! I haven't smoked in 4 years now and I'm not about to start!  My crafting has been an outlet for me and I hope that it continues to be.  Good luck with your new adventure!

One thing that has helped me maintain is that I do art work all day. Keeping your hands occupied is a good thing so the jewelry making is good.  anykind of craft or art that you can pick up and put down is good like knitting or needle pointe. I do lots of on line scrabble and other i pad games in the evening. also try to walk the dogs. I used to train dogs as a hobby and thats another good one. Finally, if you give yourself a fancy manicure then you gotta keep your hands out of the snacks for awhile. Yacking on the phone is good too.    diane