Question:
I am 2 months post op and am really fighting boredom....
Since my energy level has come back up, I find that I am getting bored. If I am at home, I want to go out and do something (not stay home and clean house ....) I already have an exercise program that I do 4 times a week and even on the days with no program, I will pull out my Taebo tape and go to it - even if it is 10 pm. I don't want to become an exercise-aholic. But since money is very very tight right now, I am having trouble coming up with ideas of things to do. Has anyone else had this problem and what is at the root of it? (My support group leader who is a psychologist says it has to do with anger.) Or does anyone have any low cost suggestions? Also, I am 2 months out and down 60 lbs - according to my doctor, I am right on track. — Kirsten P. (posted on May 9, 2003)
May 9, 2003
Have you tried volunteering? It does not cost anything, will keep you busy,
& gets you out of the house & in touch with other people.
— PATRICIA S.
May 9, 2003
Kristen - The idea of volunteering is good. How about visiting other WLS
patients in the hospital after surgery. It would be a morale booster for
all. I know I have not told anyone about my surgery except my husband and
daughter so if someone else dropped in with some "experience" I
would be thrilled, as I am sure others would be too.
— J G.
May 9, 2003
Kirsten, I am fighting the same problem! And at 1 year post-op it's harder
b/c I am an appetite again, so i have to fight off the boredom eating
thing, as well. I have many health problems, so I had to postpone my last
semester at college and cannot work as well. So besides having 2 doc
apptmts a day and the gym, I have alot of time on my hands! I have recently
started reading, and once I'm engaged in a good book, I can kill a few
hours. Have you thought of taking a class at a local college? Many
community schools offer some great classes, like yoga, art or even basket
weaving, things of a fun nature that you could take and have some fun with.
Hope you find some things to do! :-) And congrats on your weight loss- that
is wonderful!!
— Lezlie Y.
May 9, 2003
I see you have a dog (do you take them to the park? Great for meeting
people AND getting exercise) and a job (or two). You could go to school
(for fun, enlightenment or intellectual pursuits) grants are available or
are there weekend classes you can take through the cities parks and
recreations department; etc.); join Big Brothers/Big Sisters and save a
kid; You could volunteer an hour or so a week at a local school - they
always need free labor! How about adopting a senior citizen to be a
grand-daughter to? I do hear you on the boredom thing. I have to keep
fairly busy myself or I go nuts now. How different things are post-op!
Pre-op I could waste literal days in front of the TV and now I have to
really REALLY like a show to watch it. I'd rather be in the backyard
playing with the dog - I now crave human contact beyond just my in-house
family. It's weird. Hey great time of year to hit the yard sales - or
have one of your own. Get a bike and hit the roads...write a cook book for
posties :>) Get involved in a local church or social group - do you
play cards? If you try hard I'm sure you can come up with some very
creative and innovative solutions. Oh and congrats on 60 pounds gone!
Woohooo!
— [Deactivated Member]
May 10, 2003
you could go to the mall and walk around and "look" at all the
new styles of clothes. seeing as how your body shape is going to be
changing and you will be able to wear new styles. while you are there you
could get a free makeover at one of the make-up counters. and if you had a
couple of bucks saved for a rainy day.....get a complete hair makeover.
just a thought!
— franbvan
May 12, 2003
Hi there! First of all, things to do inside -- this site needs volunteers
all the time to help with posting pictures, etc. They will instruct you
how to do it so don't be nervous if you don't know how to do it already.
Be an angel for someone having surgery, they can always use the support.
Look on this site under Find Peers and locate people in your area that have
had surgery. Contact them by email and get a support group started -- good
for you, them and it will help you deal with issues. Outside? Go for a
walk, start a dog-walking service so you will be obligated to get out of
the house. Volunteer at a grade school. Volunteer at a nursing home -- I
know firsthand there are some VERY lonely people in nursing homes who never
get visitors, and they can always use people to visit the residents, help
with day activites, etc. Look in your local paper or call your local
chamber of commerce to get a listing of clubs/community activities you
could join or participate in. Hope this helps!
— beeda
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