Now that my energy levels up I have not a single clue what to do with myself on a Saturday night. I have been mostly just cleaning up everything, organizing and purging all day and walking. Even the carpets got shampooed yesterday.

Tonight, I'm staying home for the first time in a long time. I went and grabbed some lentil vegan Soup with a couple of people and then returned home. I have lost desire to go out to parties or bars for a nightlife.

I can only go shopping so many times a week. I think it's high time I find new hobbies or Bari sis/bros to socialize with. I do read and I also make jewelry. But these don't require company and are sedentary. I don't own a TV by choice.

Wish there was a support group meeting for folks like us on Saturdays.

Are there any local bariatric groups you could join? Those folks should be like-minded.

Make some new friends. Expand your circle. I love the meet-up ideas.

Good luck! And congrats on having so much energy!

@@dusky goddess

NYC,

My regular group of friends and family always ends up with a house party with tons of food and drinks. I'm Trying to venture out a little away from my old lifestyle.

I was sleeved 3 months ago and understand your intention to make lifestyle changes. Prior to surgery I had a number of hobbies/interests that kept me pretty busy, but unfortunately many of these hobbies involved food and drinks. I have been able to make modifications to some of these hobbies in order to continue with the hobby while keeping with my weight loss program. For example, I continue to ride my motorcycle, but the focus has shifted from RTE's (Ride To Eat's) to touring, and attending live concerts has changed from including drinks to me volunteering (ushering and front door) and drinking Water

I've discontinued some activities (beer festivals) and added some others (joined a new gym). Clearly there is a period of adjustment needed to make sure we are on track.

I don't know if you like to read, but back in my single (slimmer) days, I used to meet potential dates (met hubby on Match,) at Barnes & Noble on Friday and Saturday nights (safe, brightly lit, Starbucks coffee and pastry lounge area.)

I was SHOCKED how busy it was on weekends! I love puttering up and down the aisles looking at books and magazines, and couch areas to chitchat quietly.

I will say, I had a really bad breakup years ago (sent me on my food spiral that got me here today,) but the year after the breakup, I went from living together to single with nothing to do. I made it my mission to say "yes" to EVERYTHING I was invited to, whether it was something I thought I'd be into or not. I had a ball! Any time I thought to say no, I'm not into -- whatever -- I said yes, let's try it. It's served me well.

If you DO do nighttime hiking, get a walking pole, headlamp, camelback, water-whacking clothes, and be sure to text someone your starting/end point destinations for safety.

Have fun in your new body, and congratulations on making healthy lifestyle changes!

*wicking.

I might like to see local groups. I have good and supportive friends but, like some other unusual medical issues, this is easier to talk about with people who have been there and are going through it. Beside I would imagine the face-to-face support can be very helpful.

Have you tried looking at the Meetup groups in your area? In the MD/DC area there seems to be a group for every interest, hobby, etc - I'm sure its the same in your area. That way you can find groups that do things that aren't food related. In Baltimore, for example, there are groups for hiking, different age groups, Volunteer groups, Business groups, Board games groups, Language groups, Meditation groups, tech, etc.

I am a big advocate of finding "active" interests. Meetups, clubs etc are all good ideas, but where I have really done well is simply spending time with active people! Example, I have a hiking partner that I hiked with weekly during the summer of 2014. I have my horseback riding friends, I go go dancing with people who like that etc. I am very very social so I inherently seek other people and I find myself redirecting my energies toward people with healthier habits and less food focused. And then... there is the gym! You can kill alot of hours working out.

One of the more rewarding things I did was volunteer to help with a habitat restoration project. Middle age woman out there taking on the briars and the brambles with the youngsters! I want to do more of that sort of thing - it made me feel really good to see a tangible result and I really liked the other people doing this too!

I have a gfriend who always claims it is easy for me because I am outgoing. Well, that is true in a way, but you don't have to be a social butterfly to find like minded people. What it takes is the willingness to take a risk and put yourself out there.

im just the opposite of you. i like to be home, alone, with my dog (watching tv or playing a video game or reading etc). but one thing i will say is it's weird to go out because everyone wants to "grab a bite" or "grab a drink" and i don't really eat much and now i don't drink so it's like....ummm..... but like i said i'm pretty anti-social and a loaner so so far it's not really affecting me but i'm sure it will when i start dating again.

If you have a hobby, I guarantee you can find a group of like-minded people to hang with. Pretty sure there are several knitting and crocheting groups in your area! Are there activities you already enjoy or something you've always wanted to try but couldn't due to your weight? Now's the time to get your feet wet. I think taking a course or class in something interesting or trying dancing (swing is on my list!) or martial arts or volleyball or fencing or tennis or golf could all be fun.

The book store idea is great. I met my husband at a medieval recreation group. He wasn't chivalry, but he definitely was my knight in shining armor!

I went through this at first too. I didn't want to really do anything. I felt that everything surrounded food and that I would feel bad about everything if I went out. It does pass. You will get into the swing of things with your new life. You will try out new things and find new hobbies.

I have gone back to my normal routine with the exception of eating all the time. I still cook, clean, meet my friends, go out shopping, etc... It's just not all surrounded by food anymore.

www.meetups.com

There's a group for EVERYTHING, and if there isn't one for your particular interest, you can start one!

@duskygoddess - not sure if they have one in your area on Saturday nights but where I live they do have a support group for us on Saturday nights...its called overeaters anonymous or OA. Google it. Not neccessarily WLS patients, but folks who used to eat a lot and no longer do.

I own a horse so spend my weekends at the barn.

If you like animals volunteer at a local shelter. The dogs always need to be walked.

You could start horseback riding as an adult.

There may be other volunteer opportunities at the library, nursing homes, food pantry, homeless shelters, local rec center.

If you look around Facebook you may be able to find local clubs for hiking, biking, walking, rock-climbing, geocaching, bird watching, photography, kayaking.

I see ads on Craigslist for work-out partners at particular local gyms. (m4f workout partner at Final Results in Anytown, CA). As long as you meet at the gym it should be safe. You can put an ad on CL for a same sex work-out partner at your gym. Ask the personal trainer at your gym they may know somebody.

Our local school district has adult education classes- most are during the week at night but they have some trips and classes on Saturdays.