I need some new hobbies for a while, suggestions?

[BimmerDan]

I scheduled surgery for my shoulder this morning and it leaves me with a lot of spare time after the surgery. Normally I spend my nights training for powerlifting followed by an hour or so working on the car. Well I won’t be doing any of those things for a few months, so I think I need some new hobbies.
What do normal people do?

[Mike W.]

Well I don't know what normal people do, but when I was down for a bit last year I built a new computer, upgraded one and did other tech related stuff. After the first day or two I read some books and spent even more time than usual on the net. Done a Tech FAQ yet?

[BimmerDan]

Sad thing is, I hate computers and that's what I do. I was actually thinking about making a gauge cluster FAQ the other day; I have a few different types of clusters lying around. Good Idea, maybe I'll read the Bentley over and over.

Thanks for the good idea

[Cactus]

Ping pong, reading, writing, video games, making/watching videos on youtube, knitting, animal husbandry, building models of things that are way cooler than Sunbeam cars, remote controlled cars, planes, boats or helicopters, gardening, trivia games, chess, drawing or any other art, arguing with people on the internet, volunteering, going to museums, zoos, aquariums, photography, bicycling, boating, fishing, movies, music, carpentry and masturbation are all good options.

[rlomba8204]

I scheduled surgery for my shoulder this morning and it leaves me with a lot of spare time after the surgery. Normally I spend my nights training for powerlifting followed by an hour or so working on the car. Well I won’t be doing any of those things for a few months, so I think I need some new hobbies.
What do normal people do?

I just had another back surgery related to an old issue so I am in a similar position but if you have a job, and we have two kids, free time is not that plentiful Anyway. My suggestion is to find a hobby that involves physical activity so that you will not gain weight while you cannot lift. I would imagine you can walk -- so do that -- go to some local parks or walking trails and get some fresh air, maybe an hour a day to clear your head. And then try a bike too -- that should be OK once you have had some healing time so long as you aren't going crazy.

Finally, why are you powerlifting? I understand it is an interesting sport but once you hit a certain age -- for me it was about 30 -- lifting heavy weight causes more problems than it solves. Be able to move your weight in all directions (pull-up/chin-up, bench, dip, squat (plus some additional weight obviously) plus core) and you'll be in good shape and far less likely to traumatically injure a joint. Unless you are engaged in a very physical sport like football and playing lineman or similar where you literally need to move another large person quickly and forcefully, there is no reason to put the kind of strain on your joints that is involved in powerlifting. Not trying to ding your sport -- I admire people who have that discipline -- but I've seen too many powerlifters either injure themselves or drop lifting altogether and become very fat. Appropriate aerobic conditioning, controlling body fat, and moderate weight lifting gets you far more long term health benefits, in my view based on what I have seen.

[TSMacNeil]

Find a way to make the economy gauge a fuel pressure gauge, or some other useful information. I know a couple guys have discussed it, but as with most things in life not enough hours in the day.

[davintosh]

... building models of things that are way cooler than Sunbeam cars, remote controlled cars, planes, boats or helicopters...

I'd second the R/C car or aircraft idea. Lots of potential there. And when you have to work on an R/C car you don't need a lift or jacks or garage space, provided your wife/SO doesn't mind you taking over the dining room table once in a while.

http://towerhobbies.com/

[wkohler]

You can autocross with the Mercedes club and write checks.

[rlomba8204]

You can autocross with the Mercedes club and write checks.

Yeah, but then I think those guys require dinner jackets during their events, and it is hard to put on and wear a dinner jacket while you have a bum shoulder.

[wkohler]

[rlomba8204]

Wow. I didn't need to see that anytime near a meal. Looks like a "BEFORE" photo for a "Manzere" advertisement. Ugh.

[snakebrain]

Finally, why are you powerlifting? I understand it is an interesting sport but once you hit a certain age -- for me it was about 30 -- lifting heavy weight causes more problems than it solves. Be able to move your weight in all directions (pull-up/chin-up, bench, dip, squat (plus some additional weight obviously) plus core) and you'll be in good shape and far less likely to traumatically injure a joint. Unless you are engaged in a very physical sport like football and playing lineman or similar where you literally need to move another large person quickly and forcefully, there is no reason to put the kind of strain on your joints that is involved in powerlifting. Not trying to ding your sport -- I admire people who have that discipline -- but I've seen too many powerlifters either injure themselves or drop lifting altogether and become very fat. Appropriate aerobic conditioning, controlling body fat, and moderate weight lifting gets you far more long term health benefits, in my view based on what I have seen.

Once you've healed up, try some rock climbing. Indoors on a wall is probably the best and easiest way to start. It's demanding enough to give you a challenge after powerlifting, but will add flexibility and the ability to use your body at full extension. It won't bulk you up much, if at all, but you will find that after a few months every muscle in your body is conditioned to perfection..

[Eta power]

Model railroading.

[LandCruzer94]

Learn how to work a butterfly knife, there's plenty of tricks to learn that won't hurt you in the process, just take your time. It's a lost art.

[WilNJ]

[ilikemybike]

When I had shoulder surgery, I took on taking lots of pain pills and watching Martha Stewart as a hobby. I also bought a used NES and relived all my childhood video games. Didn't drive for 5 weeks.

[rmiddendorf]

Both building and running anything r/c is fun. I'm into r/c planes, helis and I dabble in the cars a little. But it is expensive too. Photography is certainly fun (says the pro photographer), as well as video games. If I had to take it easy for a while I'd be all over my PS3. I also have quite a few games I have yet to complete.

[SD45T-2]

Model railroading.

this kid is a genius!

[tsmall07]

What about Duke's GPS locating packages thing? I can't remember what it is. Looked cool, though.

Model railroading.

this kid is a genius!

+1

I have a box of HO stuff I need to break out again.

[oldskool]

When I had shoulder surgery, I took on taking lots of pain pills and watching Martha Stewart as a hobby. I also bought a used NES and relived all my childhood video games. Didn't drive for 5 weeks.

That was me after C-4&5 disc fusion. Nothing but Tarantino films and pain meds. Best vacation I've ever had.

[BimmerDan]

Finally, why are you powerlifting? I understand it is an interesting sport but once you hit a certain age -- for me it was about 30 -- lifting heavy weight causes more problems than it solves. Be able to move your weight in all directions (pull-up/chin-up, bench, dip, squat (plus some additional weight obviously) plus core) and you'll be in good shape and far less likely to traumatically injure a joint. Unless you are engaged in a very physical sport like football and playing lineman or similar where you literally need to move another large person quickly and forcefully, there is no reason to put the kind of strain on your joints that is involved in powerlifting. Not trying to ding your sport -- I admire people who have that discipline -- but I've seen too many powerlifters either injure themselves or drop lifting altogether and become very fat. Appropriate aerobic conditioning, controlling body fat, and moderate weight lifting gets you far more long term health benefits, in my view based on what I have seen.

You know this is something I've thought about a lot the past few years. I'm now 27 and do have some arthritis, but I think I will be ok. Like many people I went into the gym at 18 and didn't have the proper mechanics. In the past year I've started lifting with an experienced lifter (he is 50) and have learned so much more and have a new respect for the hobby. Ive also started benching with equipment (a bench shirt) Which helps With lifting more wieght and additonal support. Something that would shock most, at meets there are more masters lifters and they push heavier wieght.

My goal has been to hold a record by 30, if I can come back I will keep working. After that I will take a good look at the future and consider my options.

Im going to call one of the local high schools and see if they would like some help with lifting for summer football. That could fill some time, and allow me to teach proper technique.

Besides that I did buy an NES and look forward to some old school games. But I think I will be on here a lot!

Thanks guys

[Cactus]

What about Duke's GPS locating packages thing? I can't remember what it is. Looked cool, though.

Geocaching?

[Matt]

handgun training with the non-injured arm.

[alijonny]

Get a balsa wood airplane model. I did a Cessna on my downtime. It was time consuming, but kept me busy. I just left it as a skeleton and hung it off my man room ceiling. Filled a lot of empty time.

[tsmall07]

What about Duke's GPS locating packages thing? I can't remember what it is. Looked cool, though.

Geocaching?

Yeah, that!

[Soco]

build a rifle. Not cheap, but you can get all the little bits n pins n springs and make a baller status ar-15. shelf price would be 1,400 but you can make it for like 600, then when you're done either sell it back to the shop that got you the lower reciever, or more likely take it out n play with it. Then if you can part with it sell it back. Lots of fitting and filing and piddly stuff. Should keep ya busy for a month or so.

[ianshafer]

Forza 4 then Forza horizons commingle soon.
best racing ever!!!!!

[ianshafer]

What is commingle and why does my spell check always do that?

[snakebrain]

What is commingle and why does my spell check always do that?

Think of it as communal intermingling and you're not too far off the track.

[1st 5er]

Post count worked for me.