Spondylitis Association of America Forums General Discussion Young Adults - The 20-Something Club What do you guys do for fun?

Jamie,

I also do bead work and cross stitch. I also recently picked up a ridged heddle loom to learn how to weave. I like the weaving because it is not such fine detail work as cross stitch and beading.

I also enjoy reading, and I have gotten into gardening. I built a raised bed at three feet high so I can garden with out having to bend. I can no longer bend at the waist, and was having trouble with keeping my garden up till now. I get alot of pleasure out of taking dirt and seed and feeding my family with them.

Believe it or not, I didn't have too many hobbies until I was formally diagnosed this year. I think I have been keeping myself busy to not think about the pain or limited mobility at times.

I love to cook. It is my stress-relief, and luckily I have people over at my place regularly who love to eat my food, so that works out well.

My boyfriend and I also take our dogs, a full-blood German Shepherd and a 55 lb Shepherd mix, to the dog park. I try to run around with them when I can, and when I'm not feeling so hot, I watch him fetch with them.

I also go to local music shows when I can as well. Music can be therapeutic to me, and my friends and I get together and work on renditions of songs we love.

As I said before, I feel like I've done more and more of this since my diagnosis because it keeps me focused on the important things. Good luck with channeling your inner hobbyist!

You do have to stay active, but perhaps you have to think differently about it. Extreme sports are definitely out, but even on bad days I can enjoy mild hiking, walking, swimming, yoga, and tai chi. The point is to exercise while not putting any additional stress on your joints. And knowing when to take it easy.

Photography is a hobby of mine too, I started out with a really cheap camera, lol, it can be done!

Is cycling an option for you? At the moment I'm building up on the exercycle but getting out there on a bike in the outdoors might be the next best thing to running? Best to get a bike that you sit upright on, rather than leaning over the handlebars.

I know how frustrating it is when you want to go for a walk around the block and you have pain or discomfort for every step. Aren't periods of remission amazing!?
I really enjoy yoga- although I found it is important to really talk with the instructor prior to attending so they arent manipulating your body in ways that it cant move at the moment with flare ups. I found that private lessons worked well for me.
Additionally, I enjoy hiking and camping too- it's something about that fresh air on a hike that makes me feel so good.

I was never a biker but I did recently get a mountain bike to ride around on...its easier to do with people too for motivation