Advice for my dad....

sophiegrace543

My dad recently turned 52 and, through not changing much in his life, he's lost nearly 6 kg over the past year and is nearly at his "goal" of 100 kg. He's always been a big guy, ever since being a teen and he has just been eating a bit healthier - he's no way on a 'fitness journey' or counts calories like most of us on here! He's always loved food and fairly big portions, but always good food, made well and with little junk, and LOVES alcohol haha. He's a serious wine and beer/ale fan, with him going on vineyard and brewery tours and being a member of a wine club (he doesn't drink to get drunk like his daughter does hahaha :laugh:) so his diet is hardly salads and grilled chicken but it could be worse and food/drink is a love of his.

I'm proud of his progress (partly because I'm pretty sure that a lot of his success is from me having more influence over what we buy and cook etc. - like many younger people, I still live with my parents) but I'm trying to figure out how to get him to do more exercise. My mum's dad died young from a heart attack which I know is something that often happens to men who don't necessarily seem unhealthy and exercise is so good for the heart, not just for weight loss. I want my dad to be around for as long as possible and I think exercise would do him the world of good! He's always loved swimming but his job (works long hours for a big firm in the City of London) and the poor standards of our local pools mean he can't do this. When I casually tried to talk to him about upping his exercise, he said that he's "ok" doing his 20 minute walk to and from the train stations each day but I think it would be great if he did some more, especially because I doubt his walk raises his heart rate enough to help his cardiovascular health. How can I encourage him to do more (like mentioned before, I've tried casually suggesting it) and what sort of things could he do? (He HATES running and anything that involves much money would put him off, at least at first) Sorry for the long message and thanks in advance!

ew_david

I would leave him alone. He's done a great job as it is.

jemhh

I would leave him alone. He's done a great job as it is.

Agreed. You can ask him to go for a walk with you or if you are doing something else (e.g., weekend hike, etc.) ask him if he wants to go along. But as far as convincing him to do more exercise, it's not really your place. He's a big boy, an adult, and his life choices are his to make. I'm sure that your intentions are good but it's very rare that doing anything more is taken well and makes a positive difference.

Chief_Rocka

Just keep telling him he should do it, men love to be nagged.

AJL_Daddy

Does he have a smartphone or a tablet? Mention some of the great body weight exercise programs you've been seeing. Like You Are You Own Gym or Sworkit.

FaylinaMeir

have you sat down and talked to him and expressed your concerns about your family history and such? That is the first step. I would suggest going for walks or exchanging ideas together
HOWEVER sweetie it's his choice and if you pressure him too hard you might not only push him from exercise but back into bad habbits. As much as it sucks we need to let our parents live their lives and enjoy themselves.

I'm watching my mom slowly eat herself to death. She's gained a ton of weight, developed raging diabetes, destroyed her thyroid, her back, her knees, her mental state, and her overall quality of life. I wish you the best of luck :flowerforyou:

ninerbuff

He's his own man. Let him figure it out. While you can make a suggestion, it's up to him to make the move. And one DOESN'T have to get one's heart rate up during exercise extremely high for cardiovascular benefits. My mother never ran, she just walked for exercise and is currently 88 years old. And still walking around fine.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

MyChocolateDiet

Just keep telling him he should do it, men love to be nagged.

^this.

3laine75

I would leave him alone. He's done a great job as it is.

This

The only thing I could possibly suggest, seeing as you mentioned he liked it, is telling him YOU want to start swimming regularly and would he go with you - I think any other way of approaching it would just be cheeky.

I might sound like a bit of a hypocrite as I have badgered my mum into lifting but that is for a genuine medical condition (osteopenia and osteoporosis) - sounds like your dad's pretty healthy.

joandue

I agree with others. I"m 55 but female and I started this journey on my own, without telling anyone until I lost enough that they could notice. When I was ready I picked up exercise and got more information. Nothing my kids would have said would have changed the way I did it. Let him do what he thinks is good for him. He's already done an amazing job.