How to motivate others?

rach41413

This may be a lost cause, but I wanted to present a little dilemma for you all...

I know a man in his mid-twenties who is at least 350 pounds, probably closer to 400. Over 6 feet tall, probably around 6'3. He has mild developmental disabilities, but no physical disabilities. I'm not sure if he doesn't know what he is doing to his body, or if he knows and just doesn't care. For me, being on MFP and seeing progress has made me very aware of what I put into my body and made my desire to be healthy very strong! It is hard to see him essentially throwing away his health. The other day, he said, "well, I'll be in a wheelchair by the time I'm 50 just like my dad, so what does it matter?"

Does anyone have experience with this kind of attitude? If it was you, what changed your mind? If you have known someone like this, is there anything that you did or said that helped or hurt?

I know that it has to be a personal decision to get healthy, but is there anything I can do to encourage him? Thanks!

now_or_never12

Could you invite him over for dinner? Cook a healthy meal?

Maybe invite him out to the gym, a sport, to go for a walk, or another activity?

He has to decide he wants to do this for himself but showing him great, healthy, low cal, filling and delicious foods and showing him that exercise can be fun and rewarding may help steer him in that direction.

now_or_never12

Also, if you were to invite him for dinner maybe he could be there while you prep and cook? He could help and you could talk about the benefits of the foods you are using and make suggestions on all the different ways they can be cooked.