How can I help my dad lose weight?

Girlrose
Girlrose Posts: 127 Member
in Motivation and Support
My dad is 54, 5'11", and weighs 240 pounds. Over the years, he has suffered from health problems including melanoma and had two stents put into two arteries clogged with plaque. Before I was born, he was pretty fit and ran marathons. When his weight ballooned to 260 later in life, he got down to 200 on Weight Watchers. Now, however, he eats a lot of junk food and is mostly sedentary.

Does anyone have any tips on how to motivate him to get healthy? I love my dad and I would be devastated if his unhealthy habits led to any more serious health issues. :-( I live at home, so I volunteered to be in charge of grocery shopping so that he doesn't purchase unhealthy food. I also took a "Before" picture of him after I told him I was worried about his health. It's very hard to see a loved one like this!

Replies

  • She_Hulk
    She_Hulk Posts: 277
    You're really doing all you can do. The fact that he is willing to let you grocery shop and take "before" pictures of him, is a great start. It's not your job or responsibility to help him take care of himself. He's really got to do the rest by himself in his own timing. I'm sorry...
  • Girlrose
    Girlrose Posts: 127 Member
    I know you're right; it has to come from within. I also told him that I would pay him $$$ if he gets to a healthy weight, so I think I've probably done just about everything I can. It's still hard to sit idly by!
  • KaltieEm
    KaltieEm Posts: 73 Member
    Maybe try to take him for walks? Dad and his little girl walking and having a talk? Also, do you eat together? If not that could be another "together" activity. You could cook something healthy and then eat it and talk. I think most people eat when they're stressed or bored, so keeping him busy, talking to him a lot, could help.

    But it's really so hard to help somebody who doesn't want our help :( You're still wonderful for trying, caring, and making grocery shopping! :)
  • Girlrose
    Girlrose Posts: 127 Member
    Thanks, that's great advice! We do eat dinner together and I make sure it's something healthy.
  • fivethreeone
    fivethreeone Posts: 8,196 Member
    Good luck, OP. It's obvious you care about your dad a lot. I suggest you put his dinner on the Roomba and make him chase it down.
  • CantStopWontStop92
    CantStopWontStop92 Posts: 165 Member
    Get out and active with him! It's taken months and months, but I finally got my mom to take a pilates class with me. Similar story as your padre, she was my size up til she had twins, never lost the weight, and adopted a sedentary lifestyle. She keeps commenting on how embarassing it might be and how upstaged she'll feel next to me, but I've just reminded her that she used to be thin and gol darn it she shall be so again! I've never done pilates either so it's new for us both, and I remind her of that as well. Make it a team thing:) Try a class or something that may be out of your comfort zone as well to show him that you're willing to take a risk with him.

    Best of luck OP!
  • 1shauna1
    1shauna1 Posts: 993 Member
    You could cook healthy dinners for him!

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