How can I talk to my dad about his weight and heart without offending him or hurting his feelings?

Question

He is overweight (not obese but not healthy) has high blood pressure and isnt very active. His food choices are to blame but its because he literally hasnt been taught the right things. (He asked me the other day if potato chips had carbs.)
Hes 51, Im 23 and Im really worried about his health. Heart disease runs in his family too, as well as diabetes.

How do I say something without hurting his feelings? Hes very sensitive and thinks its a personal attack on him if you mention anything. Its important to my family to keep him around! What can I say or do to help him make the right body choices?

Answer 1

tell him that the reason why you are telling him these things is because you care about him and don't want anything to happen

Answer 2

I know where you are coming from. My father had a heart attack in late Oct and had to have heart surgery. We were lucky because the doctor said he would of had a massive heart attack, (because he was going to get on a plane) He is over weight and trying to be healthy. The best thing you can do is to change with him. Tell him that you want to change your eating habits and ask him to go along for the journey. Get him active in things, like swimming or even going for a walk. It will show him that you care enough to take time out of your life to spend with him and little does he know help him. A good web site is www. sparkpeople.com here you can find fun and exciting food to try and it also gives good advice on eating healthier and exercising.
Good luck to you and to your father as well.

Answer 3

Weight discussions are very personal and upsetting to people in general. I would recommend starting off the conversation by saying, "Dad I love you and I'm concerned about your health. I need you to be here for me when I get (married, have children, etc.). You ask me the other day about potato chips, so maybe you want to be healthier and maybe I can help you...."
Help your dad with the facts about food in general and then maybe help him choose one junk food to give up and one healthy food to incorporate in his diet, make it a slow progression so he doesn't feel overwhelmed.
I know it's hard to talk to someone with their weight - it cost me by having my husband have a heart attack at 35, I almost didn't have a father for my children, but I was lucky he changed his ways to be able to enjoy watching his children grow up.
Hope this advice helps you in making a decision on how to approach your dad.

Answer 4

well if you start a conversation with him, try too make it clear to him how important he is to you and how much you love him and that you are very worried about his health. He can't be that offended because it is a fact that he has high blood pressure etc. He can't be hurt by you cause you can't help that he has this condition. You would just like him to stay happy and healthy.

Answer 5

Well gradually show it by buying healthy food for him at the grocery store. Dont give him gifts with sweets or fatty foods, maybe try a subtle fruit basket? (when I say "subtle" i mean not a huge one because that could give it away).
Also, you could both take a short walk every day after or before dinner with him?

if you dont live with him then these things might be hard to do, but you could still maybe try.

Also, if your mom agrees, explain to her about your concern and maybe she'll pitch in with making healthier meals and the walks, etc.

but also, depending on the time, You could VAGUELY and lightly tell him that hes not taking care of himself like he should be and that your concerned about him.

hope this helped,
good luck :]

Answer 6

i would not probably tell her. If I have been you i could consult from her. gently. ladies are extremely mushy so in case you do not want to harm her thoughts you will desire to easily make certain you're making your self very sparkling to her which you're actually not thinking that she would not look sturdy if she would not drop some weight. consult from her approximately how she feels approximately herself and basically get to comprehend how sturdy her vanity is. If it is not probably sturdy then i'm afraid you will desire to handle the difficulty from the middle. obesity isn't something basically on the exterior, as a results of fact many of the time there is mostly a concern deep interior that no-one else knows approximately or sees it somewhat is inflicting the burden issues. you ought to additionally comprehend first hand that dropping weight is extra convenient for adult men than it somewhat is for women. It takes lots of motivation and help. And in case you extremely need her to drop some weight, you ought to not say that this may well be a concern that she would desire to remedy on her own. provide her a hand. Remind her that she's eye-catching. Make her experience sturdy approximately herself. recommend which you adult men would desire to bypass swimming jointly, or biking, or walking. or you will desire to teach her a thank you to consume wholesome in case you apart from would consume healthily. enable her comprehend that her wellness (not basically yours) additionally concerns to you. basically supply to be there together with her and not basically assume that on the top of the three hundred and sixty 5 days you want to make certain some sexy slender lady status in front of you. It would not artwork like that. i comprehend adult men basically want to slap on suggestions on ladies each and all of the time, yet ladies want lots extra advantageous than that. Sorry yet it somewhat is the actuality. So be supportive, be effective and maximum of all be very mushy. it is not that straightforward even inspite of the shown fact that it is not attainable. i'm specific if the the two one in each and every of you may communicate nicely, this could not be a concern. And in case you extremely do care approximately her, you will not push it. Coz interior the top if she basically can not do it (and you will desire to assume this too, not something is going completely each and all of the time) you will desire to nevertheless ask your self will I nevertheless love her inspite of ways she seems? sturdy luck!

Answer 7

Hurting him should be the least of your concern because if he doesn't care for himself, he will no longer be around to be hurt.

You simply tell him how much you love him, want him in your life as long as possible and you are concerned about his health. Then tell him what you said here. The rest is up to him.

Answer 8

Try writing it down on a note. From experience, people are more likely to hear you out entirely and not be defensive. Also express your concerns for his health and how his eating/exercise habits affect you. Try not to accuse him of being lazy or not caring, and try not to be judgemental on how he handles his life. He may disregard your concerns or write it off as you being too health-conscience, but try not to get offended. Good luck and I hope all goes well.

Answer 9

First of all, tell him that you love him and his health is your happiness. Encourage him to exercise with you (moderately at first - walking, for example)
Try to cook something for him at least once a week with healthy ingredients (vegetable, fish, chicken...) stay away from red meat and salt.
Drink a lots of watter (at least 8 cup a day)
Good luck

Answer 10

Start with "Dad I love you and I'm worried about you. I want you to be around forever but..." That is what I did with my sister and she has lost 2 pant sizes in a month. It's a start.

Answer 11

Go on a "diet" and when you exercise, tell him to come along with you. If he refuses say that you just want the best for him because you want him to live longer because you love him. I hope this helps and God bless! x