My parents are great people, however, they have a lot of vices that are starting to affect them as they get older. Their biggest problem is that they both smoke and have smoked for most of their lives. I asked them to stop for my wedding present and they did for about a year, now they smoke again. They say that when they stop smoking, they gain weight. Both of them are active, however, they do not exercise on a regular basis and they eat a lot of junkfood.
My question is, can I help them want to make changes or can I only sit by and watch them destroy their lives?
2007-01-06 12:39:48 · 10 answers · asked by WxEtte 5 in Health ➔ Other - Health
You can only ask, they can only want to and do the stopping the smoking. Usually the weight gain is an excuse most people use. My Dad smoked all my life until 2 years ago when he had a heart attack and open heart surgery. They told him that 80% of the blockages were caused by the cigarettes. He hasn't smoked since. He has had some cravings, but he doesn't want to go through that again. Cigarettes make your blood vessels smaller and it makes the blood and oxygen harder to get to the heart. It is bad for people with bad circulatory systems. Sometimes, it takes a big wake up call for them to quit. You wouldn't believe the number of respiratory therapists that smoke after seeing all the lung diseases caused by smoking. They know, but they will quit when they are ready.
Nothing you can do but encourage and pray for them. You can give them information to help them stop, but in the end it is up to them. For my Dad, it was more of a habit.
Here are some websites to help with additional information if they are willing to look:
http://www.quitnet.com/
http://www.quitsmokingsupport.com/
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/stop-smoking-products/HA00065
http://www.trytostop.org/
Best wishes to you. I will pray for them also.
2007-01-06 12:47:35 · answer #1 · answered by Stephanie F 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Your parents will not stop smoking or eating junk food and other vices until they are ready to do it. You can make all the suggestions you want but until they are ready nothing will make them stop.
2007-01-06 12:42:56 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I was in your very shoes as a teenager. I even spoke with our family doctor about it.
Each of my parents stopped on their own, when they were ready to do so.
However, there is nothing that you can do to change someone else. This is something that they have to realize and change on their own. I wish it were otherwise.
2007-01-06 13:15:29 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
There's really not much you can do aside from what you did already. It must be so frustrating for you to see them both still leading an unhealthy life but there's no way that you can force someone to change; they have to want to change.
2007-01-06 12:43:57 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
the only thing you can do is let them decide to make that choice, if the are being badgered they will do it even more for their subconscious, remember nicotine is very addictive drug, some people cant help that. just be there and occasionally give them little hints
2007-01-11 16:24:51 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They will not be able to quit until they are ready to do it for themselves, you can give them incentivves and programs it may push them in the right direction
2007-01-06 12:42:19 · answer #6 · answered by Jody 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you could try sitting back and watching them live there lives-- if they are happy (i hope they are) why are you trying to dictate there lives- concentrate on living your own-- this is usually what makes parents happy.If you choose to live your life in such a way that you live for a long time, well done !!!!
2007-01-06 12:48:05 · answer #7 · answered by bob 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It will only work if they want to help themselves otherwise you are wasting your time.
2007-01-06 12:41:54 · answer #8 · answered by Bob 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you can only stand back
2007-01-06 12:43:03 · answer #9 · answered by ann f 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I DONT NO READ BOOK
2007-01-06 12:42:12 · answer #10 · answered by tinkerbell_rickeshia 1 · 0⤊ 4⤋