Improving My Dad's Health
What's up everyone,
I just wanted to post about something to see if anyone has had a similar experience in their lives and if anyone could offer any advice to me.
My dad is out of shape. Not terribly out of shape but not in good shape either, he has the typical "dad-bod" that many middle-aged men have with the beer gut and so on. He's in his late 50's and has never been an athletic person, was more of a band geek than a football player and more interested in intellectual pursuits than physical ones. He loves steak and bourbon and doesn't take great care of himself. I never really thought much of his health until recently (he's never had any major health issues) but I'm now in my penultimate semester of college and I've been starting to think more about the future and it's had me thinking more and more about my dad's health. He's the smartest person I've ever met, a complete wealth of knowledge and the one who got me interested in economics and finance. I will be home this summer in NYC with him and want to dedicate a lot of effort to get him in better shape, the problem is I just don't know exactly where to start. He's a banker and under a mountain of stress constantly and seems to never have time to exercise or eat particularly well and its hard to break a lot of the not-so-great habits that he has developed over his lifetime. His dad (my grandfather) died when he was 75, and I never really got to know him and it scares me to think that my dad might end up the same way.
I'm not expecting an exercise regimen or diet plan per se, but I'd love to hear from anyone else who has dealt with a similar issue and how you dealt with creating a lifestyle change for someone who doesn't have a ton of intrinsic motivation to make the change themselves. Thank everyone.
Health is the one thing no amount of money can buy. I have a dad in a similar situation and would advise you find him less stress and fulfilling relationships which both give him meaning to life and incentive to live long.
TRT. Isn’t that what all the 50 year old bankers do?
Does he play golf? I started taking golf lessons and got my dad to take a couple. He's hooked now and it gets him outside and moving around. Plus it's something we can do together as a family. This can probably apply to a bunch of other sports that you can play until you're elderly (tennis, squash).
Additionally, I'd have a serious conversation with him. Health is worth so much more than money especially at his age. You can't take it with you!
Behavior change when it comes to exercise and nutrition is a hard thing - basically, if someone isn't already considering a change themselves, it gets exponentially harder to encourage them to change from the outside.
Take a quick look through this - https://www.prochange.com/transtheoretical-model-of-behavior-change
The way to encourage someone who is in the "precontemplation" phase is to educate them in a casual way. Send an interesting article every now and again, chat about fitness-related things you do that you enjoy with no expectations, offer to include him in things you are currently doing to be healthy.
As precontemplation turns into contemplation, things get easier, but casual education is definitely the place to start!
My dad had a 6month break due to a gardening leave and lost 40lbs. PM can surely offer help on how he did it and where to start.
go to the gym with him and work out together?
Not to be mean, but you’re dad is a grown man. Not your job to babysit him.
Pretty sure encouraging is not the same as babysitting.
Easiest thing to do is go on a walk with him and talk about life. It'll get him moving and that's usually the first step.
If you make food or order out, do some healthier options and make that the only shit available.
If you hop in too strong he may blow it off.
The key is going to be getting a routine. An OK thing you stick with is better than as perfect regimen that you shrug off after a week. My personal secret is that the SO and I go to the gym at 6:30 every morning and either do a 5K on the eliptical or climb 1 WTC (110 flights) on the stair climber. I get shamed and told I'm not going to get any if I don't put on my shoes and move my @$$
A suggestion given your description of your dad is that he listen to podcasts while exercising. I normally do DAYB<GO> The Economist and NYT's The Daily in the mornings before work. I was always told "listen to music to motivate you while exercising" Eff that. I don't want to be motivated. I want to forget that I'm exercising. Good, intelligent podcasts do that.
Admittedly I have been slacking with the weightlifting recently. I really should hit the weights this afternoon.
Also: home & building gyms are awesome. I am sure I'd be in much worse shape if it wasn't 200' from my couch to the elliptical. Removing barriers is such a help with exercising.
Yeah agreed - I have home gym equipment and my clubhouse gym is only a 4 min walk away. I love that clubhouse gym. There are always hot chicks around too and it overlooks the pool with more hot chicks.
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