My dad and his health...

[danceislife080]

My Dad and I never really talk all that much...but I cannot help but be concerned for the sake of his health. He recently retired and his eating habits are far from nutritious. He drinks, a lot. For as along as I can remember he hasn't gone one night with out a beer. He also eats a lot...which isn't unusual he's a guy after all. But it's what he is eating is what I am so concerned about. A few months ago he went to a nutritionist because his cholesterol was sky rocketing. In short they told him to start eating healthy. This lasted for about two weeks, and he even gave up beer. Then he slowly started to go back to his old habits. His diet mainly consists of processed foods, fattening foods...and his beer. He never exercises. The last week I've watched him down a big bag of chips EVERY NIGHT. I don't understand how he's ended up like this. When he was younger, he used to exercise, eat right, and looked pretty good. Now, he's just lazy. (But that's another story) In fact he used to judge my Mum and sister constantly. (They both have weight issues.) He used to say stuff to me like, "Don't eat that or you'll end up like Mummy." How can I approach this to him. I tried talking to it with Mum but she says, "his problem not mine." My Mum has issues with my dad. (Again, another story.)

Help.

[Anonymous]

I think it's the stress from all of the problems with your mum and whatever else that makes him go to food to ease the pain. I am not a psychologist or anything. I just go with my own experience. I am currently very depressed and find consuming ungodly amount of unhealthy food and alcohol to be a way to comfort myself. Food doesn't judge me. The funny thing is, because I am so alone, I have never caused any trouble with anyone or made anyone concern despite the fact that I drink more than half a liter of Vodka every night and pass out drunk just about anywhere in the house. It is always very interesting experience, every morning, to try to find out what I did or eat the night before.

If I had a daughter who concern about me and tell me so, I would be moved. Until then...

[Anonymous]

Your dad has to be the one to change his eating habits. And he probably won't until it's too late or he gets a real health scare, unfortunately. My dad is the same way. He's been smoking since he was 16 and is now 56 or something, always drinks soda, constantly eats crappy food, never exercises and has asthma. There's nothing you can really do because if you criticize him he won't take it to heart.