[GhostUser]

Hey guys!

I've set a goal for myself [as has my dad] for over Christmas break and I wanted some advice on it.

I'm vegan and my dad's almost as carnivorous [sp?] as they come. The problem is that he just got test results back w/ high cholesterol [over 200] and that runs in our family, his mom and 3 of his 4 siblings have it... oddly enough no one is fat - but very unhealthy on the "inside". We also think that he has gallstones [his mom also had those].

Basically I want to help him change his diet [and get him moving on his feet more]. Unfortunately, I don't think he's too worried because he is not really "fat", but I really want to wake him up and make him realize that he is on a downward spiral of bad health... that the little bit of belly fat is really bad, his cholesterol must go down [no excuses], and that he really needs to be exercising, which at this point is 0 minutes a day.

My mom and sister will be overseas for 6 weeks visiting family so I will be doing most of the cooking since he works a lot and buying all the groceries. I pretty much have total control over food in the house, but how can I get him to make smarter choices when he's out? [This being a guy who told my mom that he ate the healthiest thing in the store... a cinnamon roll as opposed to the doughnut!]

Anywhoots, thanks for reading and any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[sushi8kat]

My Dad and family have this problem too. We all struggle with cholesterol, which is funny considering that my family grew up eating healthy, my mom, me and one of my sisters are vegetarian, my other sister doesn't eat much meat at all, but my dad is like yours in that he cannot give up his meat or sweet stuff, but he is very healthy looking. My older sister and Dad both got test results with high cholesterol a while ago, so my sister started exercising and eating less dairy, and got better. My Dad's was much worse than my sister's and he was showing signs of blood sugar problems as well, and I think that really scared him to make some serious changes.

What has helped for my Dad has definitely been the exercise. My dad adopted three dogs, and hikes with them every single day. It has gotten his good cholesterol way up and he's been doing so much better...I think exercise is key, and the best way to get into a good exercise habit is to find something that your dad enjoys to do, and encourage him do it often. My dad loves walking/hiking, but me on the other hand, much prefer to do short high impact aerobic in my own house, or dancing. My boyfriend loves lifting weights. Everybody has to find their own thing.

As for diet, I would just take small steps. From my experience, most "carnivores" are only afraid of healthy alternatives because they haven't really ever tried them. Just introducing my family to a lot of healthy things such as whole wheat breads, organic foods, veganese, healthy cereals and healthy recipes has really made a difference. I know because I've moved away from home now, but when I come to visit or go shopping with my parents they will be buying the stuff that I introduce them to.

Hope this helps and good luck.