How can I help DH lose weight?

[Geekster1963]

I’m concerned about DH’s weight. He has never been really slim but over the last four years he has gained quite a bit. I still love him and fancy him it’s from a health point of view I worry.

His Dad had a heart attack at 59 and has diabetes. DH is 47 and we have a six year old DD. He’s on medication for high blood pressure too.

He knows he needs to lose weight and we have talked about it. I don’t want to nag at him or make him feel unhappy or bad about himself.

We try and have healthy meals and go out for walks as a family. Is there anything I’m missing?

It has to come from him.
What does he want to do to lose weight?
There are simple things like giving up snacking and things that require more effort like going to the gym or taking up a fitness regime, joining something like weight watchers or slimming world or doing a low carb or calorie diet.
There are lots of apps to help too.
The important thing is what does he think will work for him?

Try to encourage him to eat during an 8 hour window only. I've lost weight doing this and it's almost impossible to put it back on (not that I want to!). It changes your appetite and you lose the desire to overeat.

I think you are right it does have to come from him. He knows deep down he needs to do something about it, it’s just doing it in his own time. He has done Slimming world years ago and it worked.

My Dad is similiar and due to his history I got him to ask the GP for some heart tests and a review it’s a cardiologist. As well as losing weight with the family history it’s worth getting things looked at

It's really hard I know when a loved one is suffering and we know of lifestyle interventions that could make a significant difference.
I've lived a very similar scenario. I'm a qualified healthy chef and educator and the best that I could do was model my healthy choices at meal times and always have a book & dvd in my bag so that ever any interest was sparked, I could follow through.
I had to restrain the part of me that wanted to tell them what to do! Even if we couch it in loving concern, peeps who dont want to hear it, wont hear our message and will often take offence or feel hurt.

He's had a few tests due to him having high blood pressure. His heart is fine as is his cholesterol at the moment.

DH lost 3 stone and gained a 6 pack. He started by walking the dog in the evenings. Then started the 5:2 diet.

Then he got really interested in nutrition and started a home exercise routine that never took more than 40 mins a night.

Start with no treats in the house, don’t buy it.
Any meals you prep bulk up with added veg.
Make simple substitutions. I downloaded the glycemic index of common foods a while back so sweet potatoes for white, quinoa vs cous cous, rye bread vs whole wheat.
Maybe consider an Apple Watch and loading his phone with 60 minutes of his fave music, suggest he go walking for 45 minutes a day.
Yes, it’s his decision to make but you can help out. 👍