It is hard for anyone to witness the health and well-being of their parents slowly deteriorate. Sadly, many parents devoted so much of their own time to ensure that their children led healthy lives and many have neglected their own health. Without an active lifestyle, your parents will experience more rapid aging and a number of health problems. The trick is motivating them to get fit again and maintaining their efforts.
Imagine how it must feel to have the person you raised grow up to tell you what to do one day. Well, that is what your parents are probably going through if you are instructing them to get back in shape. Try not to tell them what they should do, but motivate them through positive encouragement and demonstration. Like a child, your parents may stubbornly refuse to do what it takes to get fit if they feel forced to so or that it will be tedious and boring. So, approach the subject delicately, express genuine concern for their well-being, and discuss different activities you can do together to both live healthier lives.
The best way to motivate anyone to exercise and eat healthy is by demonstration. If you tell your mom and pop they need to go for more walks and eat more green veggies, than you should too. Remember, you are aging just as they are, and their health concerns should be yours too. So, plan a day where you take your mom and dad, or both, out to the park or to the gym. Spending that time together will greatly impact how much they enjoy the actual exercise. Working out will become a great experience they will want to continue.