Help me get this couch potato off the couch

[ladycasshmere]

My sister is only 18 and she has turned into a complete couch potato. I live in a different town from her and my mom but I come to visit on weekends. When I come to see her she is always laying down either on the couch or in her room. She barely ever leaves the house and she does no housework what so ever. I am really worried about her because she has high blood pressure and she is only 18. Whenever I try to get her out the house she always makes up an excuse like her head hurts or she feels tired.I have gotten her to eat oatmeal in the morning in place for the ramen noodles she usually piles on but I still wish I could figure a way to get her to be more active. Any suggestions?

[6265AT99]

My sister is only 18 and she has turned into a complete couch potato. I live in a different town from her and my mom but I come to visit on weekends. When I come to see her she is always laying down either on the couch or in her room. She barely ever leaves the house and she does no housework what so ever. I am really worried about her because she has high blood pressure and she is only 18. Whenever I try to get her out the house she always makes up an excuse like her head hurts or she feels tired.I have gotten her to eat oatmeal in the morning in place for the ramen noodles she usually piles on but I still wish I could figure a way to get her to be more active. Any suggestions?

Seems to me she needs a little help in learning what to eat as well as a little motivation to get moving.  If she has a game system there are plenty of games that are fun and exercise.  If not, she can just walk outside.  Any kind of movement is better than none!!!!  She will not get any better unless and until she starts moving.  I too have high blood pressure and there are 2 things I do on a regular basis - one is to drink an 8 oz. glass of water mixed with 1 oz. of cider vinegar in the morning and the second is get out to the gym.  If you can't afford a gym membership, then just get out and walk around the block once or twice.  When that gets too easy, try going further and quicker.  I know, that once she starts and starts seeing results in the way she feels (and maybe even looks) she will want to do more - not less.  Also important is strength training 2-3x a week - either with weights or if none are available, use soup cans.  Additionally, if she has access to the internet there are plenty of free sites to help with diet, nutrition and exercise.  I wish her much good luck!!!!!!!  Don't give up on her - she can do it!!!!!

[rojones9509]

I believe there is really no way to get the person from being lazy.

[masked_brown_guy]

tell her potatoes need sun to grow.

[ernica96]

help her find something she's interested in. It's easier to not be a couch potato when you don't want to be one not when other try to make you not be one.

[brum7814]

Well, ramen noodles is just going to raise her blood pressure with all that salt content.  =-P

[demaina]

Most likely, you aren't going to be able to unless you possibly bribe her.  Most people don't change unless they want to, so if someone else tells them to change, they will just become more of the opposite.  One thing to do is try talking to her and asking her if something is bugging her since she has all these headaches or something.  It very well could be she's dealing with constant pain and that's why she doesn't want to do anything.

Also, see if she is interested in anything either for a career or just for fun.  Sometimes that can motivate people if they enjoy what they are doing.

[cwright32]

They say that a body at rest stays at rest, you need to find an activity that she would actually enjoy doing. Everyone has something they are interested in, once you find what your sister is interested in then it will be easier for you to think of activities she will enjoy doing. Perhaps start doing something together with her to motivate her and if it's something she really loves, she will continue doing it when you go back home. hope this helps.

[jtrask]

Maybe music would help to move off the couch. 

[ladycasshmere]

She stays glued to her computer. I did notice when her pc wasnt working I was able to get her out to take her mind off it. if only i could convince my mom to sort of limit her time online. She has become sorta obsessed. That is another problem and I think it does have something to do with her weight too.

[candyterrius]

Wow… at 18 and already with high blood pressure?! The kind of convenient food (diet) she adopts says everything about her own health and physical image. Does she live alone? In order to get your sister out of the house, don’t keep any food at home. She’ll eventually need to make the trip to the grocery store for food at least. Someone needs to go with her to buy more healthier items.

[Pplaya123]

I think it would be helpful to tell her about all the benefits of living a healthy lifestyle. She would be making herself be better physically and mentally. I think that exercise is something that is hard to commit to for some people. The hard work is worth it.

[vp44]

Lead by example and then lecture n what good your doing, and what she could be doing better.

[ben50]

talk to your mom and maybe your mom will make her get out and do something if not really can't do anything, her life

[PMZ908]

some people are lazy