My Dad and Losing It with Jillian

I have been really concerned about my dad the last year or so. Since I have started out on my own and realized how hard life can be, and how easy it is to let yourself go at times...I start to think of my dad. My dad has always been a so outgoing and so strong. About 8 years ago, my dad got laid off from his job. He was overweight then and no one thought much about it. After he lost his job he started to put on a lot of weight. With 8 people+ himself at home the stress built up and tore him down. Since then he has kept putting more and more on. Last year I wrote him a heartfelt letter and told him my feelings of not wanting him to be in a wheelchair the last half of his life or even die. I told him that I wanted him to be able to run around and play with my kids on the back lawn at his house and to be healthy. Well he was really upset with me and didn't talk to me for a long time. When we first started talking again I just tried to pretend that I never said anything. I just let it go...even though inside it killed me every time I talked to him. I wanted to scream at him or say something so that he would start to do something to lose some weight. I have tried to talk to my mom about it, but I think she is tired of trying. My mom and I could be working out in the front room and my dad will just watch or go to the other end of the house. We go on family walks and he stays home. I am so worried about my dad having a heart attack or a stoke that it makes me hurt inside and cry. I look at my dad and I am in pain for him. It hurts me to see him like this. I am sick of just standing by and being to afraid to say anything. I don't want him to die young. No way! My grandpa Henry was overweight and he had two strokes and died at the young age of 65. 65 is so young. I don't want to lose my dad. I don't know what it is going to take to help him snap out of this. It is not like we don't try to be good examples of eating right and exercising. We have talked to him and the doctors say that he is a prime candidate for a heart attack. He has had back problems from an accident since I was a baby, but I think that if he would lose at least 25 pounds he would feel better...or any weight would help. I don't know where to turn. My dad is such a great example in my life of so many things. He is so strong and so loving. I don't want him to leave us...and leave my mom alone with 7 daughters...6 still at home at the moment. That would be so terrible for my mother. I know that even if he reads this it won't help. He would just be mad at me again. I am at the end of ideas. If anyone has any ideas please let me know. I watched that new show "Losing It with Jillian" tonight and it was so inspirational, but so sad at the same time. Jillian was right there in their faces and telling them to get up and not stop and that they could do it. People don't need gastric bypass or anything. They just cannot give up. She helped this family start new and they all lost massive amounts of weight in 6 weeks...yes 6...by eating right and exercising. They started to lead active lifestyles and they lost at least 25 pounds. The dad of the family lost 48. They all looked so good and so healthy. I am sure they felt that way too. I am just so scared that something is going to happen. I could not deal with losing my dad. He is not even 50 yet. He is WAY too young to die. He needs to be pushed, but we are not strong enough to do it. I love you dad, and I want you to live for a long time and play with Braeden and any other kids that come along our way. You still have 6 more daughters so see get married and have kids too. You and mom need to grow old together and love each other. Amanda and Danielle need you to be to their high school graduations. Please do something. Start small, but just do SOMETHING! Get rid of the junk food, and come on walks with is. Start doing push ups and sit ups as much as it hurts JUST DO IT! I love you dad!!!