Exercise Doesn’t Have To Be Dull

Find an exercise program or regimen that you can adapt to match your lifestyle and fitness level. Seek out programs and classes in or near your area for Parkinson’s disease related workouts.

Make sure you have the okay from your doctors’ offices and that ALL of them (General Practitioner, Neurologist, Cardiologist, etc.) know what you are doing.

Exercise comes in many shapes and sizes

I try to take two walks a day, if my schedule and my medications will allow me. I enjoy my yoga videos and try to stretch as much as I can. I try to keep my mind and body as flexible as I can. I only have 1 of each. I find Qigong (moving meditation) to be very helpful for me as well. It helps me to stay centered, move better, and practice balance.

Boxing, cycling, yoga, dancing — all appear to be catching on as a way to increase fitness for people with Parkinson’s (PWP). There are a whole host of classes tailored just for PWPs all over the country and beyond North America. If any of these programs aren’t available in your area, you might even consider finding out how to start one of these classes in your community.

Videos may be helpful! Not everyone has resources, but there are some things that you can try. David Zids’ Delay the Disease and John Argues’ The Art of Moving are 2 book and DVD combinations that may help you stay limber, flexible, and moving. Also Becky Farley’s video and workbook, Pwr! Moves is another alternative that you can do at home when you can’t get away or don’t want to head to the gym.

Stay active and know your limits

Be careful – Be aware – Know your limits! Knowing your limits with PD is truly a minute by minute ever revolving target that can be very difficult to pinpoint. Sometimes, the best that you can do is to stay in tune with your body and pay close attention to your activity to make sure that you don’t overdo it, or hurt yourself.

Pay close attention to your balance. Falling can put you out of commission for a long time. Paying close attention to your body mechanics and slowly building strength and stamina are good objectives to think about.

Try to wedge out some time every day, or close to it, to do some sort of exercise or stretching. Just starting is an accomplishment and then after you get going, you have built a comfortable routine.

You may want to consider going to the water. Water exercises reduce falling, provide natural resistance, and may reduce your opportunity for injury.

You might consider a trainer, who has knowledge of what a PWP needs in a workout. Some gyms have trainers who will work with PWPs or even provide personalized instruction for your schedule or specific issues.

Exercise may have a neuroprotective effect on Parkinson’s disease. Stay active! Stay strong!