A note on exercise ...

[MichaelOM]

... I hate it! Even so, I am participating in a six month study here in Chicago measuring the impact of exercise on the PD brain and, with the help of a trainer, have been diligent. The results of the study are a way off, but I have to admit, it's been five months and this exercise thing has worked very well for me. I've lost weight, gained strength, sleep better, and have fewer and less prolonged symptoms. I'm also making some muscles and generally feel better, too.

One more point ... I had to go the New Jersey for a couple of weeks due to the unexpected death of a close friend and, due to the craziness, I had a two week layoff from my exercise regimen. Toward the end of the first week I started to weaken. Symptoms started coming on more often and with more intensity, and by the time I came home I was kind of a wreck. But I went back to my exercise program and have been there twice in the last four days, and I can already feel my strength returning and my symptoms abating.

There is something to this exercise thing, at least for me.

[Hidden]

It has made a world of difference for me!!!

Just went to my eye doctor and she is amazed at the difference!

[DeParkiePoet]

Way to go M.OM... The was an article in the Washington Post about the benefits of strenous exercise for PD Px. They intimated that working out, eg riding hard, fast and far, 3 times a week for 8 weeks ameliorated the PD symptx for an additional month, even if you stopped. I'm ready for that... keep up the good wo

rk

[Dennis]

Thanks for your post, Michael. I must begin to exercise. Days are getting more difficult with PD. Dennis

[CheriH]

Michael, it works for me too. I have internal tremors and sometimes feel like my insides are vibrating. When this happened recently, I got on the elliptical and exercised 10 minutes....that did it! I calmed down. I believe in the power of exercise. I try (notice I say "try") to exercise 5-6 times a week. I feel so much better when I do.

[jillfd]

Yes! Thumbs up! I know that with over 10 years in I would not still be as active and have as much quality "on time" if I didn't exercise. I was a runner and gym rat before I was diagnosed so it was not a change in habits for me but it would have been easy to tell myself that exercise was now too hard .

By the way, exercise just means pushing your body to work harder and you can have fun . Yesterday was a hike with grandkids on the crater rim trail at Kilauea.

But I do need to get that bike out and use it .

Jill

[Joealt]

My daughter, who rows on a college rowing team, coaxed me into going to the gym with her so that she could stay in shape during winter break. Now I go three times a week. I can feel the difference in both my mental and physical health.

[Amazin]

Hi I am curious about what they had you do for training, what do you do now. Reslts of study and how are you today. Very interesting... so many drs. just say take more pills.