It has been more than 12 years since, at the age of 46, I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. I have found exercise to be the best medicine.
A year or two after my diagnosis, I began cycling between 60 and 80 miles per week. I also worked out at the gym in group exercise classes five or six days for a total of about 15 hours of exercise per week. As a result, I suffered virtually no disease progression for eight years.
After moving from Los Angeles to an oceanfront home in San Clemente, I stopped cycling and replaced that activity with daily walks on the beach. I found that my disease began to rapidly progress.
PwP's live in their heads. In order to recover, they must come back to their senses. Taking their body as a pretext, they can observe its postures and movements. The resulting set of sensations, breathing first, emerges as consciousness.
Unless the bicycle prosthesis is fully felt as an extra limb, John Pepper's conscious way of fast walking is more akin to practices such as Yoga and Qi gong and consequently superior to cycling, just as Meditation is superior to mere concentration.
Think of the car driver you gently tap on the shoulder. He will need a long delay to respond because he is lost in his thoughts and merely concentrating on the prosthesis (the car), not being spatially aware of the whole picture.
Hello Lizzy9, I ride for 20 minutes each day. I can't remember who posted this but you're supposed to go as fast as you can for 30 seconds, then slow down for 30 but not going lower than 80 heartbeats per second. Do this for 20 minutes. Sometimes I try to do more time going fast. After the ride I don't feel tired but energized.
Yep, I can see why! It sounds like he was reaching zone 2 cardio with his cycling (studies show the brain can be triggered into repair potentially at this level), as gdnf is produced.
His intensity has dropped, except for it just being fast walking, it seems john pepper was bang on the money
hi my friend well im a walker i did try the bike for awhile but i prefere the walking its hard to say i still get the pain we all get but i do know you have to exercise it does make a differents to my life being 74 if i did not exercise i would hate to think what i would be like if i did not do it.i even have abs as i do different things while walking like sitting on a park bench and doing dips or push ups .my daughter shes in her forties and and can do marathons on bike and running.so why not do a little bit of both.all the best my friend keep it up dont stop or your in trouble,regards.john.
It's my understanding that cycling is not a load-bearing exercise and does little to work your back. An athlete friend of mine told me that it's not uncommon for a world-class cyclist to have back problems.
I've been speed walking and when i don't do it I start feeling off and get more shakes.. I also bike lots in the better weather- I mix it up so it's not just one form of cardio- Yes GDNF needs to be raised and exercise best way. One important thing I find is I need to push beyond my regular comfort zone. There are also supplements that raise GDNF: selfhacked.com/blog/gdnf/
I’m 73. Been cycling since 40. At least 80 miles a week + with very long and very steep ascents. I was diagnosed at 69 and had my first back op at 69. Laminectomy. 5 months ago I had a double fusion with a collapsed disk. I presently fast walk. 2-3+ miles a day, the best I can. I have definitely progressed after my dx. Also could not maintain serious cycling after dx due to surgeries. Whether progression increased NOT due to cycling or just aging I will never know. I can say that both exercises are excellent. I personally feel that 3-4 hours of elevated heart rate (cycling) may have been a factor of slowing my progression at that time but no proof, just a feeling.
Born smiling, Cyclists should not bear any weight load on the back. That would attribute to poor posture. My bad back is due to aging. I now do core exercises daily NOT to bear weight on my back. Therapy is teaching me how to strength my core so I can exercise more effectively and have a healthier and more enjoyable life.
I am just about ready to start cycling again as recently C/L has benefited my tremors greatly and will afford me, hopefully 2 hours of consistent cycling. Not a good idea to cycle with tremors.
Bottom line- my take is... If you have a movement disorder as we do MOVE the best you can with concerted effort, if and when possible.
Now that Spring is here I'll be getting out on my road bike- same-used to be 4+ hours on the saddle often and felt amazing after...but that was WITHOUT pd... I'm looking forward to doing it again and seeing how much I can push the limits! As far as I'm concerned as long as I can move I can exercise..cheers!
hey is it arm or leg tremors when u ride, and how does it hinder? handle bar shakes? I am doing weight lifting daily and I feel it helps stabilize my weaker left shaky hand/arm...
I experience tremors in right hand and arm. Going up steep ascents I start losing control. C/l is bringing tremors down considerably. I hopefully will try again in near future. I exercise arms with bands daily. Do not stop tremors.
Again, it is very individual.. Doesn't matter what exactly you do, either cycling or fast-walking or jogging or non contact boxing or whatever of that aerobic kind and etc.. Just have to find out what works for you and than push hard to the limit your system on it with patience, hope, belief and persistence. The result will be one and same: "NO PROGRESSION". Till no cure, this is the only way for us to survive..
Very True..I'm amazed what vigorous exercise does to symptoms- Everyone has different levels just important to keep pushing the limits and before you know it , I believe u will get good results.
I use a treadmill because I can track my progress or its lack. I use a heart rate monitor. I do HIIT: hyper Intense Interval Training. The workout has been shown to elevate growth hormone. It takes 20 minutes but then I walk for 2-3 hours playing with speed and incline of the machine. The goal is to burn 1000 calories, according to the treadmill. It says I burn 100 calories in one mile at zero incline or 500 calories at 10 % incline.
I do both but I prefer to cycle because of knee issues .( torn meniscus and arthritis) John Pepper is a fast walker, I think its finding what works for you and making it routine. In a couple of weeks my work partner wants me to go start working out with her at the gym at work as well, also swim. Just find what works and go for it! We are here for motivation and support.
Perhaps you need to increase the level of aerobic intensity. Walk at a quicker pace or try adding a stationary bike to your routine if cycling isn't an option. Best thing in my humble opinion is to get back on the bike.....
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If this treatment existed for Parkinson's disease...survey...
MDs, researchers, scientists have long claimed exercise works like a miracle drug. Now they have proof. Cover of Sept 12 issue of Time 
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looking for feedback on exercise routines
