Exercise and PD - can't get going...

[Barb070]

I know I should start exercising - I know it will help deal with the symptoms and I know it can bring a quality of life that would be more effective than anything else,,,,,but I am so depressed and stuck in the mud. Can't afford the gym - and I'm miles from a pool or gym anyway, exhausted at the end of the day, almost no time to myself. Any ideas to get me moving?

[shasha]

how abiut an exercise bike ? you sound pretty active to me thiough - if you are still able ti teach - that is pretty tiring in itself surely ? are you perhaps expecting too much of yourself ?

[ram927]

if nothing more than walk this will start the program and then slowly increase BUT take that first step it is important

[Beachdog]

Welcome to the club. I walk the dog and have started taking a yoga class at the local community school...and try to do yoga 2 nights a week at home. Good for the flex but not at all aerobic.

I could never get into the gym routine, treadmills or exer-bikes which I know would be good. Maybe 2012 .... nah.

[soup]

Have you thought of tackling the depression first? My husband could barely get out of bed until this non-motor symptom was corrected and he was used to running 5miles daily and exercising on a gym at work.

Now he is off his depression medication, walking and doing his physio exercises daily. He has his life back!

The antidepressants gave him the chance to exercise and now the exercise he does has enabled him to come off the anti depressants. It was like a vicious cycle which the meds helped him break.

[tlongmire]

Barb,

When I can't get to the gym (or when I'm to tired or lazy to go) I use Leslie Sansone's Walk Slim. It is primarily walking in place but has some other easy moves incorporated. You can walk 1, 2, 3, or 4 miles in the comfort of your own home, my husband even walks with me on some days. The mile takes about 15 minutes. Good luck.

Amazon.com

Leslie Sansone Walk Slim: Fast and Firm 4 Really Big Miles Starring Leslie Sansone (May 6, 2008)

(152 customer reviews)DVD

Buy new: $16.98 $8.99 36 new from $5.83 15 used from $4.17

[Hidden in reply to tlongmire]

I have been using Leslie Sansone's Walk Your Stomach Flat for over a year. It had been WONDERFUL!!

My neighbor is now coming over twice a week and walking with me. That is helpful, we can talk while walking. I luv Leslie, but listening to her say the same thing everyday does get a little boring.

Changing my meds gave me the energy to begin eating better and to begin exercising.

I began feeling sooo much better, my doctor's office was amazed. I have also lost over 30 lbs and no longer use my handicap sticker.

[tlongmire in reply to Hidden]

You are right about listening to her, it does get a little old. But she does get results and gets you moving which is what we all need to do. The best part is you can do the workout in you PJs if you want to.

[Parkinson_Schmarkinson]

Exercise will SAVE YOUR LIFE!

A brisk walk for 15 or 20 minutes

will make you feel better, I am sure.

There are many exercise programs,

but I'd say it all starts there. If you

can walk without falling down, just

do it.

[Anemone in reply to Parkinson_Schmarkinson]

Therein lies a problem--if you can walk. Well, that's a problem for me. And any standing exercises are downright exhausting and painful. I swam (sort of) all summer, but now it's cold and I haven't had the energy to go to indoor pool. Pooh. This is something that really bothers me. I was never good at physical stuff, but now, what to do?

[christinemc]

I bought myself a Wii fit, and try to use it for a short time everyday, and it does help me( at 59 I am no athlete but it is a fun way to excercise alone)

[Hidden in reply to christinemc]

I bought an Xbox Connect, decided it was about the price of a gym membership.

I luv the way it corrects me if I'm not doing it correctly and gives me a score at the end of each session. I am competing with only myself and can do it without anyone watching.

I can also choose what I want to do, when I want to and how much. There are exercises that I thought I could never do, but I was able to do them with practice.

I have a choice of gym games, a workout and Tai Chi. I do some of each 4-5 times a week. I aim at 6 days a week, but seldom make it.

I also have a video I walk to {Leslie Sansone's Walk Your Stomach Flat} that I can use when traveling or for change.

[Hidden]

I am a natural born sloth, music is the only solution for me, it makes me dance which I do everyday

[srarndt]

NBS - i love it! Me too!

Always hated exercising, still not big on it at all, with the possible exception of walking the dog 2 miles a day 5-6 days per week.

[Court]

I also walk my dogs most days, but this is no help to anyone who doesn't have dogs. I also have a wii fit but have got out of the routine of using it over the holiday. Sure it will tell me off when I start again. However, I need to lose some weight so also use a Rosemary Conley DVD which I promise to use more when I have had my angina? sorted. I am having a scan in a couple of weeks so hope I can try something more aerobic then.

[Jose]

Shop for sales at a sporting goods store that has workout equipment and slowly build your inventory of a half dozen or so exercise aids. Find a physical therapist who treats neurology patients (PD included) and ask their advice or simply observe what is used on the floor of their clinic. Install a stretching bar to hang from in the garage. An "eye" hook high on a wall with a strong rope attached to handles works the arms and shoulders. Play catch with a friend or wife with a few medicine balls (3, 4 ,or 6 lbs). Doing this for 30 minutes to an hour will surprise you. Try it for starters.

[DavidGreaves]

Most people find it hard to get started and I include myself. Every day is a mind battle not a body battle. You need to be able to turn 'I don't exercise' into 'I do exercise' and actually that is not hard at all, as long as you set yourself a small target. I'll bet I can turn everyone reading this into an exerciser, for today a least. As you sit there reading this, just sit up straight, put your hands on your thighs, then shrug your shoulders ten times. Have you done it. Yes? Good. Now you can say you have exercised today. Now add on that each day and you have an exercise programme.

The second most important thing you can do is to get someone to share your exercise programme with you, whatever it is.If you decide to go swimming by youself every Monday, for example,, and you change your mind and decide no to go, you are only letting yourself down and we are all very good at making excuses to ouselves. But if you have a training buddy and you know that you would let them down too, it's much harder to back out. Try it. It works..

[Hidden in reply to DavidGreaves]

My neighbor comes over 2-3 times a week to walk to a video with me. It sure does make a difference! With the holidays and her recent surgery I have not done as well as I had hoped.

[Owenbob in reply to DavidGreaves]

The shoulder shrug is a part of yoga - which I go to once a week. My biggest complaint ia just being so tired all the time. I don't want to do anything accept sit. Very hard to go walking. And balance is not good.

[Anemone in reply to Owenbob]

Me too.

[CheriH]

Exercise isn't fun; but so necessary. That first step is the hardest; but once you get going, you will feel so much better. Anything is better than nothing. When there are times that you miss, don't fall off the wagon. Pick yourself up and start again. Music helps me get through it. I love music and would much rather count down to it than looking at a timer on the elliptical! Good luck....I know you can do it!

[Parkersclimb]

I have watched my husband dealing with PD (diagnosed in 2006 but likely had PD as early as 03-04) and I cannot begin to tell you how effective an exercise regimen is for his overall well-being. Everything is better when he is working out! The attitude, the movement and his overall attitude to keep moving - but on his terms!

Try an exercise video or a yoga class - something that allows you to work up to a program as your skills improve.

Also - research your area for exercise classes that may be sponsored for those with PD or other neurological disorders. I cannot stress enough - if you do not keep the muscles moving on your terms - you will decline further.

Exercise promotes the flow of dopamine - think about getting a bicycle stand and peddling inside in front of the TV - google bicycling and PD and you will find articles on Cleveland Clinic studies showing how this improves PD symptoms! Come on - YOU CAN DO IT!

Good Luck & Happy New Year! Praying for our cure!

Pamela of Parker's Climb

[Owenbob in reply to Parkersclimb]

Thank you so much. I'll keep this and look a it every day. Maybe that will get me going.

[NanCyclist]

Check out pedalingforparkinsons.org. You can choose between being a bobble head granny in a wheelchair or a healthy, active adult. I wallowed in depression and watched my ever decreasing ability to move with horror until I heard about Dr. Jay Albert's research at the Cleveland Clinic and decided to try to bike. His is the only research based PD symptom remediation program that has been shown to work. All the other activities certainly have results such as those mentioned in these posts, but I like to go with what is scientifically proven. Since starting the cycling program I've ridden with Pedaling for Parkinson's twice across Iowa and climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro. I'm 65 and was diagnosed in Feb. 2008. It took the doctor no more than 5 seconds to diagnose me. I think I put off the visit a little long.

Keep in mind that you are in charge of your life. When I feel horrible or sorry for myself, I get on the bike and in five minutes I feel like a different person.

Best of luck. Let us know how you do.

[texasbred59]

DANCE!!! Kick everyone out of the room, turn some music on, and dance. And don't tell me you can't dance. We ALL can dance. It's fun, it's invigorating, and it makes you smile. (it makes others smile when they watch me dance!) It cured me of the holiday blues - it was a rough Christmas.

[harding55]

I joined Planet Fitness in August. It's only $10.00 a month. I love it. It took me a long time to get my butt off the couch but I am so happy I did. Check your tv - there are some exercise shows on tv - do what you can - any little thing helps. Best of luck.

[FifteenyearsPD]

Treadmill helps walking evenly without dragging one side of body. Has kept me agile for more than 15 yrs

Try it

[PatrickRafter]

Research has shown that following a "forced exercise" regimen (cycling therapy) can be very effective in reducing PD symptoms and improving mobiity, gait, balance, etc...

Thousands of people worldwide are riding Theracycle motor-powered exercise bicycles at their homes/gyms/therapists offices and have seen significant benefits (and improvements in quality of life) from cycling therapy.

As others have written above, beyond cycling--- PD patients see some benefits from other types of exercise: dance, yoga, stretching, walking, meditation, Wi-Fit, etc.

We have a growing collection of posts on the topic of "Exercise and PD" at The Theracycle Blog. Stop by our blog for insights from people living with movement disorders, as well as caregivers, medical pros:

blog.theracycle.com

We'd love to hear (and publish stories) of members of the community who have exercise success stories to tell.

Visit us and let us know what's working for YOU?

Thanks

--Patrick

Patrick Rafter

Blogger, The Theracycle Blog

Theracycle--- The power to improve lives

blog.theracycle.com

[e-mail]

[Cindi]

I can only really exercise early am- I feel the best right after taking my meds.. try starting as early as you can with short walks, increase as you get stronger- and you will get stronger... it just takes time. Exercise Bike is great- but again you start slowly. You will be surprised and happy with your results- plus it will help with depression and give you a feeling of confidence and achievement- set goals and be dedicated to them- you will feel better! I totally understand about the depression, but keep trying! Never give up- you can do it!!!

[monast]

I am using Nintendo Wii at home and this is so much good ex and it is fun. When i start training I May be in pain, but after a while my pains dos not feel so bad, and I am smiling. The game is EA sports and Cardio boxing, and Wii fit.

[christinemc]

I love the tennis on Wii sport, and skateboarding on Wii fit, not bad for a parky grandma of 59

[Helshubby]

I was a keen runner before PD but still manage to run at least every other day- I tell myself I "have to" and the benefits are wonderful - better mood , better sleep , less muscle stiffness

I have also been attending a regular Tai Chi class and practice most days - it certainly helps with my symptoms.

[Koko]

iT would be so much easier to stay in bed or on the sofa. BUT if you make yourself get up and move, you have won! THe feeling you get after exercising is so worth the concentrated effort you need to arouse to start moving. ONce you can get going you realize the disease doesn't own you. You are still the master of your body. THat is a wonderful feeling. Don't let PD win! Keep moving and you will be in control of YOUR body. It does not belong to hte disease unless you let it. GO for it!

[JohnPepper]

Hi Barb. I do my exercise, every second day, first thing in the morning. This means getting up as early as 5am in the summer and 6am in the winter. I am able to do one hour's walking before everybody else is up and about. That means I do a full day's 'work' afterwards. If I get tired during the day, I lie down and rest, but avoid doing that, if at all possible.

Kind regards

John

[JohnPepper]

I am not a doctor! Certain types of exercise have been proven, in double-blind studies run by Dr Beth Fisher, to produce a substance in the brain called Glial Derived Neurotrophic Factor (GDNF). This is a ready-made repair kit for the damaged brain cells, which produce dopamine. Energetic walking is the best exercise to do and the maximum optimal time is one hour, three times a week, on alternate days. Google GDNF. Or learn more from Pubmed: Here is the link to PubMed Help:

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/bookshelf/...

You may enter your search terms in the search box and click on the ‘Search’ button to get the hits.

For example,

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?te...]

You may read papers from Fisher BE at:

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

Kind regards

John