Exercising with Parkinson’s disease can sometimes feel like navigating unknown terrain. There is often uncertainty around exercise, and sometimes also worry about what one is capable of. You need inspiration, motivation and preferably suggestions for what and how to train. One way to become inspired is to read stories about how others with Parkinson’s exercise.
Then it is easy to use the internet and Google. It is easy to find stories where you are met with exercise focused on extreme physical activities such as marathon running, heavy strength training or long bike rides.
Perhaps you find a story about someone with Parkinson’s who, tired but happy, has run their first marathon. Someone who talks about goals, training and how the race was completed. About the happiness and joy that it was possible despite Parkinson’s. A story about winning the jackpot.
I am happy for that person, for her who succeeded with her chosen form of exercise and reached her ambitious goal. But am I there myself? Do I want to get there? Does it motivate me to exercise? Or does the opposite happen — do I get a knot in my stomach and feel discouraged? Do I feel that the exercise I do is not good enough?
What I am talking about are stories of experiences shared to encourage and inspire, to show that it is possible. But I think we need to be aware that we react differently when we read stories about those who chose and did what seems impossible. We are different, with different motivations and different goals.
This makes me believe that there needs to be a balance between different types of stories. A balance between stories about extreme physical activities and those about walking or doing water aerobics to keep the body in check. Stories about those who choose Nordic walking because that is what works for them, about all those who do not engage in extreme forms of exercise in order to feel well. Their stories about what they do and how they make exercise work in everyday life are just as important a source of inspiration.
Because do you really have to engage in extreme physical activities to benefit from exercise when living with Parkinson’s?
The answer is simple: no. Exercise should rather be seen as an adaptable and personal journey, not a checklist of intense activities. It is a personal journey where it is important to find both a form of exercise and an exercise routine that suits your own abilities and needs.
But more important than the type of exercise you choose is that you exercise regularly. Research has shown that regular exercise can help slow the progression of the disease and improve quality of life for people with Parkinson’s.
So no, you do not need to run marathons, lift heavy weights or cycle long distances for exercise to be meaningful when you have Parkinson’s. The most important thing is to find a form of exercise that you enjoy and that suits your body and your lifestyle. It may be a walk, a gentle yoga class or a swim. What matters is that you move regularly and create a positive, adapted exercise routine that strengthens both body and soul.
Those who know me know that I like to exercise. For many years, exercise was a lifestyle that I enjoyed and that was part of my everyday life all year round. Far fewer people know about my sense of grief and loss when the pandemic forced me to change the way I exercised.
Today, I like what is called aerobic exercise. This can include everything from walking and swimming to dancing and cycling. These are activities that increase heart rate and improve oxygen uptake.
I choose not to go to the gym and instead use my own body weight, lighter weights or resistance bands to strengthen my muscles and improve mobility. My focus is on the muscle groups affected by Parkinson’s, such as the legs and core.
I also choose yoga and different stretching movements because they improve flexibility and reduce stiffness. A bonus of these activities is relaxation and stress management.
Running a marathon will not be relevant for me, but walking every day is definitely one of my goals. When I walk, I can train balance and mobility, breathe fresh air and look around. It is definitely an extra bonus when the sun is shining. Walking also means that I remind my body every day how that movement should be performed.
I often think that, despite everything that is said about exercise and Parkinson’s, the best exercise is the one that actually gets done.
Cecilia Qwinth, author and influencer with the blog: My life with Parkinson’s