Yes, I'm going to raise everyones favoite issue...what do you do for exercise?
The thread on PD and fight training has got my attention (posted by Tina last week) and I am wondering what YOU do for exercise, and the results.

Chasmo had a friend in Australia named Imincat(?? something like that) who was young and quite incapacitated by PD who went into a training program not unlike army boot camp. She had amazing results. Where is she now and how is she doing? Also Fiona had some interesting experiences with dance...where is she and how is she doing? And what about the stiudies done at the university of Utah? Also Amazing results.

The boxing article really hit a chord with me and I'm going out trolling for a gym or a trainer or whatever I can find to get this body moving again. My theme song is :"I'm Still Standing"..God Bless Elton John. I know it's not a cure... but we short change ourselves when we ignore these testimonials . What are your thoughts on this and is anyone else interested in pursueing this avenue? Maybe we can compare notes...

Nikki just sold her interest in a bar and is visiting a friend in Florida. She is doing well.

Charlie

dear rosebud,

dear imnikat,
is a smart Aussie -you can not keep a good woman down!
she is my friend too...

my brain on E' = energy -runners high
I can also get them from the
F' word -Funny!
these things both give you a case of happy neurochemicals free!

here's are some funnies for the Irish!

Q. Why can't you borrow money from a leprechaun?

A. Because they're always a little short.

.

Q. Why do leprechauns have pots o'gold?

A. They like to "go" first class!

.

Q. How can you tell if an Irishman is having a good time?

A. He's Dublin over with laughter!

.

Q. Why did St. Patrick drive the snakes out of Ireland?

A. He couldn't afford plane fare.

Hello Rosebud
You couldn't have chosen a nicer name !
I am over 60 .. with few years of PD (God knows how long) .. I take dozen of supplements .. I try hard for exercise because at least it has it's own reward .. the only downside is time consumption ..it takes too long:
- after getting up : half hour breathing exercise followed by half hour yoga
- afternoon : 1/2 hour walk
- sunset : 1/2 hour yoga or tai chi followed by 20 mins of home cycling as hard as I can, followed by cold shower

I hope this gives you motivation ! you are much younger

Hi:

I usually exercise 6 days a week. My day starts with a walk along a forest path to a hilltop lodge. This is followed by a half hour exercise (low impact)which is led by a tape recording. Two days a week a physical trainer comes in and leads us in a more intensive half hour of exercise.

I don't feel I get enough exercise and would like some testimonials from those who have derived some identifiable benefit from exercise.

All the best,

Lloyd

Imark: at 60 your not much older than me, I just had my 57th B-day. The time element doesn't strike me as a downside if you consider the alternative. If I find a good gym it may even substitute for a social life. Some days I feel like I have no life anymore. Tena is quite correct, Fun/funny is a good chunk of the mental health equation.

I'm glad to hear Nikki is doing well. It helps if you were active before PD because you at least remember how good it felt, and you hope you can get that feeling back. When I was first diagnosed I met a girl who came out to the support group a couple of times. She had been diagnosed with PD by the Gods of the local Movement disorder clinic. She immedietly took up swimming every morning before she went off to her teaching job. A year later there were no more signs of PD. I've never seen her since. My guess is she is still swimming

I'm going to give this a try. My weapon of choice is probably going to be weight training and some form of cardio. I don't have a gift for patience which may be my biggest challange. Burkle, your program sounds pretty good, as I recall you've done a lot of hiking in your life. Can you still hike?

There HAS to be more of you that exercise....if not, perhaps thats why we are all here!!!! It's so much easier to be a couch potatoe. Unfortunatley for us, that is a literal transformation ...it is our future. I for one, do not want to look forward to sitting on the sidelines the rest of my life if I can help it!

I walk a mile nearly every day at lunch time plus walk to the sub shop to get my lunch. At work I also go out to the warehouse and help ship products, which are in flat boxes and weigh up to 20 pounds each.

At home I do a ton of walking all over, and I play the piano which is like aerobic exercise. Believe it or not there is plenty of movement in piano playing - a lot more than would be expected with the arms moving all over the place, the finger movement, the pedals, and the muscle control required to keep the volume where it should be. This might explain why there are so many concert pianists that lived close to the century mark. Rubenstein died at 108. Horowitz died at 88, Earl Wilde is still going strong at 93, and numerous others that I can't think of at the moment.

John

I am usually able to get in 30-45 minute walk 4-5 tmies a week...since i still work full time it's hard to do anything more, and my physicality is pretty much stretched to the limit with the above. Without it though, I feel pretty sluggish. Would like to do more light weights for my upper body but haven't found the stamina or strength lately!

The fatigue has been getting me too. I was out and about on the weekend, and I ended up with a day off from work today because I can't even move around. I feel SO tired I can't get out of my way. This is frustrating because I have mobility back, but I can't do what I want.

John

here's my take on it.
IF you are really out of shape consider going on a "Fitness" vacation. By this I mean take a couple of weeks off to do nothing but get back in to shape.

Exercise as much as you can and focus on cardio-vascular training. THis will get you through the worst of the "getting back into shape" blues.

then I am a big believer in joining a gym that is well equipped. I used to go at 4 or 5 in the morning, because going at the end of the day is too damned hard.
I have no answer for the "apathy factor" or dealing with debilitating pain like my frozen shoulders. I try to work around my shoulders. Til I get them repaired or replaced.