That is a lot to cover so let’s get right to it.
Great news. When I launched this blog I did so hoping to
share my experience with Parkinson’s disease with someone who could benefit
from what I learned over 14 years of trying to reduce symptoms by trial and
error. I had heard about three people who had recently been diagnosed with Parkinson’s
and were given ridiculous medical advice from their non-Parkinson doctors.. Advice
like there is no cure and there is nothing you can do. This got me so angry and
it motivated me to write a blog so that everyone who read it would understand a
whole lot more than the doctors treating these
three poor victims of bad medicine. In an early posting I wrote that if
I could have a positive affect on just one person, I would be happy. This week,
I found out that at least two people with PD are going to try to follow what I have
found to work for me. I will not identify anyone (if you have followed me you
know that I do not name names) so they can use my program unfettered. I will begin their program with at least one
or two blogs a week that detail a specific action on exercising, resting, stress relieving, taking
medications, dieting, hydrating, concentrating and clear thinking; not to
mention preparing for the worst but expecting the best. I will also offer
advice for all readers that you can use to improve your strength and physique.
I’m pretty sure that everyone who follows my advice will benefit. If not, you
will get your money back. I promise. The rest of the blogs will continue with
what it’s like to have Parkinson’s, on a personal level. And, of course, you
will have to tolerate my sarcasm, absurdities and strange sense of humor along with my lack of
respect for conventional thinking and authority. Oh, and don’t forget my
photography, which is the main passion in my life.
I will continue with stressing exercise as the base upon
which Parkinson’s must be challenged. You cannot underestimate the need to keep
physically strong and keep muscles from atrophying. Even if all you do is slow
down the rate at which atrophy occurs, it is what I have found is most obvious
and visible element of any anti-Parkinson’s program, therefor the most
important psychologically.. I will offer still photos that will focus on
specific muscles that are important in movement and balance.
In an anti-Parkinson’s exercise program, muscles, whether
they be yours, mine or someone else’s, should not be hidden beneath a tee-shirt
or gym clothes while exercising. You want to focus on what needs improvement
and relate hard work with muscle size and shape. I find a great deal of
motivation from watching my muscles flex when working out and beat back
Parkinson’s for one more day. Try this bit of psychology and see if it works
for you. If you can work out at home or in a private spot, exercise without
clothes, or try wearing a bathing suit at your gym.. If anyone objects, tell them
I approved it as part of your anti-Parkinson’s exercise program. If anyone
still objects, suggest that they get a life. Then find a new gym. At first you
will feel self-conscious, but you will eventually get familiar with those all
important muscles and notice that your exercise program is working. This will
also help you identify where atrophy is sneaking up on you and where you need
to focus. Just yesterday, I noticed that my biceps have shrunk (again), so
I’ll focus more work there. This
will keep you exercising. The motivational benefits are amazing.
Before we start specific exercises, I ask that you talk to
your doctor about how to approach a new exercise program specifically for
resisting Parkinson’s. I plan to build up to an intense program but it will
take weeks to reach a level where you see tangible results because we need to
get you up to a base level. If the doctor isn’t supportive of exercise. Find a
new doctor. That’s not a joke. Do it.
For the next two weeks, your assignment is to do aerobic
activity each day (no days off) that causes you to sweat and breath harder than
normal. Start with an easy paced 7 to 10 minutes and add 2 minutes each day so
that at the end of 2 weeks you will have 35 to 38 minutes. Then
back it down to 20 minutes a day but at a slightly higher pace. Any type of
aerobic activity will work. I either ride a recumbent bike or use an elliptical
trainer. You can also jog, walk as fast as you can (with or without your cane
or walker), bicycle, swim the English Channel,, climb Mount Everest, etc. Do
something you will like. Yes, sex will qualify as aerobic but only if it last
for 25 minutes at high intensity. (If you can do that consistently, you
probably don’t have Parkinson’s disease and you should write your own blog on
how to do that.)
Be well.
JP
Photo is another view of the covered bridge outside of Kingston, NY.
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| Bridge in Kingston, NY |
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