My real job - exercise

Since I was the original "couch potato," it's amazing how much I exercise.  But once you get into the habit it's hard to quit.  Since exercise seems to be neuro-protective and may slow PD progression, this getting into the habit is a win-win. 

Typical day:

30 minutes on the treadmill working on stride and gait.  I also try to push myself cardio-wise, but since my right foot isn't quite cooperative, I don't try to be too speedy.  I've created a channel on Pandora that's mostly the right tempo (originally used it for boxing practice).  I can hear if I'm stepping heel-toe and if I start dragging my feet.  My wonderful husband set up an old computer and monitor so that I can watch videos (youtube has lots of videos that work with treadmills).  I'm always dealing with a little cognitive dissonance - I would not be able to walk down the rim trail on the Grand Canyon which is very bumpy - but the difference between what I see and what I feel forces me to focus, so it's a good thing.  Not boring at all, thanks to the videos.  My stride is longer and stronger, and I find that I'm leaving my cane places because I forget it!

Unless I have boxing, 30 minutes on the NuStep, an elliptical, but a recumbent elliptical, so it's not hard on your knees.  I used this in my old gym and love it.  I can see the youtube videos from the NuStep so I'm not bored.  I can just use my feet, just use my arms, or use both.  This is my serious cardio workout for the day.  Pricey but worth every dime.

Voice and swallow exercises 2-3 times a day, usually in the car.  Why the car?  Because the voice exercises make my dog howl (maybe he thinks I'm in pain).

Leg strengthening exercises like squats that I got from my PT.  I do these throughout the day, when I'm waiting for the dog to pee, brushing my teeth, and so on.

Balance that includes some Tai Chi - 3-4 times a week.  I have a DVD (Jane Adams - Balance & Strength Exercises for Seniors).

Rock Steady Boxing - 3 times a week.  This is exercise, support, friendship, and sweat.  Favorite times of the week.

When I stop work in June, I hope to add dance, maybe a Tai Chi class, maybe a water movements class.

NuStep image from Amazon.com.

Rock Steady Camaraderie

I really miss my Rock Steady buddies.  Home with the flu, I don’t just miss the exercise (and wonder when I will be able to get back to it).  I miss the people.  The coaches who work us hard and then work us hard some more.  The volunteers who encourage us, and help us improve our exercise or boxing technique, and keep us from falling over.

But most of all the other boxers.  We give each other encouragement and moral support.  But we’re more.  We’re friends.  We understand better even than our care partners what we’re going through.  What we’ve faced and what we’re facing.  We care about each other.  When somebody isn’t there, they’re missed.  Only here would we be relieved to hear that it’s “only” a back problem, or “only” a knee problem, and not unexpected progression of PD.  We watch each other get a little better.  We watch each other get a little worse.  We see and participate in struggle, overcoming, persistence, heart.

A special word for the caregivers, who come day after day, week after week, often because the boxer can’t drive any more, but also for the support and community.  Special people.

I came for the exercise, and I love that (and people who know me probably still find that astonishing).  But the heart of Rock Steady is the people.  The heart.

Dedicated to the boxers, coaches, volunteers, and caregivers at Rock Steady Boxing, at Squared Circle Studio in Deep River, CT, USA.