As someone with Parkinson’s disease, exercise is a crucial part of my routine. It helps ease symptoms like stiffness and boosts my mood. Before COVID-19, I attended two exercise classes a week. I also walked three or four days a week for an hour at a nearby mall and lifted weights at home. I especially enjoyed the exercise classes, which were personalized and supportive, and part of my social life.

Everything about this virus—the disproportionately disastrous outcomes for the elderly with underlying conditions and the general low level of preparedness in our society—increased my anxiety and depression. From experience, I know that anxiety and depression worsen my symptoms and increase feelings of apathy. To reduce my risk of exposure, I went into self-isolation for 10 days. During that time, I found the couch very attractive and apathy a very addictive companion.

My wife, who is also my caregiver, does her best to keep me motivated, especially when I’m feeling apathetic or depressed. Her most recent tactic has been to tap into my competitive urges. She has challenged me to get myself into the best physical and mental shape possible. The benefits are manifold: I may have fewer symptoms and setbacks, and if I do contract the virus, I may have a better chance at fighting it.

Here are some ways I’ve met my wife’s challenge and the results I’ve seen over the past month:

Goal: Increase muscle mass
Action: When lifting weights, increase the number of repetitions and sets. Add biceps curls, wrist exercises, triceps curls, and hammer curls five times a week. I have a limited number of weights in my weight set so I will have to improvise as I increase the weight.
Results: Increased muscle mass 

Goal: Take 10,000 steps a day to increase my cardio fitness and leg strength.
Action: Count steps every day all day, both inside and out. The weather in Colorado Springs hasn’t been ideal for walking outside and walking inside day after day is mind-numbingly boring.
Results: I started at 3,000 a day and can now do 10,000 every other day. Still, walking may not be for me. I’m bored and have minor hip, knee, and foot pain.

Goal: Start doing PD-specific exercise classes.
Action: First, I tried to do my class exercises alone, but I was sloppy and inconsistent. Eventually, I stopped doing them. When my wife suggested we look online, we stumbled on a site with plenty of content and excellent instructors, but between my poor balance and slow movements, I couldn’t keep up and stood little chance of improving enough to do the simple routines correctly. I was discouraged and about to give up when I learned that my Parkinson’s classes were available online and on YouTube.
Results: The videos helped correct my foot motions.

Goal: Incorporate a social element.
Action: Participate in a weekly video conference call coordinated by the Center for Active Living in Colorado Springs with instructors, interns, and other people with Parkinson’s disease. I get to see familiar and friendly faces and talk about almost anything. I’ve also started circulating amusing cartoons or texts that might make people laugh.
Results: With the weights, steps, classes, and video conference calls, I’m no longer dwelling on the negative aspects of my current circumstances.

Phil Horton was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2014. He lives in Colorado Springs with his wife, Judy, where he is an advocate for people with Parkinson’s. He also loves to write and camp.

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COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and Neurologic Disease Resource Center