During a regular visit to my neurologist this week, she and I had a conversation about exercise.
I explained that my exercise routine includes gym workouts, yoga, hikes, pickleball, biking, and going on walks.
I thought surely she would marvel at my expansive regimen and my commitment to keeping myself fit and healthy. But she simply said this:
“Do you enjoy it?”
We talked more about exercise throughout the exam, but it always came back to the same question ... Do I enjoy what I’ve chosen for exercise?
There are a lot of things not to enjoy about exercise.
For one, it takes motivation, and with Parkinson’s, a dearth of dopamine robs you of that. It also gets you sweaty, uses precious time, and often costs money. These obstacles can be hard to overcome.
But this is where the good doctor is right. Unless you find something that you actually like doing, you won’t continue with it. That’s why she kept asking the question.
On that topic, I just read a new book about how exercise can actually reduce Parkinson’s symptoms. It has lots of ideas for exercising. Click to see what else I learned.
Did you see the solar eclipse? I did (wow!), and on our drive to the “path of totality” in south-central Indiana, Mr. Unshakable and I stopped for a little hike. It’s scenic and accessible to people who may have some difficulty hiking. Check it out!