My daily routines are getting a much-needed spring cleanup

I love a good routine. Every morning, I have a cup of tea and a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast, and I’ve been doing that for at least 10 years. It’s super satisfying, and I see no reason to change it.

Every night, my husband, John, and I watch “Jeopardy!” and yell answers at the TV as if host Ken Jennings can hear us. Answering a few of the questions is not only fun, but it also exercises my brain — at least, that’s what I tell myself. It’s just another part of my routine that I don’t want to change.

Change can be a good challenge, however, and this spring, I took control of my Parkinson’s routines. After talking with my doctor, I made some small but impactful adjustments to my exercise regimen, diet, medications, and supplements, empowering myself in the process.

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February 28, 2025 Columns by Christine Scheer

A new exercise class helps keep my Parkinson’s symptoms in check

Switching up my exercise routine

As regular readers of my column will know, I like to exercise and have been committed to it since my diagnosis in 2015. I have friends in my classes, and I can have fun and feel relaxed. I don’t worry about my Parkinson’s.

I’ve read that exercise can slow down, stop, and possibly even reverse Parkinson’s disease progression, but I didn’t know the details. How often and for how long should I exercise? How hard do I need to be working?

I finally opened my computer one Sunday afternoon and got some answers. I realized I’d have to make some changes to my exercise routine because, guess what? I wasn’t working hard enough.

According to the Parkinson’s Foundation, those of us with the condition should aim for 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise per week. For me, that means maintaining a heart rate of 110-133 beats per minute for two and a half hours each week (five 30-minute sessions).

I hadn’t done any spin classes or running for several months (my hips were too sore; I know — excuses!), so my heart rate hadn’t been challenged. That needed to change because my symptoms were progressing faster than ever before, and I needed to put on the brakes.

I bought myself an Apple Watch to track my heart rate, which has been helpful. Another way to track progress is with the rate of perceived exertion. If you can sing or comfortably converse, you’re probably not working hard enough. But if you can talk only in three-to-five-word sentences, you’re probably meeting your heart rate goal.

At the end of the day, I made a tough decision to leave an exercise class that wasn’t meeting my needs. But now, six weeks later, I’m starting to see positive results with my new regimen. It gives me hope and reassures me that I made the right decision.

Other changes

What else can I do aside from exercise to ease my symptoms? Some evidence suggests that a plant-based, Mediterranean diet could be beneficial. That means a recommended eight to 10 servings of fruits and vegetables each day! Realistically, I’m probably setting myself up for failure if I say I’ll do it, but with the weather improving and summer around the corner, local produce will be more readily available, so I think I’m ready to commit. I need to do something to improve my diet.

Also, I really need to drink more water. Hydration is crucial for people with Parkinson’s for a variety of reasons.

Regarding medications, I’ve been trying so darn hard to take my levodopa/carbidopa at the same time each day. It isn’t difficult, especially if I set an alarm on my phone. As a result, I’ve had way less “off” time. But I’ve had to move things around because a new cholesterol medication was added to the mix. Sigh.

And finally, I’ve switched from one probiotic to another. The probiotic I dropped is touted as good for brain health in people with Parkinson’s, and it costs a small fortune. I’ve been taking it for a year now, waiting to feel miraculously better. I really wanted to feel good! After a year, though, nothing had changed, and finally I had to face the truth: This probiotic wasn’t working for me. At first, like everything, this change stressed me out, but when I thought of the hundreds of dollars I was going to save each month by switching, well, let’s just say — hello, Apple Watch!

With all these changes, I’m determined to give Parkinson’s a run for its money. I hope my journey inspires you to take control of your health and make any necessary changes — after talking with your doctor, of course!

Note: Parkinson’s News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Parkinson’s News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Parkinson’s disease.