My Resolutions for Parkinson’s Are Exercise, Nutrition, Awareness
Let's think about how to make life with Parkinson's better for everyone
Congratulations! We made it to 2023! This is our year to turn our lives around.
It’s time for us to make our New Year’s resolutions. I challenge you to choose any number of aspects of life with Parkinson’s that you want to improve upon in the coming year. The three I am focusing on this year are exercise, nutrition, and Parkinson’s awareness.
Exercise is important for everyone, especially those with Parkinson’s, as it is the only known way to help slow the disease’s progression. Over the next year, I will work on getting some type of exercise every day for at least a half-hour.
I’ll try to mix it up with different types of exercise, from yoga to Pilates, and even perhaps weight training. I recently caught a sneak peak of a Parkinson’s documentary film called “It’s Just Parkinson’s,” about John Cullen, a man living with Parkinson’s who takes up powerlifting. He showed how weightlifting changed his life for the better.
Nutrition is another aspect of life I have chosen to work on. Currently, my diet isn’t the healthiest, which I know does my body no good. In the coming year, I will try to add more fruits and vegetables to my diet. The Parkinson’s Foundation recommends a diet that includes a variety of whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and protein-rich foods. You may also consider including nuts, olive oil, fish, and eggs to your diet for their beneficial fats.
A word of caution, though: Protein can have different effects on some Parkinson’s medications. For some people, medication taken with a high-protein meal may lead to more off periods and a narrower window of relief. Be sure to consult with your medical team before making any changes to your diet or medications.
The third resolution I chose is raising Parkinson’s awareness in my community. Many people don’t know what life with Parkinson’s entails. I want to be more of a voice in my community. This will involve sharing my story across multiple formats, such as social media, newspapers, and other outlets.
One thing I can do — and you can, too — is to write to my lawmakers, urging them to support legislation that helps Parkinson’s patients live better lives. A good time to do this is during Parkinson’s Awareness Month in April. We can tell our stories and let them know how their work affects our lives.
I hope my thoughts give you an idea of the various resolutions you can easily make to help you, not only this year, but also every year that follows. Just remember to stay focused on making a positive change in your life, and as always, #EmbracetheShake.
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.
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Mike
Samantha,
You are a great example of someone who will not give up the battle versus the culprit we call Parkinson’s. Exercise is critical in
symptom management. There are lots of new and different approaches. I have begun taking the probiotic Neuralli that has significantly helped my walking. Fortunately my ‘Shakes’ are minimal at this point but we all must embrace our symptoms. Sam, keep up the fine work. Blessings, Mike
W