Q: What Motivates You To Exercise? A: My caregiver getting up and clanking in the kitchen–otherwise I might stay in bed longer. -Mr. Short

Jul 15, 2023

We asked our community what motivates them to exercise. Here’s what they said:

  • My caregiver getting up and clanking around in the kitchen — otherwise I might stay in bed longer.
  • I want to keep Parkinson symptoms “under arrest” and exercise does that.
  • Imagining the folded alpha synuclein getting cleaned out of my brain as when I am at 80% of my max HR.
  • How much younger and confident I feel when I exercise.
  • It is one thing I can do to slow the progression of PD.
  • I have fewer PD symptoms when I exercise.
  • At times exercise works more effectively than the medication!
  • The understanding that if I don’t try hard, I’ll be overtaken by Parkie’s.
  • My deceased mother who had PD for 25 years and showed me we can live with PD with grace and dignity.
  • Exercise reduces my fear of the effects of PD on my future.
  • I am aiming for 3 hours of structured exercise per day, with at least 60 minutes of Fitbit active minutes in a day.
  • Exercise is the only neuroprotective thing I can actively do for myself, keeps me at it.
  • On the days I exercise I am more likely to be upbeat, fun to be around, less stressed, more relaxed.
  • I will add that your humor and the sense of community from both classes works wonders. Proverbs from the Old Testament says, “A cheerful heart is good medicine.”
  • Find a sport or activity that you enjoy doing. This is a win/win for you. You get the metabolic benefits from exercising and you have no trouble doing the exercise because you enjoy that sort of activity.
  • I always feel a sense of accomplishment after attending a class or just taking a walk.
  • I try to listen to some fun, upbeat music-without that I’m dead meat.
  • If I really put forth good effort, I am rewarded with a better night’s sleep.

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In 2017, PD-Connect was one of only 14 nationwide recipients of a grant from the National Parkinson’s Foundation to expand its High-Intensity Exercise Classes. It also formed an inaugural team (formerly Team NeuroBlasters) and earned 2nd place in the Friends and Family Team category for raising the most funds for the National Parkinson’s Foundation MOVING DAY.

Starting in 2018, MarinLink has partnered with PD-Connect to serve as its fiscal sponsor, signaling its non-profit status as well as its intention to grow. In order to keep offering free classes for people with Parkinson’s through PD-Connect, all donations are welcome.

We are a non-profit organization. All donations are 501(c)(3) Tax-deductible.

If you would like to mail your donation, please send a check payable to:  
PD-Connect P.O. Box 398, Corte Madera, CA 94976
Note: Larger one-time gifts, please pay by check, if possible.

PD-Connect is a fiscally sponsored project of MarinLink, a California non-profit corporation exempt from federal tax under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Service #20-0879422.