Happy 2023! Like many of you, I’m using the New Year as a jump start for getting back into some healthier habits.
I have three goals: eat better, exercise more regularly, and spend more time with my kids and family. These may seem really basic, but after living with Parkinson’s for fifteen years, I’ve found that they are the key to living well. If I’m not doing all three, things quickly get out of balance; symptoms progress; and I don’t feel like myself.
This past year I’ve struggled with symptom progression, including increased rigidity and tremor. While this is normal for this stage of Parkinson’s, I’ve always been a competitor. I want to do everything I can to keep doing the things I love, like traveling to watch my kids play sports or hanging out with friends.
I’ve always held the belief that you should “leave it all on the court,” and that’s the approach I’m taking to my health this year. In preparation for 2023, I spent time thinking about what I needed to do in order to eat better, exercise regularly, and spend time with the people I love. For me, the key to all three is getting my care team together, which includes my providers who I’m working with to find better approaches for medication management and a physical therapist who helps me with some of my symptoms like rigidity. My care team also includes my personal trainer who works with me to tailor an exercise program that supports my physical and mental health.
What about you? What are your goals? What will it take to achieve them? What support do you need to live your best life with Parkinson’s this year? Comment here or join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.
What other people in our community are saying about living well with Parkinson’s:
- @mgarratt5: “It’s okay to rest or go back to something when my body is more able to complete the task/exercise.”
- @sharonkishner: “Be grateful for what you have.”
- @debranne12: “Have a great support team for yourself and loved ones”
Brian’s Corner is sponsored by Amneal.
