So often when a person travels, has an illness or surgery, or experiences a family crisis, they take a little time off, intending to get back to class once things settle. But when their routine breaks and time goes by, apathy can set in. Apathy is a lack of motivation and interest in general. It’s not laziness, but rather a neurological symptom that can happen with PD. The biggest problem is it often keeps a person from attending their exercise classes. Targeted exercise classes are instrumental in slowing down the progression of Parkinson’s, but you must get to class and do the work, or your progression will happen faster.
After stopping exercise for a while, people find themselves feeling terrible and the cycle starts. Lack of exercise makes their symptoms worse, so they feel weak and unable to return to class. So many times, it is just a false message the brain is sending out. Our fighters know they must get back to class right away or they will get caught in this trap.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, 25 to 60 percent of people with PD experience apathy. It’s that common, so you must fight back!
This week I picked a simple exercise to do because I wanted to address this very common problem of apathy. This exercise targets the triceps, which are responsible for extension of the elbow and help you push your body up or away from things—like getting up from the floor or out of a chair. You can stand or sit to do it, but it does require you to get the band around your ribs, so you may need help with the positioning.
Watch this video to learn how to do this easy triceps exercise and take charge over apathy:
If you find yourself getting stuck in the apathy cycle, ask for help from your doctor and coach. Keep in mind that no one is judging you. When people have been gone a bit and call me to get back going, I am so happy to hear they want to start up again. It takes baby steps to get back if you’ve been gone a long time.
Don’t always believe the stories your brain is telling you. Your fellow fighters will tell you: they feel apathy now and then (or often), but they go to class anyway. And they always feel better afterwards!
Get back to class and wake up your brain. Your body needs to move and wants to heal itself—give it all you can to help it do so.
💜 Coach Kimberly
Ready to take back your fight?
Contact me to get started in Kimberly Berg’s Rebel Fit Club Parkinson’s Boxing classes today. We have online workouts, too!
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