{"id":1479,"date":"2026-06-10T14:03:58","date_gmt":"2026-06-10T14:03:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/askneurology.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/10\/parkinsons-perspectives-staying-active-with-parkinsons\/"},"modified":"2026-06-10T14:03:58","modified_gmt":"2026-06-10T14:03:58","slug":"parkinsons-perspectives-staying-active-with-parkinsons","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/askneurology.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/10\/parkinsons-perspectives-staying-active-with-parkinsons\/","title":{"rendered":"Parkinson\u2019s Perspectives: Staying Active with Parkinson\u2019s"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hear from People with Parkinson\u2019s About Staying Active<\/h2>\n

At the American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA), we know that some of the most powerful insights about Parkinson\u2019s disease (PD) come from the people affected by it. Their perspectives \u2013 the challenges, victories, and hard-won wisdom \u2013 can be incredibly valuable to those on a similar path and others who want to learn more about PD.<\/p>\n

With this knowledge, we were inspired to create Parkinson\u2019s Perspectives<\/em>, a blog series dedicated to sharing the real stories and lived experiences of people impacted by PD. For our first installment, we interviewed three people with young onset Parkinson\u2019s disease who shared their unique perspectives<\/a> on navigating PD at an earlier stage of life.<\/p>\n

This time, we spoke with three inspiring people who are committed to staying active despite the challenges PD presents. Below, each interviewee shares the activities they love most and how they continue to do them \u2013 through perseverance, emotional support, or necessary adjustments \u2013 even on the hard days.<\/p>\n

Note: Responses have been edited for clarity.<\/em><\/p>\n

Meet Our Interviewees<\/h3>\n
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Dan Ben-David <\/strong>has been living with PD symptoms for more than 20 years and was officially diagnosed in his early 50s. A father of two adult children, he lives in Woodstock, Georgia, with his wife.<\/p>\n

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Dennis Miles <\/strong>has been living with PD symptoms for more than five years and was officially diagnosed in his early 60s. He is the father of two adult children and lives in Monroe, Georgia, with his wife.<\/p>\n

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Diana Whited <\/strong>has been living with PD symptoms for over a decade and was officially diagnosed in her mid-60s. She is a mother of two and grandmother of five and lives in Des Moines, Iowa.<\/p>\n

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Staying Active in Daily Life<\/h2>\n

Q: What does \u201cstaying active\u201d mean to you, and how does it show up in your daily life?<\/h3>\n

Dan: <\/strong>To me, staying active means keeping my momentum. With Parkinson\u2019s, I\u2019ve had to accept that things are not always going to go my way, and that progress is not always a straight line. Sometimes it is one step forward and two or three steps back. So I try to set the bar high, but I also accept that some days the best I can do is take small steps forward. In daily life, staying active means staying engaged, staying hopeful, and continuing to make choices that help me feel like myself. I try not to let Parkinson\u2019s be the main story of my life. I choose my battles carefully, work around what my body is telling me, and keep moving in whatever way I can.<\/p>\n

Dennis: <\/strong>Staying active has been part of who I am for a long time. In junior high and high school, I played football and baseball, and I started weight training around age 15 \u2013 and that mindset has stayed with me ever since. Now that I\u2019m retired, staying active means keeping both my body and mind moving in a purposeful way. It gives structure to my day and helps me maintain a consistent routine. I lift weights about three days a week, do cardio through YMCA classes or similar programs another three days a week, and attend boxing classes at least once a week. I also have a home gym, which helps me stay on track when I can\u2019t get out. I usually plan to work out first thing in the morning because I know that if I delay it, it may not happen. Over time, exercise has simply become part of my day.<\/p>\n

Diana:<\/strong> Staying active means engaging in some sort of activity on a regular basis. These activities aren\u2019t limited to physical movement; engaging the mind and participating in social interactions are also important. Staying engaged is so important for maintaining quality of life and helping manage PD symptoms. I am intentional about staying active and try to plan a mix of activities each week, including physical activities such as cardio, strength, balance, and gait exercises, as well as cognitive exercises and social connection.<\/p>\n

Motivation and Balance<\/h2>\n

Q: What is the activity you love to do most? What keeps you coming back to that activity on days when it feels harder? When do you decide it\u2019s better to rest instead?<\/h3>\n

Dan: <\/strong>Cycling is the activity I love most. I\u2019ve been an athlete my whole life \u2013 running, swimming, surfing \u2013 but cycling is the activity that still gives me the best combination of movement, challenge, joy, and connection. I keep coming back because cycling makes me feel alive. It gives me goals, it gets me outside, and it connects me with other riders. Being part of a cycling group has been incredibly meaningful because I\u2019m not just \u201ca person with Parkinson\u2019s\u201d there. I\u2019m part of a community of cyclists, and that sense of belonging keeps me going on the harder days.<\/p>\n

I decide to rest when pushing through would do more harm than good. I\u2019ve had injuries, surgeries, and setbacks, so I\u2019ve learned that staying active also means being strategic. Rest is not quitting. Sometimes it is what allows me to come back.<\/p>\n

Dennis: <\/strong>Weight training is the activity I\u2019ve loved the longest. I\u2019ve always been active through sports and exercise, but weightlifting is something I\u2019ve consistently come back to because it gives me a sense of strength, control, and identity that I don\u2019t want to lose.<\/p>\n

What keeps me coming back is knowing how much better I feel afterward, both physically and mentally. It also helps that lifting has become part of who I am. I don\u2019t have to talk myself into it every time \u2013 it\u2019s just something I do. That said, I\u2019ve also learned that discipline doesn\u2019t always mean pushing through. Some days, the smarter choice is to back off, do less, or rest completely. I try to pay attention to what my body is telling me and think long term. The goal isn\u2019t to prove something in one workout \u2013 it\u2019s to keep moving consistently over time.<\/p>\n

Diana: <\/strong>My favorite activity is walking \u2013 or hiking, if possible. I love being outdoors and exploring new places. Since my diagnosis, I\u2019ve hiked the Appalachian Trail (70 miles in Georgia over seven days), the Grand Canyon, Big Bend National Park, Glacier National Park, Rocky Mountain National Park, the Canadian Rockies, and the Pyrenees in Spain.<\/p>\n

On days when I don\u2019t feel like I have the energy, I remind myself of the sense of accomplishment I usually feel afterward. Sometimes I make it a competition with myself \u2013 seeing how far I can go or how many steps I can take in a day. And sometimes Parkinson\u2019s wins, and I give myself permission to modify my plans or take the day off. I may do a shorter hike or choose a less strenuous route, but I still try to stay connected to the activity. I find it\u2019s easier to keep going when I\u2019ve made plans to be active with friends.<\/p>\n

Overcoming Barriers to Staying Active<\/h2>\n

Q: What kinds of challenges does Parkinson\u2019s create for you when you\u2019re trying to stay active, and how do you navigate them? Have you had to make any changes or adjustments in order to stay active?<\/h3>\n

Dan: <\/strong>Parkinson\u2019s has affected my movement, coordination, stamina, and timing. At different points, I\u2019ve had trouble holding onto handlebars, controlling my legs, typing, walking, and swimming. Medication timing also matters. If I\u2019m not in the right \u201con\u201d state, symptoms can start to interfere.<\/p>\n

I navigate these challenges by adapting instead of stopping. I track my progress, pay attention to what my body can handle, and adjust my expectations when I need to. I\u2019ve also had to work around orthopedic issues, including shoulder problems, a collarbone injury, and knee surgeries, so I choose lower-impact options that are more sustainable for me. Getting an e-bike was one important adjustment because it helped me keep riding with friends, stay connected to the cycling community, and enjoy the activity without turning every ride into a battle.<\/p>\n

A major turning point for me was having deep brain stimulation<\/a> (DBS) surgery nine years ago. DBS has helped me tremendously and, in many ways, gave me a second chance. It has allowed me to stay more active, keep doing the things I love, and continue pushing myself in ways that might not have been possible otherwise.<\/p>\n

The biggest adjustment has been learning that I may not be as fast or as strong as I once was, but effort still counts. I may have to change the pace, the equipment, or the plan, but I keep looking for a way to stay in the game.<\/p>\n

Dennis:<\/strong> Parkinson\u2019s makes staying active more unpredictable. My biggest challenges are stiffness, fatigue, and brain fog. I can feel fine when I wake up, and then later in the day I may feel completely drained or foggy. I call those \u201csinking spells,\u201d and they can make it hard to know what kind of day I\u2019m going to have. Because of that, I\u2019ve had to train smarter. I use lighter weights, rely more on machines, and focus on controlled yet explosive movements instead of max-effort lifting. I\u2019m more intentional about balancing effort and recovery. I also try to work out earlier in the day before fatigue builds up. If I can\u2019t make it to the gym, I use my home gym instead.<\/p>\n

Diana: <\/strong>Parkinson\u2019s has slowed my pace in many activities, especially walking and hiking. I tire more easily. I used to regularly walk 10Ks; now, most of the time, I do about 5Ks. This has been a challenge, and I\u2019ve had to make adjustments. I plan more carefully so I have the energy for the things I value most, and I\u2019ve learned to prioritize. I\u2019ve also let go of some activities or made them less demanding. When I travel for hikes, I choose slower-paced trips and lower elevations because I don\u2019t tolerate altitude as well as I used to. I also continue to push myself, but I try to be thoughtful about it. For me, it\u2019s about striking a balance between what I want to do and what my body will allow me to do. I continue to gently push that boundary.<\/p>\n

The Value of Support Systems<\/h2>\n

Q: How do the people around you\u2014family, friends, or peers\u2014support or influence your ability to stay active?<\/h3>\n

Dan: <\/strong>It takes a village. My wife is my biggest support \u2013 she inspires me to fight and be the best I can be. Friends have trained with me, joined me for events, tricked me into longer rides when I needed the push, and welcomed me into cycling groups. Riding with others \u2013 both people with PD and people without it \u2013 revived my competitive instinct and helped me feel like part of a normal community, not just someone with a disease.<\/p>\n

Dennis:<\/strong> My wife has been a huge source of encouragement. She understands that exercise is something I need to do and respects the routine I\u2019ve built. My daughters are also in my corner, and it helps knowing my family understands what I\u2019m dealing with.<\/p>\n

A big part of my motivation also comes from the people I\u2019ve met through Parkinson\u2019s exercise groups. Being around others who are going through similar challenges makes a huge difference. There\u2019s an understanding there that you don\u2019t always have to explain. We encourage each other, check in on each other, and help keep each other accountable.<\/p>\n

Diana: <\/strong>My children have been supportive since day one. They continue to cheer me on and tell me how proud they are that I stay active. I also participate in a walking club where we combine exercise with friendship and social connection. We have monthly organized walks, and we also travel together for walking trips. The motto is \u201cfun, fitness, and friendship,\u201d and we truly support one another.<\/p>\n

Advice for Staying Active with Parkinson\u2019s<\/h2>\n

Q: What would you want other people with Parkinson\u2019s to know about staying active, especially if they\u2019re unsure where to begin?<\/h3>\n

Dan: <\/strong>Start with baby steps. Set the bar high, but don\u2019t expect everything to go your way. There will be setbacks \u2013 sometimes one step forward and two or three steps back \u2013 but the effort counts. Choose something you enjoy, something sustainable, and something that fits your body and your risk tolerance. You don\u2019t have to be a hero; you just have to keep fighting the good fight and keep moving in whatever way you can.<\/p>\n

Dennis:<\/strong> I\u2019d tell people to start where they are, not where they used to be. You don\u2019t have to do anything extreme \u2013 just begin moving and build consistency over time. Staying active has made a huge difference for me. I truly believe that if I hadn\u2019t kept exercising over the last several years, I\u2019d be in much worse shape today. Exercise doesn\u2019t cure Parkinson\u2019s, but it helps me keep doing the things I want to do. I also think strength training is especially important. It helps with balance, mobility, and everyday tasks like getting up from a chair or moving around more easily. Cardio matters too, but strength training has been just as important for me.<\/p>\n

Most importantly, learn to adapt. You may not do things the same way you used to, but that doesn\u2019t mean you stop doing them. And if you can find a group \u2013 whether it\u2019s boxing, a gym class, or other people with Parkinson\u2019s \u2013 it makes staying active much easier.<\/p>\n

Diana: <\/strong>I often tell people with PD how important it is to stay active to potentially slow disease progression. I know it\u2019s been easier for me because I was already active before my diagnosis, but I am more intentional now and incorporate more variety into my routine. For those who are not currently active, I would suggest starting with something you think you might enjoy \u2013 or at least not dislike \u2013 and taking it slowly. If possible, find a friend or work with a trainer. Doing anything is always easier with company. As you build confidence, gradually add more activities. APDA is also great resources for finding exercise programs and support in your area. Most importantly, remember that you don\u2019t have to do this alone\u2014and that even small steps count.<\/p>\n

Gratitude & Optimism<\/h2>\n

We are so grateful to Dan, Dennis, and Diana for sharing their insights and perspectives. Their openness and generosity in sharing their stories reminds us that while PD brings real challenges, it can also reveal resilience in powerful ways.<\/p>\n

Tips & Takeaways<\/h2>\n