With the advent of spring comes longer days, warmth from the sun’s rays and for many the hopes of getting in better shape. This spring we also have the added hope of a return to normalcy after a year of living through the COVID-19 pandemic.

It’s been a trying year, hasn’t it? With the need for physical distancing also came the end of in-person trips to the gym and group exercise classes that many of you have worked hard to include in your daily routine. The physical benefits of exercise – and, equally as important, the social benefits – can be correlated to a person’s motivation to exercise.

I have read several articles suggesting people gained weight over the course of this pandemic, but I am not sure how to measure loneliness. Perhaps we can all agree that it, like our bellies, have ballooned.

Undoubtedly, after a lethargic year, it’s going to be a struggle to start exercising and for some, it’s not on their radar. Not exercising, poor diet and questionable sleep hygiene is a slippery slope, isn’t it? It’s interesting that the less exercise a person does, the more tired they are. Conversely, the more exercise a person does, the more energy a person has. It’s almost like a bank but with better return on your investment.

Starting over is not easy but anything worthwhile takes effort, doesn’t it?

How about we start on this journey together? If you are looking for safe, fun, Parkinson-focused exercise classes, feel free to check out a series of at-home workout routines I recorded last spring and summer.

For those of you that have other exercise plans, I would invite you to share them with us. Do you have any tips for motivation? Any ideas how to inspire the reluctant exerciser?

Let’s work on this together, living well… No Matter What!