The Importance of Staying Active

Are you familiar with those individuals who like to think they can quantify every aspect of their life and, through detailed data analysis, understand their own patterns and behaviors better*?  Well, I am not one of them.  I would prefer to keep most facets of my life in a light mist of anectdotal evidence and biased data skewed by my own warped perspective.  There is one area, admittedly, that I have always obsessed over: my workouts.

I've been using a Nike+ device to track my runs since 2007.  The graphs above give you a brief snapshot.  To put it gently in academic terms: "the data suggests that the subject's physical fitness level is inversely correlated with the progression of his Parkinson's disease."  To restate through the (hypothetical) eyes of retired NFL linebacker Ray Lewis, "stop being such a crybaby and get going!  Greatness waits for no man!"

There is much uncertainty that comes with Parkinson's disease but one thing is clear--exercise is a key component to managing symptoms (https://www.michaeljfox.org/understanding-parkinsons/living-with-pd/topic.php?exercise). It should be thought of like taking your medicine each day.  I understand that intellectually but applying this principle to everyday life is much more challenging.  I have a demanding job, a demanding wife, a demanding toddler.....are you seeing a pattern?  I'm "active" in the sense I walk all around campus, stretch, etc. but I am no longer going on 10 mile runs after two hours of tennis (I also have noticed my use of escalators/elevators has increased exponentially).

Part of the decrease in physical exertion simply has to do with becoming a gainfully employed, responsible member of society.  I no longer have time to surf online for hours for the perfect type of hair gel.  But another real factor is figuring out when I feel good enough to workout and perhaps more importantly, accepting that I can no longer compete at the level that I still expect of myself.

This is the hardest part for me----mental acceptance of my physical diminishment.  Like any athlete, I believe in not just the outcome but the process that allows you to achieve your goal.  It is the process that is becoming more challenging.  I'm certain I can still run 10 miles but the amount of training that it would take is triple what "pre-PD Bryan" would need.

As we move through the holiday season and into 2014, a goal I have is to stop judging my fitness on what I can no longer do and instead play to my strengths.  I'll be purchasing the newest iteration of the Nike+ tracking devices (I love data!) and I fully expect the next annual graph to begin to reverse the statistical trend.  As added motivation, it may be time to partner with Team Fox to host a 10-miler here in Ithaca.  

To quote one of my favorite motivators, UConn coach Kevin Ollie: "We're gonna take the stairs. Escalators are for cowards."

No more excuses--it is time to take the stairs again.

*Note: The social scientist in me loves this movement.  See http://quantifiedself.com/ for further information.