What We Do
Through a carefully balanced blend of exercise, information sharing and discussion you will develop a personal plan to make changes to your everyday life in order to live well with the condition. What makes Fighting Fit different is its focus on the importance of exercise, the tactics to live your best life and the ability to share experience with like-minded people. It also provides opportunities to try out different types of exercise particularly suited to people with Parkinson’s and meet like minded people in a relaxed setting.
The programme is facilitated by active people living with Parkinson’s and delivered by a range of multi-disciplinary experts.
Over two full days from Friday lunchtime to Sunday afternoon the programme comprises a variety of exercise and other stimulating activities and discussions delivered in a supportive environment.
We will encourage you to experiment with exercise reinforcing its importance as medication. We will share information, tips and tricks specifically addressing the issues associated with living with Parkinson’s.
You will be able to spend time reflecting on things and have the space to consider how best to take new ideas forward in your life.
Throughout the programme you will be provided signposting to information for you to read and use when you get back home and at the end of the programme you will develop a personal plan for future review and re-assessment. You can download a typical programme by clicking on the button below.
Fighting Fit Programme
Below we provide details of a typical programme to give you an idea of the subjects and areas we cover. For those of you viewing on a widescreen, laptop of desktop display you can see it as a table. If you are using a smart phone or a tablet please click on the download programme button so you can see the detail
Day One
| Topic | Concept |
|---|---|
Day One |
|
| Introductions | Welcome |
| Objectives and agenda | Outline of programme and ‘house rules’ |
| Getting to know each other |
‘Speed dating’ – short conversations with others to ‘break the ice’. |
|
Hopes and fears – Part I |
Sharing expectations and concerns about the weekend. |
| Self-help – what’s out there? |
Update on courses, papers, internet sites about Parkinson’s that we have uncovered in setting up this programme. |
| Exercise taster session: | First of four exercise taster sessions e.g. nordic walking, boxercise, yoga, PD Power, circuits etc. |
| Round up – day one | |
| Social: Dancing for all | A fun end to the day |
| Dinner |
Day Two
| Topic | Concept |
|---|---|
Day Two |
|
| Introduction to Day Two | |
| Exercise and neuroplasticity | Introductory talk about the importance of exercise as medication |
| Exercise taster session | Second of four exercise taster sessions e.g. nordic walking, boxercise, yoga, PD Power, circuits etc. |
|
You are what you eat |
Presentation and discussion about nutrition, diet and supplements |
| Exercise taster session | Third of four exercise taster sessions e.g. nordic walking, boxercise, yoga, PD Power, circuits etc. |
| Lunch | |
|
Living your best life
|
Developing tactics to support everyday life. Covering physical challenges such as: · Speech and writing · Movement and dexterity · Expression (facial and body language) · Strength and tiredness. …. and mental challenges such as: · Confidence · Mental agility · Forgetfulness. |
| Exercise taster session | Clock Yourself |
| Psychological wellbeing and relationships | Interactive presentation and discussion helping people to overcome apathy, anxiety and reduce stress |
| Round Up – Day Two | Interactive discussion and feedback |
| Social: Singing for all | A fun end to another day |
Day Three
| Topic | Concept |
|---|---|
Day Three |
|
|
Introduction to Day Three |
|
|
Living well with Parkinson’s |
Presentation and interactive discussion by PD Nurse about medication and treatments |
|
Exercise taster session |
Sit to stand |
|
Research – the ‘Hope List’ |
Information sharing about international research activity |
|
Exercise taster session |
Fourth of four exercise taster sessions e.g. nordic walking, boxercise, yoga, PD Power, circuits etc. |
|
Lunch |
|
|
‘It’s all about me’ |
Motivational video |
|
Hopes and fears – Part II |
Discussion of key points from day one |
|
My personal planning |
Developing a personal action plan for the future |
|
Programme feedback |
Participants complete survey about the overall programme. |
|
Close and depart |
|
Next: Programme Details