My Mom Has Parkinson’s — And How That Impacts My Approach with Autoimmune
The Real Reason I Work Out
My mom has Parkinson’s.
Watching how it has reshaped her life (and my father’s life) is the single biggest reason I exercise as much as I do. I got into it a couple of years ago when they last visited.
Mom and Dad celebrating Mom’s Birthday earlier this year.
If you have a loved one dealing with a chronic disease, you know what I’m talking about. Especially with something like Parkinson’s, where there’s no cure and the best you can do is manage the symptoms. And the hardest part? These diseases don’t always look the same — even with the same diagnosis, they can manifest so differently from person to person.
What You’ll Take Away From This Post
How my mom’s Parkinson’s reframed my approach to health
Why “internal motivation” is a myth — and what actually works
The deposits vs. withdrawals framework I use for fitness
How living with autoimmune shaped my non-negotiables
Simple ways to start making deposits today (and stick with them)
Motivation Isn’t Magic
People assume you have to be “internally motivated” to get up at 6 a.m. and lift weights. I’m not. Some days I’d rather stay in bed. I don’t always love strength training. But when I think about my mom — about her balance being compromised, about the way every trip now falls on my dad to plan down to the smallest detail — that’s what gets me moving.
We’ve been sold the myth that exercise motivation is something you either have or don’t. That’s not how it works. Real motivation is often borrowed — from fear, from love, from the future you hope to protect.
That’s why I don’t rely on motivation alone. I rely on structure and accountability to keep me consistent — because deposits only matter if you keep making them.
For me, it’s Parkinson’s. I know I can’t guarantee I’ll avoid it. But I also know there’s research showing regular movement can help stave off symptoms and build resilience. So when I lift weights or drag myself onto the bike, I’m making a choice: to give my future self a little more buffer, a little more time.
Autoimmune Conditions and Parkinson’s
I already live with three autoimmune conditions of my own (you can read more about them here). They were my first wake-up call — the reason I started taking fitness and taking care of myself seriously years ago. Exercise, nutrition, and rest became non-negotiables because I saw firsthand how much worse my symptoms got when I didn’t prioritize them.
But my mom’s Parkinson’s is different. Watching how it limits her balance, mobility, and independence adds a layer of urgency.
“Autoimmune disease taught me how to take care of myself. Parkinson’s motivates me to never stop.”
There’s research showing links between autoimmune conditions, inflammation, and a slightly higher risk of Parkinson’s. But even without the studies, I can see the pattern: when your body is always under attack, it wears down faster. And that’s what keeps me moving.
Deposits and Withdrawals
Here’s how I think about it: every workout is a deposit in the bank.
Illness, injury, aging — those are the withdrawals. None of us get out of life without paying those bills. The question is whether we’ll have enough in the account when the time comes.
My mom didn’t grow up in a world where women were told to strength train. She didn’t have the same information or emphasis on prevention that we do now. I do. And that gap is what pushes me — because I can’t ignore what I know.
The Cost of Limitations
This isn’t abstract. It’s daily life.
We “gotcha’ed” a puppy almost 8 weeks ago named Truffle. You MAY have read about his arrival HERE. Or HERE (ahem). Oh - HERE too.
Truffle and me post lifting sesh.
My parents love dogs — they’re the reason I grew up with them in the first place. Dogs were always part of our family rhythm: long walks, the sound of paws on the floor, the comfort of having one curled up by your side. Nothing would make me happier than having my parents come out and meet Truffle, to pass that same joy on to her.
But travel is exhausting for my mom. Even with wheelchairs, car services, and my sister’s incredible help, it all falls on my dad. And the truth is, it’s unlikely they’ll make the trip. It’s a small thing in the scheme of Parkinson’s — a visit with a puppy — but it feels big, because it’s one more thread of connection that health has quietly cut.
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My in-laws want to visit their grandchild at college, but mobility makes that trip daunting too. These are the real costs of health limitations: not just what happens inside your body, but what you miss outside of it — the moments, the connections, the experiences.
What This Means for Us
I can’t control everything. Neither can you. But I do know this: I don’t want to miss out on the little things later — the way my parents are missing Truffle now. That’s why I put in the deposits today. Not for perfection, not for show — but for the chance at more moments with the people (and pets) I love.
So I’ll ask you: Will your 70-year-old self thank you for the deposits you’re making today?
Motivation runs out. Life gets busy. But every workout is still a deposit in your future.
That’s why I created Micro-Accountability — a system built to keep you consistent when willpower fades. It’s not about gimmicks or perfection. It’s about showing up, one deposit at a time, so your future self — and your family — will thank you.
👉 Ready to start making deposits instead of excuses?
