Alan Alda, 83, Opens Up About the ‘Crazy’ Exercise That Helps with His Parkinson’s Diagnosis

Image: AlanAlda.com/Alan Alda – 2016 Double Helix Medal Recipient)

Alan Alda isn’t letting his Parkinson’s disease diagnosis hold him back from pursuing everything life has to offer.

The veteran actor, widely known for his leading role of Hawkeye Pierce on M*A*S*H, appeared on the Today show on Wednesday, when he gave an update to audiences about his battle with the disease — and why he feels “like a kid” at the age of 83.

“I’m good,” Alda said on the NBC morning news show. “I shake a little, but I’m good.”

To maintain an active lifestyle and help hold back the progression of Parkinson’s, the star said that he regularly exercises.

“I work out. You can hold back the progress if you do a lot of specific exercises. So I do a lot of crazy things,” he shared.

Among the physical activities that Alda enjoys is boxing, juggling, tennis, swimming, marching and bicycle riding.

A unique one that he regularly does? “I march to [John Philip] Sousa music,” he said with a smile. “A lot of Sousa music going on all the time in my house.”

In July 2018, Alda appeared on CBS This Morning, where he revealed he was diagnosed with the neurodegenerative disorder three and a half years prior.

Since he revealed his diagnosis more than a year ago, Alda said he is feeling “good.”

“I work so hard. But I guess that’s part of it. I feel like a kid because I’m working so hard,” said the actor, who stars in the upcoming film Marriage Story.

And those who work with Alda in his office have even dubbed him “the world’s oldest millennial.”

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