Friends,
Welcome Dr Kate Kern!
t is so exciting knowing that Dr Kate thinks so much about us and our mission that she would dedicate her career to us. Dr Kate is very passionate about helping us get MS figured out at a much higher level, learning a lot while doing it and sharing her expertise and love with us. We are fortunate and blessed to have her join us on a full-time basis starting this week. Thank you, Dr Kate!
Let’s do our part by engaging in the programs she develops for us and making progress with living our best life with MS. We know we have our work cut out for us as MS has had generations of very smart people working towards a cure but we still don’t have a cure. It really bothers me when I see people work really hard at staying ahead of their MS but they still gradually get worse. It’s going to take all of us with MS to engage in as many programs, studies, share knowledge, etc. along with keeping a positive attitude and truly believing we can stay ahead of our MS and even make some progress. Dr Kate is here to help us any way she can. Let’s do our part and let’s “Just keep Moving”, together.
Now that Dr Kate is full time and will be here for us, we are now open Monday through Friday 7:00am – noon. It will be open gym during these hours and Dr Kate will be developing programs for each day based upon who comes and what people want to do.
Let’s thank our volunteers for being flexible and being here for us when we need them each day. Thank you, volunteers! If you know anyone willing to volunteer, please let them know we would appreciate more volunteer help.
Cardio Classes – Fun!
It amazes me and makes me happy seeing how many people are engaging in our cardio classes. To everyone on the treadmills and ellipticals, sorry you didn’t make the picture. Thanks to all for engaging and a special thanks to Dr Kate for creating this program and leading it as well as doing it with us!
Consistency
It was refreshing to receive an e-mail from a good friend of mine sharing a post about consistency from Gil Alter who also has MS and believes in consistency. It’s well written and I felt compelled to share this with you. Thanks Gil!
From a fb post by Gil Alter
Here is something you have not tried yet.
Not a miracle. Not a breakthrough.
Just one step outside your comfort zone, done daily.
The key is not intensity. It is CONSISTENCY.
Not ninety-nine percent. One hundred.
Before you roll your eyes, I do not mean rigid discipline. I mean FLEXIBILITY.
Consistency is flexibility in disguise.
It is finding a way, even when the way is small. Short. Alone.
Ten minutes becomes two. Two becomes one. One still counts.
ANYTHING BUT ZERO.
Consistency is adjusting without quitting.
Staying in motion, even when the motion is in a wheelchair or just down the block.
Lowering the bar without dropping the habit.
Scaling down, not stopping.
Keeping the promise, even when it is far from proper. Well below your standards.
Consistency is not intensity.
It is continuity.
Do it daily and your life will change within a few weeks.
This message from Gil is especially meaningful and good timing with Dr Kate starting full time so you can be consistent at least five days per week as well as training for our Day of Endurance. Consistency is key.
Nutrition Program
This week, Janine and friends at the Nutrition program discussed Antioxidants. I don’t know much about antioxidants. You can see the link below to learn more.
If you are not engaging in our nutrition program, I would highly encourage you to at least read the handouts that Janine prepares for us each week.
Here’s a link to the full handout:
Nutrition: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jYRmuTGyHoPIzNUoCfpoh4u36h8Uq8L7/view?usp=sharing
Janine puts a lot into these presentations. It’s wonderful for her to share these presentations with those who can’t be here. It’s even more impactful for people who can be here in person to get the information first hand and be able to get questions answered and learn from others living with MS.
I would highly encourage you to engage in our nutrition program Monday mornings @ 9:00am so you can benefit at a high level. All are encouraged to come; people with MS, loved ones, care takers, volunteers, etc.
Thank you, Janine!
Day of Endurance Training
Event is Saturday, August 29,2026 – Training is now
What: Do what you can
- Consistent Daily Exercise
- One long day per week – increase each week – no more than 10% per week
- Buddy up and exercise together
- Enjoy the journey 😊
Arts for MS Program – Let’s engage!
If anyone wants to carpool for these events from the gym, please let me know. Let’s do our best to make it easy for as many people as possible to take advantage of these wonderful opportunities for us, our family members, and friends.
Shoe Donations
We already filled four boxes and quite a few bags. 😊 Thanks to everyone who is donating their shoes!
Do you have any shoes you can donate? Becky Thomas is collecting old or new shoes supporting Soles for Jesus. These shoes will be distributed to people in need of shoes in Africa. She dropped off a box for us to drop them in. Please bring in shoes if you have any extras.
Member Spotlight – Bob Brandemuehl
This is a fitting week to honor Bob coming off the bowling tournament. Bob does so much for all of us at the gym. He fixes some of the equipment, helps anyone that needs help, recruits volunteers and people with MS, in addition to leading all aspects of the bowling tournament for us. THANK YOU, Bob!
Ed and Adam’s Podcast
Adam and Ed made a new podcast with Chrissy last week. They sure had a lot of fun on this one.
Here’s the link:
A Conversation With Chrissy by Positive Vibes Living with MS
Thanks Adam, Ed and Ava for doing these podcasts together!
Coughs, colds, flus, etc. – Let’s not share
There are a lot of bugs going around. If you are experiencing any symptoms, please stay home and recover from them instead of sharing with the rest of us at the gym. We look forward to you getting over it and having you back quickly.
Special Educational Event for us – Save the date and register
Nyani is here on Fridays, offering Thai Massage. She is a licensed massage therapist, practicing only traditional thai therapies. Every year Nyani invites her teacher to Waukesha, to share the teachings she so passionately believes in. This year, she has requested Somananda Yogi to the gym to check the work she does and see what she can do to better benefit those she works on while being here. Nyani has also invited Somananda Yogi to do a private talk, just for the members (and family and friends).
Traditional Medicine: In this talk, being held for members of MS Just Keep Moving, Inc, we will take an introductory look at the body, health, disease and longevity from the perspective of South and South East Asian medical traditions. The incorporation of traditional medicine and lifestyle habits is a longstanding option to bring benefit to our daily lives. This event will be led by a traditional medical doctor and practitioner of Buddhist sciences with time for questions at the end. There is a zoom option for those who cannot attend in person. If you are attending via zoom, you will be provided a link in your email after registration.
Link to register for zoom attendance: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/kDXdKS2iT2-fbeForqr9Sw
About Somananda Yogi:
Somananda Yogi has dedicated his life to the study and practice of buddhadhamma and traditional medicine. He has spent most of his life studying throughout Southeast Asia, especially Thailand, Burma, India, and Nepal, where he focused on Thai and Lanna Medicine, as well as Ayurveda and Yoga. Though he has completed medical training in formal curriculum, much of his medical education and yoga studies consisted of apprenticeships with experienced teachers and practitioners. Somananda Yogi now travels the world treating patients, helping those in need, instructing, lecturing, writing and serving his teachers.
Dockhounds Game to benefit our MS-Just Keep Moving Mission – Save the date and get tickets
Let’s get together!
We’ll be getting together from 7:00am – noon on Monday through Friday mornings at the gym. Plus, Monday evenings from 4:00pm – 7:00pm and Tuesday afternoons for the aquatics program. I hope you’ll join us!
Where:
Wisconsin Metal Parts – Westmound Building
MS-Just Keep Moving, Inc.
W228N791 Westmound Drive
Waukesha, WI 53186
Exercise Programs
These classes are aimed to get everyone exercising together. I like that word “together” 😊. We’ll need help from volunteers before and after the cardio class on Wednesdays and Fridays to get members on and off equipment. All are welcome and encouraged to join…friends with MS, volunteers, and caregivers.
Monday Mornings
6:30am – 8:00am – Rebounding – Total Body Functional Fitness and Stretching
7:00am – Noon – Open Gym
8:00am – 9:00am – Rebounding – Gentle Functional Fitness and Balance
9:00am – Nutrition Program – Friends with MS, caretakers and volunteers are encouraged to engage.
9:00am – Noon – Open gym and Neubie use for independent members, or those who come with a care partner.
9-10:00am: Neubie and personal training
10-11am – Group stretching class
10-10:15am Chair stretch
10:15-10:30am Standing balance and stretch
10:30-10:45am Core work on the mat
10:45 – 11:00am: Stretching on the mat
11:00-12:00pm: Neubie and workout recovery (stretch and massage)
Monday evenings (open gym from 4:00pm – 7:00pm)
5:00 pm: High intensity interval training (HIIT)
5:30 pm: Standing balance
6:00 pm: Seated balance
Tuesday Mornings
6:30am – 8:00am – Rebounding – Total Body Functional Fitness and Stretching
7:00am – Noon – Open Gym
Tuesday afternoons
1:00 pm – 1:45 pm: Aquatic exercise program held at Wildwood Lodge – Pewaukee
2:00 pm – 2:45 pm: Aquatic exercise program held at Wildwood Lodge – Pewaukee
Wildwood Lodge has a lift available to get people in wheelchairs in and out of the pool safely
Wednesdays
6:30am – 8:00am – Rebounding – Total Body Functional Fitness and Stretching
7:00am – Noon – Open Gym
8:00am – 8:30am – Rebounding – Gentle Functional Fitness and Balance
8:30am – 9:00am: Cardio exercise
Location: in the big room using aerobic equipment in front of big TV
Pick your favorite piece of equipment to use, bring a water bottle, and arrive a few minutes early to get the equipment set up to your height.
9:30am – 10:00am: Seated Balance
10-10:30am: Cardio exercise
Location: in the big room using aerobic equipment in front of big TV
Pick your favorite piece of equipment to use, bring a water bottle, and arrive a few minutes early to get the equipment set up to your height.
10:30am – 11:00am: Seated and/or standing stretching, strength, and balance with Ricky
11:00am – noon: Prayer Group
Thursdays
6:30am – 8:00am: Rebounding – Total Body Functional Fitness and Stretching
7:00am – Noon – Open Gym
8:30am – 11:00am Outdoor walking – contact Joan, Pam or Dan to find out where we’re walking.
Fridays:
6:30am – 8:00am – Rebounding – Total Body Functional Fitness and Stretching
7:00am – Noon – Open Gym
8:00am – 8:45am – Rebounding – Gentle Functional Fitness and Balance
8:45am – 9:30am – Spin Class – Starting December 12th, Mike Beiermeister will host a winter spin class starting at 8:45am. The class is 45 minutes in duration and meets in the front room with the spin bikes.
9:30 – 10:00am: High intensity interval training (HIIT) body weight circuit class. Great for those who aren’t attending Friday morning bike rides and want to get their heart pumping! Geared to intermediate to advanced ability level. Class may be indoors or outdoors depending on weather. Find Dr Kate at the start of the class time.
10:00 – 10:30 am: Seated balance class
10:30 – 11am: Standing balance class
Pick the class / classes you feel most able and comfortable participating in. We will have chairs set up to sit on and/or use for balance support.
Email Dr Kate Kern at kborn1234@gmail.com with any questions.
Friday Morning Bike Rides
We had a great season of bike riding from spring until fall. We are done for the season.
Let’s think spring so we can get back out there again! Until Spring…Let’s Bounce 😊 Check out our rebounding opportunities.
Research Needs us!
Marquette University, UW Milwaukee, University of Illinois, and Carroll University have research opportunities they would like us to engage in. We have flyers and more information about these opportunities at the gym and inserted below. Please engage in these opportunities if you qualify. You could make improvements yourself and you could be helping so many other people with MS as they face their challenges. We really need to get this MS thing figured out and you can help by engaging in these research opportunities.
Please note: Researchers at UW-Milwaukee changed the age limit on this study from 60 year old max to 70 years old so more of our friends with MS could participate. If you’re under 70 years old, please consider engaging in this research so we can help figure out how to keep our hands working longer…and get $30.00.
Here’s Badr’s presentation on this study in case you’d like more information.
You get paid $180.00 to do this one and it’s all done online.
Educational Sessions
Friday, March 13th 11:00 – 12:00 Dr Jon Stevenson from Strive Integrative Health will be here.
Friday, March 20th 11:00 – 12:00 Fayth Caruso from Bellicon will do another rebounding educational program and demonstration via zoom
Friday, April 10th 11:00 – 12:00pm: Sarah Stauder, MD in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation at Aurora Health Care will talk to us about the wheelchair clinic that she runs out of the Aurora and Froedtert health care systems. At the wheelchair clinic, patients are seen by a provider, a physical therapist, and the wheelchair vendor. They determine what type of wheelchair would be best for the patient and order it through the vendor, going through the patient’s insurance. Patients can receive a wheelchair or mobility device through insurance once every 5 years, sometimes sooner if disease progresses. Then the wheelchair vendor (usually National Seating & Mobility or Numotion) coordinates the delivery of the wheelchair and any further repairs/needs.
Friday, March 20th 11:00 – 12:00pm: Fayth Caruso will virtually join us for an hour of rebounding….
Wednesday, April 15th: Let’s Be Safe: tub/shower and bed transfers. Stephanie Wahlen, occupational therapist with with experience in home health and safety with ADLs, will provide a safe transfer workshop.
Friday, April 17th 6-8pm. Nyani Berg has invited a Traditional Medicine Doctor to speak with us about Traditional Medicine. A zoom option will be available for those that cannot make it in person. A flyer and zoom registration link will be available in the coming weeks.
Future topics could include: emotional health, nutrition, yoga, tai chi, wellness topics, safe use of gym equipment for your body, best exercise for you and more. What topics would you like to see? Please let Dr Kate, Joan, Traci, Ricky or Dan know.
Prayer Group We’ll be having our prayer group Wednesday from 11:00am – noon.
I just love the way we share, pray and laugh together while we witness prayers being answered weekly. It’s truly amazing!
Thanks goes to God and to everyone that joins us. Let’s get together to share, listen, talk, give thanks, and pray however God leads us.
MS-Just Keep Caring – Our Caregivers support group will be the first and third Friday of each month from 10:00 – 10:30am. The next one will be this Friday, March 6th, 2026. If you’re a caregiver of someone you love with MS, please join us and share your experience of caring for your loved one. This has been very helpful for many. Thanks to all who participate!
Our Facebook page is private. That means you’ll need to join if you want access to all our fun and progress. We’re now at 670 members. That’s awesome! https://www.facebook.com/groups/2639832389489709
Our Facebook page is active and fun. Lots of people are doing more and sharing their journey on Facebook. Feel free to join, post and share your experiences and comments.
There were some awesome pictures, videos and comments shared again this past week. Thank you to all who are sharing!
Metals for MS
Thank you to all who brought in aluminum cans, gutters, copper, brass, etc. Please keep bringing them in…you are helping us. Our total is $1,926.63 for the first nine months. That’s really good!
Parking
If you are able-bodied and willing to park across the street in the Acuity Foam lot so people with mobility challenges can park in our lot, please do so. We want to make it easy for people with mobility challenges to park and get into our building safely. Thank you for doing that!
Gym Open and Close Procedure
If you’re the first to come or the last to leave the gym, please use this procedure for opening and shutting down.
Open and closedown procedures.docx
Thai Massage with Ricky and Nyani
Ricky will be here on Wednesdays doing Thai Massage.
Nyani will be here on Fridays doing Thai Massage
Our goal is to serve as many people who come to the gym consistently as we can with these Thai Massage services. Going forward we will be doing a rotational schedule to accommodate as many people as we can who need and want a massage.
There are some guidelines written up at the gym. Please respect the guidelines so we can serve as many people as we can. Please sign up according to the guidelines.
Here’s a link to the guidelines: Thai Massage at MS-Just Keep Moving
Reiki on Fridays
Reiki is available at the gym, for FREE on Fridays with Linda C, 9:30am until noon. Sessions typically last 20-30 minutes. Sign up for a session on the white board.
Reiki (ray-kee) relaxes the body so that healing can occur! The “magic” of Reiki has helped some of our members with pain, insomnia, constipation, and so much more! Try it the next time you are at the gym!
Inspirational Humor with Adam Wollert
We’ll be having our inspirational humor zoom call with Adam again next Tuesday. Adam is a gift to all of us. Thanks to all who joined us today!
Please join us if you can.
Tuesdays @ 1:30PM
Here’s the link to join us…I hope you do!
Join Zoom Meeting with this link
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9431389152?pwd=bWlYbFNaazVnM1M1cWxWMitlODdXUT09
Meeting ID: 943 138 9152
Passcode: 3qP2hu
Phone: 1-312-626-6799
Let’s reach out
I encourage you to share a smile and encouragement with someone. Perhaps you could call someone that you have not talked with for a while just to say hi and see how they are doing. We all could use a little extra love and encouragement.
MS is tough. Let’s have faith, remain calm, be flexible, help each other and learn as much as we can about the challenges of each day as we make good choices and take action.
Let’s keep moving, smiling, and loving 😊 It helps in many ways!
In God We Trust…we are in good hands.
Dan
Our Website: http://msjustkeepmoving.org/
P.S. I tried to catch some sunrises and sunsets this week. I caught this sunrise Sunday morning. It’s hard to get the camera to capture the true beauty, light and colors. I need more practice with Sunrises and sunsets.
Here’s a little closer shot of the same spot
This field looked kind of interesting. I was wishing it had some deer in the picture.
I went to Pewaukee Lake Sunday evening for the sunset. It was a really nice sunset but again, hard to capture it’s true beauty.
I usually take a cross along with me when I’m out taking pictures. Sometimes, I like to use a cross as a prop which makes the image more impactful. Still hard to capture the true beauty properly.
Here’s the same cross against some rocks along the shore.
Here’s the cross that Pam’s Uncle Fred carved for me floating on some open water in the lake.
We went to Montello, WI on Saturday and visited with my sister and her husband. We saw this beautiful waterfall right in town.
On top of the rocks by the waterfall sat this little church that plays music.
For those who cannot get out and enjoy nature due your challenges with MS…my heart is with you. You are with me every time I am out there. I enjoy being out there and I also enjoy sharing with you. I know how hard it is not to be able to get out and enjoy nature. Let’s enjoy nature and God’s beauty together this way.
