Hello out there!!
All this last minute summer homework (yes, I procrastinate :p) has got me all tied up, so I thought I’d take a little break!
So I have talked with a few other out there- Thanks for your comments/emails! Some of you say you, or your family members with CP experience pain, soreness, fatigue on a regular basis (or occasionally.) While I can’t say that I do all too often myself, I do have certain mornings where I get out of bed and I am just SO tight and achy all around my left ankle and foot. Most of the time I can just walk it off or stretch my calf muscle while exerting force against a wall- you know what I’m talking about right? Well usually that helps ease any pain…for those of you that experience greater pain for longer periods or numbness, I suggest you talk to a Physical Therapist so they can tell you what is right for YOU because our CP differs from person to person and our ability levels as well.
Although I will say that staying active has helped me stay not only fit, but strong. I am able to do just about everything my twin sister can, just a bit slower. I love going on bike rides, long walks, but most of all I think that weight training helps me stay equally as strong on both sides of my body, considering I have CP on my left. So maybe re-examine what you do physically and see if that helps. Could you do more stretching (PT, or yoga!) More cardio? Try it out, these new exercises may decrease the frequency and level of pain!
I have another post on the way, now go do your summer homework (if you’re lucky you don’t have any) so you won’t be working ’til dawn like me! 
Stay happy and healthy! 
-Katy
My daughter has right sided hemiplegia…She is only 19 months but I have thought about how she would lift weights w/ the right side of her body…I am curious what type of weight training you do…Im a personal trainer so thats why too:)
Hi Karin!
We both think that lifting weights has kind of forced my CP side to adapt to the amount of activity I was requiring of my body. In a sense, I think I am much stronger, and my balance has improved since I started weight training about 6 years ago. I find that I can do just about every exercise (resistance bands, kettle bells, heavy weights)…just walking lunges and things like that require extra concentration and patience. I am stronger than my twin sis who doesn’t have CP! I only say that because I find that my CP doesn’t affect the way I train that much, which is so great. I notice that my right (non CP side) does overcompensate a bit too much…so maybe if your daughter does train in the future, try to ‘even’ out her strength more. I also use the elliptical for cardio because it puts less pressure and weight on my right side, so I can go for about 45 min-and hour on that. Whereas running is a bit more tiring and I fatigue faster. Hope that answers some of your questions!
I spoke with my mom about lifting weights, since you-re a personal trainer as well, I thought that was cool to mention to her.