CALLANETICS CHALLENGE APRIL 2008

[metqa]

:gulp: [raises hand nervously]

I guess I'm in too. I'm not an addict yet, I've only done two hours. But I think I like it. I hope to strengthen my neck so I can do the stomach exercises. I hope to do Callanetics and my Belly dance basics together, but I'm not good at keeping routines. If I can get in two Callans each week, I'd be doing great for me.

[Tylar_Connar]

the other day i started to do the 10 in 10 I got through the stretches and then where you did the 100 sit up things.

the next few days my shoulders and neck were killing me.

would this be the cause??

for real.

it was like like 10-15 minutes...i think.

[Sandrahanna]

Originally Posted by ThyckeCutie

Im in!!!

Question...what does the leg exercises strenthen? Would this be the front of the thighs?

Hi,

You should feel the muscles working in the thighs definitely (keep knees stable over middle feet - don't let them go over toes or roll in). The tighter your PF (pelvic floor) the more you'll also feel this in the hamstrings and base of behind. Try to use your PF to move you up and down when doing the plies.

Callanetics leg exercises allow the leg muscles to grow gracefully without bulk.

Sandrax

[skinhealth]

Just completed 1 hour of 10 in 10 and 40 minutes of Tae Bo/dancing.

I'm ordering CallaneticsEvolution after hearing everyone on here - I can't wait to try it!

[planetbenjamin]

Just done CallaneticsEvolution. I think I'm gonna do Quick Callanetics for the Stomach as well now. I want a nice flat stomach for the summer!

[deb81]

I would like to join as well. I bought the beginning callanetics dvd, but just ordererd the 10 in 10 since that seems what most are doing. If all goes well, I will get the evolution one also. Here's to an awesome summer!

[WATCH-ME-SHRINK]

Originally Posted by deb81

I would like to join as well. I bought the beginning callanetics dvd, but just ordererd the 10 in 10 since that seems what most are doing. If all goes well, I will get the evolution one also. Here's to an awesome summer!

Deb81....and the gazillion others who've joined since I last posted....(way too hard to keep up now)!

Now that I've actually done, gone all the way through, Evolution my first time, my overall opinion is that yes, it's a great workout, new and modern things added, and some extras I'll want to incorporate, but for overall quick, effective and comprehensive-don't-waste-time-getting-there approach, I still vote for 10 Years Younger in 10 Hours as the "best" for starters. That's just my opinion. Seems old-fashioned, I know. But I know it works, and I just think it's a great workout.

However, Evolution definitely has its place. I think it has some adjustments to form that are likely far kinder to those just starting or incorporating a body-shaping workout, and who may have limitations or whatever. These variations and enhancements to form will be less likely to cause discomfort and such. So in that sense, it's superior. There will always be room for improvement on most anything.

[MountainGirl]

Hey y'all!

For those of you that do the Callanetics every OTHER day, what do you do for the in-between days?

Thanks!

[Sandrahanna]

Originally Posted by ThyckeCutie

Yes me again with pelvic floor questions. Is engaging the pelvic floor like holding muscles for instance if you were to hold your urine if you had to go to the bathroom really bad, then rolling up towards the navel? I think I read that somewhere.....

Do you also tighten the behind?

Ok that was the last pelvic question lol Im a little slow

Hi,

That's only part. There are 3 layers to the pelvic floor muscles and the layer that most of use to hold in urine is the outer layer. In Callanetics we engage from inner layer - which is right at the base of the behind and lies between the sit bones

So, as you exercise always keep the base of the behind tight, tight, tight. Try to think that you are squeezing the muscles between the sit bones to draw them (sit bones) closer together. Callan says in 10/10 to tighten the behind and would keep reiterating this. Basically, she was getting us to keep our PF activated.

If I have a student who is confused by this (remember we use these muscles subconciously) I tell them to think that they are holding in a bowel motion and urine at the same time.

When you do this try to keep the upper part of the behind and lower back relaxed. This becomes easier as your PF strengthens. Most important of all don't stress about it. Trust your natural body instincts...it does become easier.

As you work with the PF more your results accelerate and then look out world!!!!

Sx

[Sandrahanna]

Originally Posted by ThyckeCutie

Yes me again with pelvic floor questions. Is engaging the pelvic floor like holding muscles for instance if you were to hold your urine if you had to go to the bathroom really bad, then rolling up towards the navel? I think I read that somewhere.....

Do you also tighten the behind?

Ok that was the last pelvic question lol Im a little slow

One more thing - avoid curling when you engage the PF. A pelvic curl is a totally separate movement. Engage PF first and then curl (if an exercise requires a curl).

[planetbenjamin]

Sandra, do you any other really challenging stomach exercises? That's my only problem area now.

[KJ-43]

Hey yall!!! I glad to be apart of this thread. I join late March and have completed 4 hours and my hubby keeps saying your stomach is really going down. I plan to complete about 8-10 hours this month b/c I work out at the gym and I do dvd's on the days I work(work a flex schedule) and don't get off until 6:12pm. I really love this it almost have a yoga and pilates.
looking forward to all the changes in my body this month.
kj

[Lynelle]

Count me in for April challange. I hope to be a bit more consistent this month.

I did another hour last night. My jeans are fitting better.

[lildragonfly]

Originally Posted by MountainGirl

Hey y'all!

For those of you that do the Callanetics every OTHER day, what do you do for the in-between days?

Thanks!

I do strength training and cardio on opposing days. I mix up with my new workout called 10 minute trainer and I do turbo jam. I also do elliptical HIIT.

[ThyckeCutie]

thanks sandra I will remember this when I do my 10 in 10 tonight

[ConnieB]

Tylar-Connar, I am just beginning but actually felt the difference after only 2 hours. I couldn't see any changes, but I noticed I could look back while backing out of the driveway without back or neck pain. I also had noticeable difference with my fibro, mainly, much less pain.

Just completed my 5th hour.

I'm also excited because I got word today that my Callanetics books have shipped. I love to read and am really looking forward to receiving them.

Connie

[speds]

I did my fourth hour this morning - had a bad dream and woke up early so decided "what the heck - just get up and do your Callanetics..." Glad I did!

I have a couple of questions:
1. Does anyone find it really hard to 'relax' the body? I do it after she tells me to do so but find I'm kind of tensed up a lot of the time.

2. Is it normal to not be able to do all 100 of each of the ab exercises this far into it? I seriously can do about 1/2 to 3/4 of each one before I am groaning in pain.

3. I cannot do the thigh stretch one - where you put your arms behind you and stretch them. It KILLS me - I can't figure out why these are so hard for me.

[ConnieB]

Hi Speds.

I'm also just starting out and having the same problems (?) as you. As course I am old and overweight. I don't even count how many I am doing, I just do what I can and keep repeating to myself "relax, relax, relax"

As far as the thigh stretch, I am lucky to just get in the starting position and I just stay in that position as long as I can.

Connie

[Amany]

Hi All.

This will be my first time joining this thread. I bought the 10/10 book and video two years ago, but only did it twice. I'm going to be bold and push for 16 hours this month.

[ardawn]

I have been lurking in this thread off and on for months......and I want to join the challenge! I LOVE Callenetics,and I LOVE what it does for my body.I am doing 10/10 every other day,and then adding in walking on my treadmill for 45 min. @ 4+ mph on the alternate days. I look forward to getting to know everyone better!

Oh,I have completed 2 hours this week so far.

[lisabinil]

Originally Posted by speds

I did my fourth hour this morning - had a bad dream and woke up early so decided "what the heck - just get up and do your Callanetics..." Glad I did!

I have a couple of questions:
1. Does anyone find it really hard to 'relax' the body? I do it after she tells me to do so but find I'm kind of tensed up a lot of the time.

2. Is it normal to not be able to do all 100 of each of the ab exercises this far into it? I seriously can do about 1/2 to 3/4 of each one before I am groaning in pain.

3. I cannot do the thigh stretch one - where you put your arms behind you and stretch them. It KILLS me - I can't figure out why these are so hard for me.

You just posted you have Fibro-that's your answer there. I am a Fibromyalgia sufferer and I can most times complete all the exercises at my 17th hour.

[WATCH-ME-SHRINK]

Originally Posted by speds

I did my fourth hour this morning - had a bad dream and woke up early so decided "what the heck - just get up and do your Callanetics..." Glad I did!

THAT'S TOO CUTE.

Love that kind of attitude/addiction!

[WATCH-ME-SHRINK]

Originally Posted by speds

I have a couple of questions:
1. Does anyone find it really hard to 'relax' the body? I do it after she tells me to do so but find I'm kind of tensed up a lot of the time.

The ability to relax is something that gets better with repetition and LEARNING HOW to relax. Relaxation is key. Hang in there

2. Is it normal to not be able to do all 100 of each of the ab exercises this far into it? I seriously can do about 1/2 to 3/4 of each one before I am groaning in pain.

Yes, it's normal. As you get stronger, you'll be able to do more and with less difficulty. Don't strain/push. Do what you can and work up slowly, gently.


3. I cannot do the thigh stretch one - where you put your arms behind you and stretch them. It KILLS me - I can't figure out why these are so hard for me.

What Lisa said, but these will get easier as you increase in flexibility, which is inevitable with Callanetics. The increased flexibility will come in handy in many areas of your life as well.....so wonderful!

[WATCH-ME-SHRINK]

Originally Posted by ardawn

I have been lurking in this thread off and on for months......and I want to join the challenge! I LOVE Callenetics,and I LOVE what it does for my body.I am doing 10/10 every other day,and then adding in walking on my treadmill for 45 min. @ 4+ mph on the alternate days. I look forward to getting to know everyone better!

Oh,I have completed 2 hours this week so far.

Ardawn, I've seen you around LCF....well, actually that precious daughter's face...she's a princess. Welcome, and looking forward to getting to know you too. Good work so far.

WELCOME NEWBIES!

[ThyckeCutie]

1hr of 10 in 10 completed

Are you NOT suppose to engage the pelvic floor in some of her exercises? Like the streches, stomach exercises etc. Because she doesnt say to. I guess I was under the impression to always keep the plevic floor engaged. I guess I was confused because in Callan she just repeats "tip the pelvic up" in other exercies but Callan Evolution seems like the pelvic is engaged differently and every single exercise even the stretches...no?

[sgl375]

Hey guys- I'm 16 and just discovered callanetics a week and a half ago. i read through the ENTIRE March thread, and I'm finally ready to join. so far i've done about 4 hours of 10-10. I'm not going to measure until i get 10 hours in, but my lower half seems smoother and i can touch my palms completely to the floor when i bend over. My limbs feel so stretchy!

I have a big butt (42 inches) and a smaller waist (28 inches), and I'm hoping callanetics will be just the thing to make jeans shopping easier. Has it changed anyone else's butt alot? I put on muscle really easily, so i need to be careful with squats, lunges, etc. I am commiting to 15 hours this month. Hopefully this is plausible; I have SAT's to worry about. But since callanetics makes me feel so good, i think i can manage.

I can't wait to hear what everyone else can accomplish; you all seem like awesome people.

<33 Steph