CALLANETICS CHALLENGE MAY 2008

[wazo]

I measured tonight after 13 hours. Here are my results:

Bust 0 inch Ok

Waist up 1 inch

Hips up 1.5 inch

thigh up 1 inch

I think it's better i stop callanetic, because i lost my previous efforts.
I do callanetic carefully, i am disappointed and discourage....

[Sandrahanna]

I did my 1st hour of Callanetics yesterday in 2 weeks.

I have done nothing for two weeks other then sit in an airport with a bit of walking, sit in a plane, sit in a kitchen, walk to and from a car then sit with my mother.

When I did my workout I felt like a beginner - only worse. Every part of my body shook after the workout. When doing hip and behind my leg shook like crazy so I had to take heaps of breathers.

This morning my butt aches - the upper part in particular just like it does when you first start the exercises. I'm groaning on every step from aching quads, My upper arms are aching. Basically, I'm feeling every muscle in my body.

It is a reminder to me how quickly our muscles can atrophy from lack of movement.

I had forgotten how sore you can feel when first starting Callanetics, although it felt worse because I know how to relax while working out so everything felt super deep.

First session back is catch up next one (today) my body will be back on track - yeh!!
That's the good thing about Callanetics - we will never have to start from scratch.

Sandrax

[MountainGirl]

Originally Posted by Sandrahanna

Hi all my lovely LCFs

I want to say thank you all so much for all the thoughts and prayers that came through for my mum. Mum had a stroke and we were told she would have a max of 48 hours left, they didn't even think it worthwhile to take her to hospital. Amazingly by the time I arrived in UK my brother told me she was showing signs of improvement. Seriously, this seems like a miracle - the Doctors can't believe her recovery even though it's slight.

She is still very unwell and has limited speech but we thank God that she is still with us. I do believe in the power of prayer and I firmly believe that your prayers and thoughts made a difference - so I love you all for this thanks again.

It's great to see this thread is steaming along once again and I'm happy to be back with you. Right now though I'm off to do my first workout in two weeks so I'll be needing your prayers once again

WHOOOOO HOOOOO Sandra!!
It is so good to see you back and we will keep your mum in our prayers! I'm so thrilled to hear she is doing better and we pray for her continued improvement.

[Sandrahanna]

Originally Posted by wazo

I measured tonight after 13 hours. Here are my results:

Bust 0 inch Ok

Waist up 1 inch

Hips up 1.5 inch

thigh up 1 inch

I think it's better i stop callanetic, because i lost my previous efforts.
I do callanetic carefully, i am disappointed and discourage....

Hi,

I can understand you'd be feeling after all your efforts.

Have a good look at your body though and see if you can see any changes.

Are your calves looking thinner?

How about your knees and above your knees - do they look slimmer?

Take a look at your neck - does it look longer?

Look at your upper abs, below the ribcage - have you pulled in and tightened a little?

When practicing Callanetics and especially if you've done many close together sessions; the body can go through some scary changes just like you mention.

The upper legs/thighs will appear to thicken, your waist will feel bigger

This is because your body is pulling up from the calves and toning down from the chest. Everything will meet in the middle - For a while Then, as you continue your workout everything will pull in creating an all over slimmer feel and look.

To accelerate the 'pulling in' focus on stretching out of the pelvis/pelvic floor to create more stretch/tautness in the muscles you are training. This means that when you then add the pulsing action you are guaranteed to be working in to the deeper muscle fibres to change the length of the muscle.

Also, try to relax more in to the exercises and take any stress out of the workout. When we want to change our body shape it is natural to want to apply more effort and energy in to the exercises.

This isn't necessary to change the body in Callanetics - in fact the opposite applies. Replace effort and energy with accuracy at all times.

I hope this makes sense and helps you and that you don't give up.

Sandrax

[lowcarblulu]

Originally Posted by Sandrahanna

Hi,

When doing this exercise you are also strengthening the standing leg. In the beginning it's normal to need to take more breathers until the muscles strengthen.

Stay stretched up off the leg with the pelvic floor really strongly engaged

and keep the length up through the crown; this will help keep the weight off the leg.

It really is important to keep the counterpulls in place at all times - stretching out of the pelvic floor through the spine/crown and through the heel of the standing leg as well as the leg you are training.

I like to think of this as golden energy flowing from the engaged pelvic floor through the counterpulls - it helps me relax more in to the position.

So, take breathers - as many as you need. Always try to do one or two more pulses then you think you can to challenge your muslces then take a breather and get back in to your peak/best position

It will improve as you become stronger but you may always need to take breathers - even my advanced students (and me) take breathers as they focus more on training in a relaxed manner.

Never forget the Concept of 'Working at Your Own Pace'. This always applies.



Sandrax

Thanks, Sandra! So is it a bad thing if I'm holding on to my chair (in front of me) with both hands for the leg exercises (until my standing leg strengthens more)? Should I go back to just with one hand on the side (I'd definitely have to take more breathers)?

Thanks. And glad that you're back. Being so far away from an aging parent can be frustrating - I can relate to how powerless one can feel. Glad you were able to spend some time with her and that she's doing a little better.

[TripleCharm]

Originally Posted by metqa

Check out these posts about C.O.
I have been doing the Coconut Oil thing!

COCONUT OIL!

If a person gains or bloats on coconout oil (Fawn plz chime in)..

And if you can find it a Book called The coconut Miracle is good reading also.

Twyla, thank you so much for the links! This is an amazing reading. Apparently, everything happens for a reason, eh? I just bought a can of CO to use on my daughter's hair. Little did I know I'd be eating it tonight!

[Mary_M]

Sandra--I am praying for your Mom and you and your family . You are so generous with your time and we all appreciate you very much.

[Diorskin]

I did my first hour yesterday and all I can say is it hurts to sit on the pot. My thighs are screaming from this exercise! I love it.

But this is odd, my wrist is sore. I am not sure if I did something to it or what. Related to Callanetics? Anyone?

I think I will do my 2nd hour tomorrow.

Ok if I join you all?

[Sandrahanna]

Originally Posted by lowcarblulu

Thanks, Sandra! So is it a bad thing if I'm holding on to my chair (in front of me) with both hands for the leg exercises (until my standing leg strengthens more)? Should I go back to just with one hand on the side (I'd definitely have to take more breathers)?

Thanks. And glad that you're back. Being so far away from an aging parent can be frustrating - I can relate to how powerless one can feel. Glad you were able to spend some time with her and that she's doing a little better.

No, it's not a bad thing if this is your best position. However, make sure that you're not holding on for dear life on to the chair After a couple of sessions try one hand on the side as demonstrated and see how you go.

You want to be able to eventually do this not needing support - but still taking breathers when necessary.

Yes, that was the worst part about hearing the news regarding mum, I was soooo far away and felt hopeless. I couldn't get there quick enough. I'm happy that she is better.

Sandrax

[Sandrahanna]

Originally Posted by Mary_M

Sandra--I am praying for your Mom and you and your family . You are so generous with your time and we all appreciate you very much.

Thank you Mary

[dimond]

Thanks Noreen and Sandra, I will try to check my form for those problems!

:-)
-Di

[siamesegirl]

Originally Posted by Diorskin

I did my first hour yesterday and all I can say is it hurts to sit on the pot. My thighs are screaming from this exercise! I love it.

But this is odd, my wrist is sore. I am not sure if I did something to it or what. Related to Callanetics? Anyone?

I think I will do my 2nd hour tomorrow.

Ok if I join you all?

Are you resting on your hands when doing the hips & behind?? I had the same problem in the beginning because i was not strong enough to hang on to the table.chair=barre for the hips & behind. When you get stronger you will be able to sit up more and hang on to whatever you are using.

[Diorskin]

Originally Posted by siamesegirl

Are you resting on your hands when doing the hips & behind?? I had the same problem in the beginning because i was not strong enough to hang on to the table.chair=barre for the hips & behind. When you get stronger you will be able to sit up more and hang on to whatever you are using.

hmm, maybe. I will pay closer attention tomorrow. Thanks for the insight.

[missmattie]

PM session of AM/PM done.

[kimfin]

Originally Posted by Sandrahanna

Hi Kim,

Noreen would mean to not bend from the waist but bend from the hips. We always, always stretch out of the pelvis/pelvic floor if you bend from the waist you won't achieve this.
Sandrax

Thank you Sandra x

[kimfin]

Originally Posted by wazo

I measured tonight after 13 hours. Here are my results:

Bust 0 inch Ok

Waist up 1 inch

Hips up 1.5 inch

thigh up 1 inch

I think it's better i stop callanetic, because i lost my previous efforts.
I do callanetic carefully, i am disappointed and discourage....

Hi wazo,

Please don't give up! This may actually be a good sign! As Sandra said in her post, these extra inches could just be your body lifting up before it pulls in. Also what other benefits do you feel from Callanetics? For example, do you feel stronger or more flexible? Less back or joint pain? I always think Callanetics makes everyday life so much easier its worth it just for that! I love feeling strong and flexible and then when the inches start to drop too its just WOW!

Hope that helps a bit wazo, its awful when you feel so discouraged. Keep smiling!

Kim x

[Lucky Stardust]

1 session of Am/PM comleted!

[Lynelle]

1 hour 10/10.

[kimfin]

Hey everyone,

I have a question. When you do the leg stretches where your foot is on the bar, why do you scoot your foot forward for the second one? I feel like I'm gonna fall over when I do this and am clinging on for dear life! So relaxing into the stretch is out of the question Should the foot on your standing leg be level with your hip or further forward?

Hope that makes sense!

[siamesegirl]

Originally Posted by siamesegirl

Are you bending from the hips and not the waist?? Shot i gotta run!! Be back later..sorry!!

OMG!! Sorry, i forgot to complete this... Sandra was kind enough to finish my answer for me. Thank you Sandra!

[thesedays]

can everyone here keep their pelvic floor engaged the entire time they are exercising except me?

I still feel like I'm either doing something wrong, or just can't do it !! If I tighten my lower butt musceles (like holding in gas) which is what I was told to do, I still feel like it lets go on it's own and i have to re-tighten, so it's more like I'm pulsing mine, rather than keeping it engaged.

Is this normal?

[WATCH-ME-SHRINK]

Originally Posted by thesedays

can everyone here keep their pelvic floor engaged the entire time they are exercising except me?

I still feel like I'm either doing something wrong, or just can't do it !! If I tighten my lower butt musceles (like holding in gas) which is what I was told to do, I still feel like it lets go on it's own and i have to re-tighten, so it's more like I'm pulsing mine, rather than keeping it engaged.

Is this normal?

Until your pelvic floor muscles gain more strength, this is normal. These muscles don't go from lax to tight overnight.

The more you do it -- as much as you can -- the stronger they will get, as with any muscle. Be conscious of the engagement, and do the best you can, and they WILL strengthen.

[WATCH-ME-SHRINK]

Originally Posted by Sandrahanna

I did my 1st hour of Callanetics yesterday in 2 weeks. When I did my workout I felt like a beginner - only worse. Every part of my body shook after the workout. When doing hip and behind my leg shook like crazy so I had to take heaps of breathers.

This morning my butt aches - the upper part in particular just like it does when you first start the exercises. I'm groaning on every step from aching quads, My upper arms are aching. Basically, I'm feeling every muscle in my body.

It is a reminder to me how quickly our muscles can atrophy from lack of movement.

I had forgotten how sore you can feel when first starting Callanetics, although it felt worse because I know how to relax while working out so everything felt super deep.

"....back on track.....that's the good thing about Callanetics - we will never have to start from scratch."
Sandrax

Very inspiring reminders, Sandra!

So glad to have you back in the challenge.

[kimfin]

Originally Posted by thesedays

can everyone here keep their pelvic floor engaged the entire time they are exercising except me?

I still feel like I'm either doing something wrong, or just can't do it !! If I tighten my lower butt musceles (like holding in gas) which is what I was told to do, I still feel like it lets go on it's own and i have to re-tighten, so it's more like I'm pulsing mine, rather than keeping it engaged.

Is this normal?

Hi,

Yes I keep having to remind myself to tighten my PF muscles! But find it gets easier each hour x