CALLANETICS CHALLENGE JULY 2008

[mrs lightyear]

HI everyone

Today I did

Workout 1

Begin with Hip Hugger Abs Bonus
Finish with Muscle Eats Fat

(Total body workout with upper bod (weights) and thigh work and abs emphasis)

I loved it

Have a great day

[kelley17]

Just completed hour 16 of 10/10 for July.

[sunrise lady]

I made my July minimum of 10 hours today.

[ThyckeCutie]

Total of 11 for the month. Will be going for 12-13 for August

[Ladybugg]

WooHoo!

I just received my Evolution and Super Callanetics dvd's in my PO box this morning. I can't wait to check them out this weekend.

Since I've only done 11 hours of 10/10, I should start with Evolution right? Someone once said that Super C was harder.

[NenaP]

17th hour of 10/10 done!

I'm gonna start doing 10/10 Mon-fri in August

[kimfin]

Originally Posted by Sandrahanna

Hi,

I used to have a weight problem in my early 20's and carried most of the weight around my butt and thighs - I had very chunky legs. I was constantly fasting and on weight loss diets and then eating the wrong foods. I used to go on the Limits biscuit diet to quickly lose weight.

I lost weight when I was 24 and just married. I didn't diet to lose weight at all, in fact I started eating normally...three meals a day. My metabolism changed for some unknown reason and then I found I just couldn't put on weight regardless of what I ate. I think it was stress related.

Anyway, I had lost so much weight that I had little muscle tone in my butt. It was flat and soggy. I just couldn't get it to tone up and lift regardless of exercise. I became a gym junkie and did yoga, aerobics etc but nothing worked. I remained skinny with little muscle tone. 1987 I found Callan's book and that was when my body started to become stronger and my butt changed.

I'm in better shape then I was at 20 and stronger.

Also, I don't do anything else other than Callanetics. I want to be able to tell my students that only Callanetics gave me this shape and it's easy to maintain and keep the results even though I'm 52.

I have to say; and I think Noreen made the same comment; that my butt and thighs really changed dramatically once I started to incorporate the pelvic floor in to my workout, especially with the hip and behind exercises. A strong pelvic floor is the key to a youthful, lifted behind and lean shapely legs.

My diet isn't totally pure - week days I eat lots of wild alaskan salmon (which I get tinned from US) and salads. Also I marinate chicken breasts in herbs, oil and lemon and have with salads and blanched broccoli, beans etc. Weekends I eat what I like, drink wine eat out and nuture the rebel in me.

Apologies for the lengthy reply - I've just realised that I turn everything in to a manuscript

Sandra x

Thanks for your reply Sandra. That marinated chicken sounds delicious. And I like the sound of weekends off! Don't worry - your posts are fascinating. I always learn so much from them so type away!

[chockitty]

hi everyone~!
can someone help clarifying this?
i'm always confusing in this segment
in hip and behind callan 10 in 10,how high those legs should be,to achieve maximum result?

[planetbenjamin]

CallaneticsEvolution done! I also did Lotte Berk Basic Essentials. Wasn't impressed. The women was sooooooo annoying! I noticed on the DVD that you can turn her off and have music playing instead...I wonder why?!! hehehe

[Comma]

...aaaaand twenty. phu. Made it just in time.

[Maria627]

Originally Posted by planetbenjamin

CallaneticsEvolution done! I also did Lotte Berk Basic Essentials. Wasn't impressed. The women was sooooooo annoying! I noticed on the DVD that you can turn her off and have music playing instead...I wonder why?!! hehehe

I have HHA & HRA. They are pretty good though. It's the setup & chatter that make it unbearable.

Anyway I did SC today. I don't have my month totals but I think I completed what I wanted!!

[Sandrahanna]

Originally Posted by Ladybugg

Good day everyone!

I just completed my 10th hour of 10/10 today. I noticed something weird in my stomach today. My pooch is starting to get a dented line across the belly button area, like it's separating into 2 rolls. Does that mean that this is working, could I be losing the fat?

that's wonderful to read. Yes, rolls and lines do develop as we progress. Quite often there is a definite flattening of the lower abs then a line appears where the fat has moved up; so you'd have a roll of fat. Also, we tone from the chest down so everything meets in the middle. As the waist pulls in a pooch starts to form in the middle of the tummy around the belly button.

This is all good and what you'd want to see - even slim people get this and this can freak them out - especially if they had a flat tummy before. It does all iron out eventually though. It's important to intensify the exercises and keep up with regular workouts leaving no longer then 3 days between each session.

Also, it's a good idea to feel the remaining fat. Roll it with your fingers and feel the composition of the fat. YOu will notice after a few more sessions that the composition of the fat starts to change. One student commented that her fat started to feel like beads in a bean bag or a beanie soft toy.


To promote the pull in and flattening of your abs - keep intensifying. With the leg raised exercise try lowering your legs an inch at a time. You'll feel the work shift and feel it more right over the hip bones and it'll be working deep through that area where the fat collects. Plus, add the pelvic floor gently at first.

Always, check that your low back is relaxed and you aren't experiencing pain, especially as you lower the legs.

Keep us informed of your progress.

Sandra x
So, great work and keep it up.

[Sandrahanna]

Originally Posted by annanna

I just tried to delete this entry, because had posted the same thing twice, but it won't let me so i'll just say:

You all inspire me very much!!

(And what I've been wondering: are you serious, that it helps with cellulite? I thought nothing helps with that! I'll be happy if my body gets toned, but that would be an amzing added bonus )

Yes, yes, yes the back of the legs smooth out amazingly improving the appearance of cellulite.


To get this effect it is vital that you incorporate the pelvic floor and counterpulls with every hip and behind exercise. As you work with these concepts while training you will feel the stretch deeply at the back of the legs and you will be pulsing even deeper for greater effect.

Twyla has covered wonderfully the eating habits etc for cellulite improving so there's nothing I can add to this. As she said there are so many factors and causes for cellulite. So if you're serious you need to look in to your diet, skin brushing, massage etc.



Sandra x

[Sakinah]

woohoo I just got Evolution in the mail today, so happy to change it up a bit!

[Sandrahanna]

Originally Posted by annanna

Thanks for all your input, especially Sandrahanna!

I've done five hours of 10/10 and I'm realizing what I'm doing wrong, I think, but I haven't yet managed to do this right:

In both hip/behind exercises, whenever I start to lift the leg up from the floor, my weight automatically shifts to the other side and that side I'm NOT working on tries to do the work. I can feel it getting all tense and there is no way I can get it to relax.

I do feel my butt doing something during those exercises, but I think the majority of the work is done on the other side (don't ask me how though!).

I'll definitely keep trying, but maybe you also have some pointers as to how to avoid doing that.

(and i love all the other exercises! yesterday i couldn't shave my legs in the shower, because putting my weigth on just one leg made it shake uncontrollably - three hours of basketball practice wouldn't do that to me!)

Hi,

This is very common with beginners. You will find it easier once your muscles strengthen. For the first couple of classes I let a student with deconditioned muscles use whatever muscles they have and don't worry about technique until about the 3rd or 4th class.

See if this helps:

Let's say you are going to train on the right side:

1. So, left leg bent in front of you with your right leg bent to the side with your knee level with hip.

2. Engage the pelvic floor by squeezing the muscles between the sit bones bringing the sitbones closer together.

3. Stretch out thru the spine

4. Now keeping the stretch out through the spine and lengthening out thru the crown of your head focus on stretching the right leg out of the hip socket and lengthen thru the knee.

5. Keep this focus of stretching out thru spine and thru knee and gently lift your knee up off the floor. Just 'think' lift knee - avoid allowing hip and upper behind to lift up.

Once the knee has lifted move it back an inch then pulse your knee back.

IF you find that the only way to keep your torso stable and not collapsing over is to allow your knee to move forward of hip slightly then let this happen. Once you have the knee lifted you can then work on bringing it back in line with your hip without collapsing over to the left.

Try to relax your shoulders - avoid hunching them up to shoulders. Do as many pulses as you can then take a breather and repeat. Your muscles will strengthen quicker if you only pulse when in your best position.

A key to lifting, strengthening and toning the buttocks is to keep the body absolutely stationary when moving in to position. Once you are pulsing you can then relax into position to intensify and work deeper.

When I'm training and moving in to position I like to think of gentle, golden
energy flowing out of my pelvic floor thru to crown of head and knee or foot. This prevents incorporating other muscle groups. Also, as your pelvic floor muscles strengthen you will be able to lift your knee or foot using that activation. Another guarantee not to bring on board other muscle groups.

So, I engage and lengthen out thru counterpulls and keep engaging deeper until the knee lifts. It feels wonderful I love it

Good luck and let us know how you go.

Sandra x

[siamesegirl]

Hi Everyone!

Right now I`m in a bit of a pickle. I was going to start the thread today or tomorrow but my 4 year old Kristina decided to throw a book at my Macbook!!!!!!!! I`m at the public library tpying this out.

I had to go downtown and drop it off for repairs(free!) so i won`t have a comp or laptop for 3-5 days.
I haven`t not forgetten about my promise. Back in a few days

[Sandrahanna]

Originally Posted by Sakinah

woohoo I just got Evolution in the mail today, so happy to change it up a bit!

I hope you enjoy it. Let me know if you have any queries.

Don't forget to watch the CallaneticsConcepts chapter. The concepts are soooo important. They must be applied to every exercise and stretch to get the full benefits. Actually, nothing will make sense if you don't watch it.

I advise my students to read the concepts every week until they are 100% familiar and comfortable with them. In no time they're telling me that they're applying them in their day to day life and this makes a huge difference.

Sandra x

[Sandrahanna]

Originally Posted by chockitty

hi everyone~!
can someone help clarifying this?
i'm always confusing in this segment
in hip and behind callan 10 in 10,how high those legs should be,to achieve maximum result?

Hi,

Which exercise are you referring to in 10/10. I'm not sure of your question sorry.

Sandra x

[wazo]

Last hr of evolution completed for july

[kelley17]

Hour 17 completed for July

[lowcarblulu]

Well, July is over and I'm sorry to say I didn't make my goal... hot weather and life got in the way... that's my excuse, anyway!

DH and I leave in the morning for a brief vacation. Not sure if I'll be able to get any hours in while we're away but I'll check in to the August thread late next week to join the challenge!

See you then!

Lulu

[chockitty]

Originally Posted by Sandrahanna

Hi,

Which exercise are you referring to in 10/10. I'm not sure of your question sorry.

Sandra x

sorry
i'm referring to The Behind and Hips #1 and #2..can you elaborate how to achieve the maximum result in this one?example the correct legs position and so on?
thanks!