December Callanetics Challenge

[Sandrahanna]

Originally Posted by ellenalesa

I am REALLY feeling my abs. And, I think, my pelvic floor!

I have done 7 hours this month so far and have done it 2 days in a row, twice. I think may have been the difference.

I was always extremely sore while doing the ab work that I hate so much...and Sunday, for the first time, I noticed that I was sore AFTER. A nice sore. VERY aware of my abs.

Sandra, maybe I *will* come to like the ab work after all. This will be the first time I've ever stuck with anything long enough to see any kind of results.

I am so glad I stuck it out. Sometimes, I feel like I"m never going to get it; then all of a sudden, it makes sense.

Ellen

Ellen loves abs, Ellen loves abs

I would say that your abs are getting stronger and you are creating the movment/pulse from the abs which is GREAT

Now, make your next goal to really let go and relax while pulsing. Make your pulses smooth and relaxed. Breathe deeply without pushing your abs up and just "let go and melt" while staying as rounded up as possible.

When you're ready to intensify further start to lower your legs if one or both are raised. However, keep your pelvic floor tight, buttocks and low back relaxed and the sit bones lengthening down to floor while the heels lengthen up (2nd counterpull) You'll feel this in your lower abs more.

Round in even further letting your rib cage melt in to your shoulder blades.

Keep the back of your neck soft and long with shoulder blades eased down towards your hips and widened (4th counterpull).

As you lower your legs 1 inch at a time ensure that your low back stays relaxed and melting in to the floor if you feel it lift or become tense bring your legs straight back up.

Happy relaxed pulsing

[Sandrahanna]

Originally Posted by elainek

why my measurements are the same. I have been doing Callanetics 10/10 and Evolution faithfully for a year and my waist/thighs/stomach etc are the same size.

I am 54, 5ft2ins, 108lbs. I follow the concepts, believe I am doing the exercises pretty well, but no results in size. Any insights?

Thanks

That'd disheartening for you after your commitment

If you haven't gained any weight during the period it's difficult to answer this without watching you workout.

Some things to check though;

Are you working with a relaxed body and not consciously contracting or tightening any muscles whatsoever?

Are you stretched out of the hips/pelvis to the max and keeping your PF as tight as possible without tightening your buttocks? It's so important to keep stretching, stretching stretching out of the pelvis while working out. Think of your pelvis as the nucleus or core and you are wanting to reach further and further from this core as you train.

Try increasing your pulses of the waist exercise. Even repeating just this exercise a couple of times during the day.

[Sandrahanna]

Originally Posted by sky115

Twyla, thank you for your response. I do drink tons of water but that is excellent advice for anyone trying to lose weight. I think my issue is portion sizes, I mostly eat tons of steamed veggies (literally, huge portions, not little piles giant platefuls and I enjoy every minute of it); but I think the issue is the tonnage and not what I'm eating (I dont do 'healthy' junk food like bars/cereal/organic processed foods/etc), so calories only real come from veggies. i limit starchy veggies (to my daily sweet potato portion) and eat no grains or fruit but I guess I overdue the veggies (I did the fat flush a month ago and they have this unlimited veggie policy which I really take advantage of and still do).

Anyways I have a question about the thigh exercise and the hip/thigh. With the thigh exercise- where is the push suppose to come from? Do you push with the butt- is it a pulse from this area or what? Everytime I do this move I'm unsure of whether im doing it properly- should the butt remain tight the entire time or do you release/tighten with each pulse?

In the hip/thigh I started using Sandra's position from the pictures she posted, prior to this I had been propping myself up on my hand/arm which i kept totally straight- so I was holding myself up higher. In this position I felt much more 'challenged' but I'm not sure if it was suppose to feel this way. when I do it Sandra's way I feel the area working- I get the quiver- but it doesn't feel like im getting tight etc. Is the feeling of the muscles working suppose to be subtle or is it suppose to feel really hard.

For the bent leg position the pulse comes from the knee and only the knee. When the leg is straight it comes from the leg.

For both exercises the hip and waist remain totally relaxed but don't allow the hip or waist to cave in. You'll see this on the underside as you'll see your waist sinking down in to the floor. This, in turn, brings the hip up. Feel like the leg is being disconnected from the hip socket which you stretch your spine out in the opposite direction.

Your goal is to keep your body totally stabilised while you lift the knee or leg up. If you're leg rises up too high this will mean you've lifted using the upper part of your behind or hip.

So, you can think of lifting the knee while melting and relaxing the hip down but don't let it collapse.

I hope that doesn't confuse you. I tell my students to pulse the knee as though it's going back and forth over a 2mm or quarter of an inch line.

Again, the pulses are smooth and delicate not jerky. It definitely isn't a 'push'.

[realfoodmom]

10/10 done. I was finally able to talk my husband into doing it with me. Asking for evolution and cardio callanetics for Christmas.

[realfoodmom]

I changed my avatar to a picture of me with my daughter. I was growing discouraged by my lack of results with callanetics...no change in inches, but when I saw this recently taken pic I realized what a HUGE difference it made in my rear. I don't think it has ever been so high...even pre-baby when I wore a four. Hopefully, when I add cardio callanetics and evolution to my routine I will see more substantial results in my abs and hips, as well.

[kelliebel]

so great to be back! I just caught up!! I missed seeing ya'll every day!!! So many of you are doing awesome!!

soo good to read SANDRA AND TWYLA'S POSTS!! Thank so much!!!
We are still without power, but are staying with my parents. We went back to the house to try to salvage some of our fridge food not much some smells were, well

So hopefully I will get Callanetics in tomorrow!! Cheer me on...I need it!!!

[kelliebel]

so great to be back! I just caught up!! I missed seeing ya'll every day!!! So many of you are doing awesome!!

soo good to read [COLOR="DarkOrchid"]SANDRA[/COLOR] AND [COLOR="RoyalBlue"]TWYLA'S [/COLOR]POSTS!! Thank so much!!!
We are still without power, but are staying with my parents. We went back to the house to try to salvage some of our fridge food not much some smells were, well

So hopefully I will get Callanetics in tomorrow!! Cheer me on...I need it!!!

[sunrise lady]

Behind again this month! It's been so busy. Last nite I did Evolution up to the end of the leg exs... I'll have to work hard to catch up, I hope I have time... After the new year it should get a little quieter...

[eates91999]

Thanks twyla! Also, how has callanetics affected your level of flexibility ? I'm not flexible at all, so i'm really, really hoping callanetics will help. If you are more flexible thanks to Callanetics, has this changed the appearance of your muscles in any way? Do they look longer? Anyone else care to answer? Thank you!!

[elainek]

Originally Posted by realfoodmom

I changed my avatar to a picture of me with my daughter. I was growing discouraged by my lack of results with callanetics...no change in inches, but when I saw this recently taken pic I realized what a HUGE difference it made in my rear. I don't think it has ever been so high...even pre-baby when I wore a four. Hopefully, when I add cardio callanetics and evolution to my routine I will see more substantial results in my abs and hips, as well.

Way to go!! Good news. I also have no change in inches but bum is higher up

Thanks Sandra will try and do all of what you said, thought I was for most of it. The inch tape is becoming like the scales must see a change.

[kelliebel]

Originally Posted by realfoodmom

I changed my avatar to a picture of me with my daughter. I was growing discouraged by my lack of results with callanetics...no change in inches, but when I saw this recently taken pic I realized what a HUGE difference it made in my rear. I don't think it has ever been so high...even pre-baby when I wore a four. Hopefully, when I add cardio callanetics and evolution to my routine I will see more substantial results in my abs and hips, as well.

way to go!!!

[nola baxter]

Hi

For ElaineK and Sky, and anyone else who is not getting results- or not many results.
I have been doing Callanetics for 13 months now and have not got the results I desire either;
I have had no size loss
No improvement of saddlebags- which was the main reason I started Callanetics- they are my biggest bugbear and have been ever since I got them at puberty- I have turned myself inside out over the years to try and eliminate them to no avail.
I still have a small lower stomach pooch.

Things i have noticed;
waist and hips come in a bit
my legs slimmed around the knee area
butt higher, but not smaller
stomach seems slightly pulled in and maybe a bit lifted in the lower area- but still having the same overall proportion of top being flat and lower area pooching out a bit.

I dont know why I do not get the results of those who have been successful-
I have no advice;
but only say that I commiserate with those in a similar situation!

Someone once said Callan said that you would get results even if you were 80% wrong;
well I would say that I am probably about 80% right;
but have got negligible results for all the effort expended.

I will still probably continue Callanetics- but have quietly and sadly given up on being hopeful about things like saddlebags (major), and lower belly pooch (minor)

All the best
Nola

[Jomaree]

Hey guys

Been offline for the past month. Sandra...can you still buy Callenetics Evolution in Australia??

[slendercate]

Hi, started CAllanetics again, pulled out the old tapes and got started again.

Here is to a slimmer me in 09.


Love reading all the posts.


Really motivating.

[LoriMarie]

I am back from the land of wisdom teeth surgery and have my 10 in 10 done for today!

The posts from people who have not seen the dramatic results that people on the forum have had with Callanetics are making me a bit nervous. My next session will be my 10th and I do not think I look 10 years younger yet. I have taken before measurements and I do not plan on checking them until the end of December. I want to give myself a month before checking. I am hoping some of the seasoned Callanetics users have some good advice because I have to say that one of my fears is that Callanetics will work for everyone but me....

I am wondering if the cardio and diet combined with the Callanetics is the key. Not the Callanetics alone...

Anyway I am still hanging in there and really hoping to see results soon...

Lori

[chantyl03]

I got hour 5 of 10 complete today!

[Sandrahanna]

Originally Posted by nola baxter

Hi

For ElaineK and Sky, and anyone else who is not getting results- or not many results.
I have been doing Callanetics for 13 months now and have not got the results I desire either;
I have had no size loss
No improvement of saddlebags- which was the main reason I started Callanetics- they are my biggest bugbear and have been ever since I got them at puberty- I have turned myself inside out over the years to try and eliminate them to no avail.
I still have a small lower stomach pooch.

Things i have noticed;
waist and hips come in a bit
my legs slimmed around the knee area
butt higher, but not smaller
stomach seems slightly pulled in and maybe a bit lifted in the lower area- but still having the same overall proportion of top being flat and lower area pooching out a bit.

I dont know why I do not get the results of those who have been successful-
I have no advice;
but only say that I commiserate with those in a similar situation!

Someone once said Callan said that you would get results even if you were 80% wrong;
well I would say that I am probably about 80% right;
but have got negligible results for all the effort expended.

I will still probably continue Callanetics- but have quietly and sadly given up on being hopeful about things like saddlebags (major), and lower belly pooch (minor)

All the best
Nola

Hi Nola,

I'm sorry to read this after all your efforts. I have seen people get results from doing the exercises totally incorrect even if it's just improved flexibility or a stronger and more youthful neckline. Students generally tone quicker where they are stronger be it abs, legs or buttocks.

Some people naturally have curvier hips which can make it look like they have saddlebags. It's a question of whether they are flabby or toned saddlebags. If you are isolating the muscles in the leg effectively with maximal length through the leg as you pulse your outer thighs should be toned and definitely not flabby.

Another factor can be, and I see this a great deal in my studio, is that when a student wants to desperately change a part of their body they try too hard and 'muscle in' and unconsciously contract the muscles they want to train. It's important to relax and let go even the muscles you are training. This becomes easier as you become stronger.

Good luck with your goal Nola

[nola baxter]

Hi Sandra

Thankyou for your post.
I do have very firm high saddlebags- but they just stick out so much (particularly on one side); but they do look kind of soft and yucky on account of having cellulite ( another one of those things I have never been able to get rid of , in spite of trying many things..).


I just find it so hard with clothes- always having a big bulge out the side,
never being able to look good in fitted stuff- and always having clothes that fit me otherwise, being tight and ill-fitting in this area.
I honestly see it as a bit of a curse; and find it especially painful because I have always exercised like crazy and tried everything.


I have definitely tried to muscle in on the area at times;
although I have backed off doing this- I think.

It just seems I cant get rid of them no matter what- even when I am bone thin (I am not currently) and highly exercised I still have saddlebag presentation..
My sister had lipo on hers- and she is bone thin and fit..

I appreciate the support nonetheless
Nola

[sweettooth]

Hi everybody!
I must admit I had a rest the past 2 days, so I didn't workout...
I'll try to catch uo these days..Anyway I studied past questions and answers I've found in the challenges of previous months and, as usual, I've come up with a few questions :

1. I was reading about the kneeling excercise of SuperC, the one with your leg straight. Sandra said

When are doing the kneeling straight leg you can intensify this by spiraling the leg outwards from the hip socket. You can create this spiral by tightening the pelvic floor muscles or you can actively spiral the muscle by turning your knee out and up towards the ceiling. This creates a 3D wrapping of the muscles through the leg and trains even deeper. Fantastic for erasing saddlebags.

I've tried it...Fantastic!!!I was so sore after only 20 pulses... But shall I pulse up and down or back and forth, or it's just the same?

2. I've read that "ballistic stretch" , the once proposed by Callan, can be dangerous. Is it true? Personally, if I didn't bounce I wouldn't be able to stretch immediatly so I find it the only possible way to do that...

3. I've been skimming a lot of answers of the past months, and tried to learn all of your tips and hints...Why don't we start a thread for newbies, like me, in which we can find all the basic concepts about proper form, alignment, counterpulls etc? I've read the one about the PF which is really interesting...
I could start it copying and pasting what I found useful to start up...Will you join me?

Nice day to you all!

[ellenalesa]

I was reading Realfoodmom's post, and Nola's. My butt is higher, too. That's a good thing. I just wish it would hurry up and pull in already. I told my instuctor the other day that if this keeps up I'm going to be wearing my a$$ for earrings...LOL....

I think it just takes time for it all to pull in and come together. I am doing cardio in addition because I am still taking off weight and have about another 50 pounds to shed.

I can feel my leg muscles. I never *had* leg muscles before. My legs were always mushy, even when I was weight training...my legs never felt hard like this. I can't wait to see what I look like as I get rid of my extra padding!

I just keep visualing "the great unveiling" of my new figure in the spring. I am going to continue working my butt off during the winter. Literally.

Hang in there!

[WATCH-ME-SHRINK]

Originally Posted by eates91999

Thanks twyla! Also, how has callanetics affected your level of flexibility ? I'm not flexible at all, so i'm really, really hoping callanetics will help. If you are more flexible thanks to Callanetics, has this changed the appearance of your muscles in any way? Do they look longer? Anyone else care to answer? Thank you!!

Eates, it has TOTALLY increased my flexibility. It's not that I wasn't flexible before, because I've exercised pretty much my whole life and that has helped. But once I began Callanetics, it was most certainly a whole new level. The lengthening and flexibility in my legs is noticeable both visibly and through my increased mobility, such as when doing high-endurance cardio (ex. kickboxing or running).

I'm 48 years old, and I can with total ease sit and hold the bottoms of my heels, lie my chest on the ground in front of me, practice all Callan stretches with ease, and I never have issues with everyday tasks that involve reaching or extending. I've enjoyed far better rest at night and no longer suffer from back "glitches" that used to crop up without notice from time to time and keep me impaired for days at a time. I attribute ALL of this to regularly practicing Callanetics.

This is why I'm always encouraging people to stay with Callanetics. Yes, it works wonders for strengthening and toning, but its therapeutic effects are so remarkable that it can be advantageous to anyone, any age, both sexes, and for life.

The best.

Kellie love your new avatar, and glad you're back and up and running.

Nola, I'm so sorry to hear about your lack of progress with your goals. You would be the perfect "project" for someone to take on, to understand why you're impeded, and what approach is key for you.

I wish you the best.

[sunrise lady]

Me too, Nola. I wish there were some way you could take a class with someone for form correction. I'm totally nowhere near expert enough to be able to say anything more except good luck!

Another hour of evolution done, slow month for me, this is only my 2nd full session, though I did the legs the day before as well. My legs feel soooo good afterward, I prefer doing them first to get them out of the way!

[ofo]

One hour of 10/10 done today.

[CherryBlast]

Originally Posted by nola baxter

Hi Sandra

Thankyou for your post.
I do have very firm high saddlebags- but they just stick out so much (particularly on one side); but they do look kind of soft and yucky on account of having cellulite ( another one of those things I have never been able to get rid of , in spite of trying many things..).


I just find it so hard with clothes- always having a big bulge out the side,
never being able to look good in fitted stuff- and always having clothes that fit me otherwise, being tight and ill-fitting in this area.
I honestly see it as a bit of a curse; and find it especially painful because I have always exercised like crazy and tried everything.


I have definitely tried to muscle in on the area at times;
although I have backed off doing this- I think.

It just seems I cant get rid of them no matter what- even when I am bone thin (I am not currently) and highly exercised I still have saddlebag presentation..
My sister had lipo on hers- and she is bone thin and fit..

I appreciate the support nonetheless
Nola

I do have very firm high saddlebags- but they just stick out so much (particularly on one side); but they do look kind of soft and yucky on account of having cellulite ( another one of those things I have never been able to get rid of , in spite of trying many things..).
[COLOR=Blue]
Nola,
I was just reading your post and picked up on this, you (as most of do) a weaker side hence the saddlebags sticking out more on one side. Go back and double check your form and make sure that you are using all of the Callanetics Concepts correctly, even if you are using 10/10, Super C, etc. I had that happen to me when i was following the book and using 10/10, then i changed over to Super C and followed WW for about a month and half. Next thing i know, no more saddlebags what so ever.

[/COLOR]

[CherryBlast]

Back on track did 1 hour of [COLOR=Blue]SUPER CALLANETICS[/COLOR]

[laurakitty]

1 hr o f 10/10

[CherryBlast]

Callanetics help: [COLOR=Blue]This was posted in the ML, i just pasted here[/COLOR]

I have this post in the exercise forum....but no one has responded....so I thought I would try it here on the main board.

So today was my first shot at callanetics, got the 10/10 dvd yesterday. I have done a search of the message board and couldn't find any thread devoted to beginning callanetics....so forgive me if these questions have been answered, but here are some of my questions:

1. Is it okay to break up the hour over 2 days? I did half of the dvd this morning then did some house work and came back and finished the dvd about 2 hours later...is this okay?

2. I had a very difficult time with the pelvic rotations....mainly because I could not stay in the kneeling position long enough to do the exercise...my feet kept cramping....badly. Any suggestions

3. I would love any tips from you seasoned Callanetic users.....TIA
__________________

[CherryBlast]

Originally Posted by siamesegirl

Callanetics help: [COLOR=Blue]This was posted in the ML, i just pasted here[/COLOR]

I have this post in the exercise forum....but no one has responded....so I thought I would try it here on the main board.

So today was my first shot at callanetics, got the 10/10 dvd yesterday. I have done a search of the message board and couldn't find any thread devoted to beginning callanetics....so forgive me if these questions have been answered, but here are some of my questions:

1. Is it okay to break up the hour over 2 days? I did half of the dvd this morning then did some house work and came back and finished the dvd about 2 hours later...is this okay?

2. I had a very difficult time with the pelvic rotations....mainly because I could not stay in the kneeling position long enough to do the exercise...my feet kept cramping....badly. Any suggestions

3. I would love any tips from you seasoned Callanetic users.....TIA
__________________

If you want to break it up that is fine, of course it is better if you can do it all in one shot.But if you don't have time, break it up

Aaahh yes, those killer pelvic rotations You can place a rolled towel or small cushion under your feet that shold clear up the cramping.


[COLOR=Blue][/COLOR]

[vfCookie]

1 hour of 10/10 done.

[enjoy]

DId evolution for the first time, quite a work out. I have to watch it over again to make sure I follow smoothly. 8 hrs total for the month.