December Callanetics Challenge

[vfCookie]

30 minutes cardio callanetics last night.

[planetbenjamin]

I did Callanetics today but I did it on the PowerPlate at the gym. Has anyone tried that? My butt is killing me! It's jut a vibrating plate and I thought it was probably a load of rubbish. But I tried a few Callanetics exercises on there and it did intensify them quite significantly. I can really feel it in my thighs and butt. I did one of the stomach exercises on there and it was good but it made me feel sick! I could only do about 30 seconds. I don't quite understand how it works but I'll try a few more exercises tomorrow.

....Sandra/Noreen, we should look at creating "PowerPlate Callanetics".

[KlingonBabe]

I bet the PowerPlate works because it's continually de-stabilizing your body, so your muscles have to micro-adjust on a constant basis, as you're trying to hold a position.

[CherryBlast]

Originally Posted by planetbenjamin

I did Callanetics today but I did it on the PowerPlate at the gym. Has anyone tried that? My butt is killing me! It's jut a vibrating plate and I thought it was probably a load of rubbish. But I tried a few Callanetics exercises on there and it did intensify them quite significantly. I can really feel it in my thighs and butt. I did one of the stomach exercises on there and it was good but it made me feel sick! I could only do about 30 seconds. I don't quite understand how it works but I'll try a few more exercises tomorrow.

....Sandra/Noreen, we should look at creating "PowerPlate Callanetics".

Just thinking about it makes my tummy sick! Plus i was up all night sick as a dog.

[laurakitty]

Originally Posted by planetbenjamin

I did Callanetics today but I did it on the PowerPlate at the gym. Has anyone tried that? My butt is killing me! It's jut a vibrating plate and I thought it was probably a load of rubbish. But I tried a few Callanetics exercises on there and it did intensify them quite significantly. I can really feel it in my thighs and butt. I did one of the stomach exercises on there and it was good but it made me feel sick! I could only do about 30 seconds. I don't quite understand how it works but I'll try a few more exercises tomorrow.

....Sandra/Noreen, we should look at creating "PowerPlate Callanetics".

Ooooo, I did the powerplate a few times when I was at a spa two years ago- it was great!

I haven't been able to do Callanetics for the last few days as I pulled something in my back and my whole upper back has been spasming in pain ever since then. I don't know what to do- I want to do Callanetics but it just hurts so much. is there anything I could do to make it feel better sooner?

[nola baxter]

Hi Klingon Babe

You must have the wrong person;
I am 5 ft 2 in
But I do not weight 108;
I dont know what I do weigh in fact as I have not weighed for a while;
However I am solidly built and a normal bodyfat level has me at about 140 pounds..

Would be nice to weigh 108!

Nola

[enjoy]

Did an hr of 10/10. This is the 10th for the challenge, it feels real good!

[ofo]

One hour of Evolution done today

[KlingonBabe]

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?

Aside from your expectations?

[KlingonBabe]

Originally Posted by nola baxter

Hi Klingon Babe

You must have the wrong person;
I am 5 ft 2 in
But I do not weight 108;
I dont know what I do weigh in fact as I have not weighed for a while;
However I am solidly built and a normal bodyfat level has me at about 140 pounds..

Would be nice to weigh 108!

Nola

My apologies, Nola.

[LoriMarie]

Originally Posted by laurakitty

I haven't been able to do Callanetics for the last few days as I pulled something in my back and my whole upper back has been spasming in pain ever since then. I don't know what to do- I want to do Callanetics but it just hurts so much. is there anything I could do to make it feel better sooner?

Laurakitty...I have a book called Callanetics for Your Back....

Amazon.com: Callanetics for Your Back: Callan Pinckney:...

I have never read it but maybe it would help.

I hope you feel better. After three of my four pregnancies I would throw my back out about 6-8 months post partum. I feel for you...I ended up going to the chiropractor and taking flexeril... Not fun...Hang in there.

Lori

[LoriMarie]

Originally Posted by planetbenjamin

I did Callanetics today but I did it on the PowerPlate at the gym. Has anyone tried that? My butt is killing me! It's jut a vibrating plate and I thought it was probably a load of rubbish. But I tried a few Callanetics exercises on there and it did intensify them quite significantly. I can really feel it in my thighs and butt. I did one of the stomach exercises on there and it was good but it made me feel sick! I could only do about 30 seconds. I don't quite understand how it works but I'll try a few more exercises tomorrow.

....Sandra/Noreen, we should look at creating "PowerPlate Callanetics".

What is "The PowerPlate"???

Lori

[planetbenjamin]

Originally Posted by LoriMarie

What is "The PowerPlate"???

Lori

It's a machine that you stand on and it vibrates like crazy!

You can do loads of different Callanetics exercises on it.

[Sandrahanna]

Originally Posted by LoriMarie

Noreen...thanks for the pics...I can't tell you how much before and after pics motivate me. I never get tired of them... You look fantastic...

Today I did Evolution again. I agree with jessiekayq that doing Evolution is like having a friend in the room with Sandra. Also when I read your posts now Sandra I hear your awesome accent....

Today was ten sessions of Callanetics completed. My eating has not been good because of the wisdom teeth removed...I ate a whole thing (1.5 Quarts) of Peppermint Stick Ice Cream in three days, immediately following surgery. I notice with me if I eat alot of sweets or white carbs I get really poofy...actually to be honest I think I look about 3-4 months pregnant in the belly.

With that said I think in spite of what I have been eating my stomach is not as poofy...I only look 2 months pregnant... and my flabby underarms are improved in my opinion.

So I am anxiously awaiting my one month mark and even more the end of January when all these tempting treats are gone...to measure and see how much I have improved.

I really do thank each of you that post on the board. It helps so much to be accountable to someone and also to read what you each go through which, encourages, teaches, and motivates.

Have a great day!

Lori

Thank you Jessie and Lori that's about one of the loveliest things that could be said

I agree this thread is so fantastic with everyone motivating and inspiring. When I find I haven't had a second to check in to the thread I really feel that I've missed something at the end of the day.

Happy Pulsing

[Sandrahanna]

Originally Posted by siamesegirl

I found some photos.

This one was taken in the fall 2006, i had given birth in March of 2006 and i was doing Joyce Verdal only.


At Verona for a Toby Keith concert. Looking back i can see how much heavier i was. winter of 007


This was before i started to train to become a Callanetics Teacher. Spring of 2008


During my training.....Spring/Summer 2008


After while doing Super C, it did not take me long to get results....Summer 2008

Noreen, You're results are wonderful. It's so great that you have these to show your students. Prepare for more sculpting and body alignment changes when you start to teach regularly

[Sandrahanna]

Originally Posted by kelliebel

[COLOR="Blue"]Thanks, Twyla

We are still without power. I am finding it difficult to exercise here at my parent's house! I like to do Callanetics when no one is home and I can concentrate. That is not possible here. I start and have to stop all the time, so yesterday I didn't even try they are saying we will be without power until Saturday now!!![/COLOR]

Wow, this must be hard for you. We really take so many things, like electricity, for granted...until we are without it. I hope everything is back to normal for you soon Kellie.

[Sandrahanna]

Originally Posted by ellenalesa

My instructor told me that sometimes as you learn to engage the PF, you feel very crampy. I'm wondering if that's what's happening. I felt my abs all day and now I have a crampy feeling that's not hormonal.

I'm probably going to take a day of rest. I hate to do it, but I am trying to respect my body.

I will go Wed. and Thurs. so I can still get 4 times in this week (my week starts on Monday).

Has anyone else experienced this?

I've experienced this period pain crampy feel also from engaging the pelvic floor. Last week I ended up teaching 7 hours back to back and by the end of the day I was aware of the cramps. Even though I'm not doing the exercises when I teach, every time I say "engage the pelvic floor" I'm doing it also

[Sandrahanna]

Originally Posted by nola baxter

Hi Noreen

Please dont be sorry- you didnt say anything wrong- I dont want to negate or depreciate what you have said - and I do appreciate you and everyone else trying to help.

However I have just got to the stage where I dont feel that doing the exercises longer, harder or with better form , is going to make the critical difference with me.

I still think the key to the kind of saddlebags I have must lie in this;
Physio-Dynamics -
They are talking about the femur being out of the socket- creating an extra width in that area; and then fat accumulating around this inactive area.

It makes total sense when I consider my figure- where it seems to jut out in that area- almost in a structural fashion.

Also tightening and toning the area with whatever exercise I have tried; Aerobics, Weight-training, T-tapp, Callanetics - results in no reduction in size- and no real improvement in look- the saddlebag area still jutts out just as much; in fact firm high saddlebags probably stick out more than soft saggy ones!

Losing weight results in some reduction in size; but only at the point where I have lost nearly all body-fat; and am thinner than I can healthily maintain.


However -
the solution to this problem as suggested on this link ;
tucking butt, squeezing etc.., and the exercises suggested;

I have done all these things as hard and as well as I can- to the nth degree;
first with T-tapp , for 2.5 yrs ; then with Callanetics ,13 mths ; and also by following the instructions and exercises on this page (which are basically very similar to both T-tapp and Callanetics).

I also taught myself to tuck butt while walking and running,
and now I have taught myself to activate the pelvic floor while walking;
and also to tuck butt and activate pelvic floor while walking..

None of these things has resulted in any improvement of saddlebags- except maybe to harden and lift them a bit.

I am not saying these things to be negative;
but that is just the way it is;
I am still searching for a solution;
while endeavouring to try and bring the femur back into the socket (presuming that is the problem);
by doing all of the above stuff(because it is the only thing I know- although it has not worked as yet);
tucking butt , sqeezing, Callanetics exercises, etc..

In one part of me I feel there must be a solution; I dont feel it should be the bodies natural structure to look like this- it spoils the natural line of the figure..
However at times I feel quite demoralized- and that there is no hope .


All the best
Nola

Nola, I put credence in to this, thank you for referring me to this site. I have a student, who's only young (21) and has the same problem. The saddlebags are not that obvious but she is very toned and yet there is still that outward curve. I feel, in her case, it's a posture issue, she tends to stand pushed forward on her hips which then tip back. It's lucky that she's started Callanetics early and now aware of this otherwise eventually she would have a flat, shaved off butt and protruding tummy. There does seem to be a measure of improvement and she says she's constantly checking her alignment. She works in retail so is constantly on her feet so this is a challenge for her.

It's almost like there's a market for some special clothing apparatus to deal with this misalignment.

[Sandrahanna]

Originally Posted by planetbenjamin

I did Callanetics today but I did it on the PowerPlate at the gym. Has anyone tried that? My butt is killing me! It's jut a vibrating plate and I thought it was probably a load of rubbish. But I tried a few Callanetics exercises on there and it did intensify them quite significantly. I can really feel it in my thighs and butt. I did one of the stomach exercises on there and it was good but it made me feel sick! I could only do about 30 seconds. I don't quite understand how it works but I'll try a few more exercises tomorrow.

....Sandra/Noreen, we should look at creating "PowerPlate Callanetics".

I've never tried this...but will now. Another book Ben?

[Terra2721]

I just completed my 2nd hour of 10/10. I am trying my best to take each one of my callanetic sessions and learn something new and focus on form. I certainly feel the results of the muscles working during the exercises. My only problem is I am unable to sit on my knees to do the pelvic rotations/scoop and thigh stretch....when I do so I get very bad cramps in my feet (have some nerve damage due to a lower back injury). Does anyone know of any modifications I could that do not involve sitting on my knees? I would also LOVE any tips you may have, since I am a newbie at this whole thing. TIA

[KlingonBabe]

Originally Posted by Terra2721

I just completed my 2nd hour of 10/10. I am trying my best to take each one of my callanetic sessions and learn something new and focus on form. I certainly feel the results of the muscles working during the exercises. My only problem is I am unable to sit on my knees to do the pelvic rotations/scoop and thigh stretch....when I do so I get very bad cramps in my feet (have some nerve damage due to a lower back injury). Does anyone know of any modifications I could that do not involve sitting on my knees? I would also LOVE any tips you may have, since I am a newbie at this whole thing. TIA

I hope this helps.

Originally Posted by planetbenjamin

Here you go.


This is a picture from the Beginning Callanetics DVD. You can see each person is doing it differently. The lady on the right is doing the pelvic rotation in a chair. She has lifted herself up on the arms of the chair and doing her rotations that way. Would that work for you?? Let us know how you get on.

[elainek]

Originally Posted by nola baxter

Hi Klingon Babe

You must have the wrong person;
I am 5 ft 2 in
But I do not weight 108;
I dont know what I do weigh in fact as I have not weighed for a while;
However I am solidly built and a normal bodyfat level has me at about 140 pounds..

Would be nice to weigh 108!

Nola

Hello Klingon. I am the one who wrote that. I may actually be 109lbs did not use calculator to work it out from kilos. Anyway, maybe I am being unrealistic but even though I am small I would like to have a 24/25 inch waist and thighs 20 inches. I am currently 26 waist 21.3/4 thighs. Body fat % if I am doing it correctly 21%

I have seen "stats" of others and they are smaller. 19inch thighs and they look fit and trim.

I did a more intense workout doing half Evolution legs/bum/hips one day but getting the tremor and bounce in the legs then stopping and with a feeling of being more relaxed, in that "Oh well! It will come enjoy yourself." And the next day hips and bums 10/10 and Evolution stomach and pelvic exercises from both dvd's. If I keep that up for a month I bet I see a difference. As Sandra says Relax and enjoy.

Sorry long post.

[WATCH-ME-SHRINK]

Originally Posted by Terra2721

I just completed my 2nd hour of 10/10. I am trying my best to take each one of my callanetic sessions and learn something new and focus on form. I certainly feel the results of the muscles working during the exercises. My only problem is I am unable to sit on my knees to do the pelvic rotations/scoop and thigh stretch....when I do so I get very bad cramps in my feet (have some nerve damage due to a lower back injury). Does anyone know of any modifications I could that do not involve sitting on my knees? I would also LOVE any tips you may have, since I am a newbie at this whole thing. TIA

Terra,

I think I had excerpted the following tips below from the April 2008 Challenge (if you want to fully search that on LCF), but here are Sandra's tips regarding your knee issues on the pelvic rotations. Klingon's pic is helpful too.

You can also do the pelvic exercises standing. This is how I get my 'dodgy knees' students to do them. They are also a great workout for the thighs, so I often teach them to a full class.

Stand at barre/support with your feet hip width apart (measure from hip bones not high wide you think your hips are). Engage the pelvic floor or tighten the base of the behind and stretch up.

Then bend your legs aligning your knees in the middle of your feet and sit back keeping your shoulders over your hips.
Your back is relaxed and long.

Now start your rotations as is instructed on the DVD.

TIPS:

Stay stretched up out of pelvis, don't allow yourself to sink down as this puts extra pressure on your knees.

Only lower your pelvis enough so that your knees don't hurt. The deeper you bend the knees the deeper you'll be working your thighs.

As your thighs become stronger you'll feel less pain in the knees.

Don't allow your back to arch when you rotate to the side - allow your behind in slide smoothly across.

When you curl to the front focus on really stretching up through the spine to intensify and again, to take weight of legs......
(Sandra - April 2008)

[kelley17]

Originally Posted by elainek

Hello Klingon. I am the one who wrote that. I may actually be 109lbs did not use calculator to work it out from kilos. Anyway, maybe I am being unrealistic but even though I am small I would like to have a 24/25 inch waist and thighs 20 inches. I am currently 26 waist 21.3/4 thighs. Body fat % if I am doing it correctly 21%

I have seen "stats" of others and they are smaller. 19inch thighs and they look fit and trim.

I did a more intense workout doing half Evolution legs/bum/hips one day but getting the tremor and bounce in the legs then stopping and with a feeling of being more relaxed, in that "Oh well! It will come enjoy yourself." And the next day hips and bums 10/10 and Evolution stomach and pelvic exercises from both dvd's. If I keep that up for a month I bet I see a difference. As Sandra says Relax and enjoy.

Sorry long post.

I think you need to do like Callan says - "stop comparing yourself to others" Your body fat percentage is very low - any lower and you are an Athlete (and I mean professional):

General Body Fat Percentage Categories

Classification Women (% fat) Men (% fat)
Essential Fat 10-12% 2-4%
Athletes 14-20% 6-13%
Fitness 21-24% 14-17%
Acceptable 25-31% 18-25%
Obese 32% plus 25% plus
*American Council on Exercise

I think you ladies are being too hard on yourselves. We can all improve posture, tone, but when it comes down to it we are stuck with what the Big Man Upstairs gave us. I too would like to have thinner thighs, but I'm a muscular girl and I can only slim them down so much without getting dangerously thin (I'm 5'2'' and when I get below 118 I look ill - gaunt face)

JMHO

[sunrise lady]

first half of AM/PM done....

[CherryBlast]

1 hour of Super C done!

[KlingonBabe]

I've been rotating 10/10 and Evolution for a month. Today I'll be doing my 12th hour, and I'm wondering about Cardio Callanetics, and Super Callanetics. I'm considering giving myself the DVDs as a gift, for the holidays or something.

I've been alternating with Couch to 5K, and the balance feels right. Before, I was doing too much high intensity cardio (4-5 hours/week), and my appetite was out of control. Now that I've been doing about 90 minutes cardio a week, plus 4 hours callanetics, I feel much better, not as glycogen-depleted.

I am liking the results I'm getting. I haven't measured, but I can see and feel a difference in my clothes and body. Points of tension are releasing. My husband says I'm standing taller. And I look curvier in the mirror.

[jessiekayq]

Originally Posted by nola baxter

I still think the key to the kind of saddlebags I have must lie in this;
Physio-Dynamics -
They are talking about the femur being out of the socket- creating an extra width in that area; and then fat accumulating around this inactive area.

Thanks for the above information Nola, although after reading it I feel like I've been standing/sitting wrong my whole life. I spent about 30 minutes walking around with my pelvis tucked under. Not only did my lower back pain completely disappear immediately.... but I felt like standing that way was causing me to naturally engage my pelvic floor. Sandra, Noreen any thoughts on that?

[Sandrahanna]

Originally Posted by kelley17

I think you need to do like Callan says - "stop comparing yourself to others" Your body fat percentage is very low - any lower and you are an Athlete (and I mean professional):

General Body Fat Percentage Categories

Classification Women (% fat) Men (% fat)
Essential Fat 10-12% 2-4%
Athletes 14-20% 6-13%
Fitness 21-24% 14-17%
Acceptable 25-31% 18-25%
Obese 32% plus 25% plus
*American Council on Exercise

I think you ladies are being too hard on yourselves. We can all improve posture, tone, but when it comes down to it we are stuck with what the Big Man Upstairs gave us. I too would like to have thinner thighs, but I'm a muscular girl and I can only slim them down so much without getting dangerously thin (I'm 5'2'' and when I get below 118 I look ill - gaunt face)

JMHO

Wonderful and wise words Kelley

It's important for self esteem that we all remain realistic about our goals. We must strive to be the best that we can possibly be at any given stage in our lives and NEVER compare ourselves to another. There is always someone out there looking at you thinking "I wish I could look like her" while we're busy admiring someone else.

[ScrtGrl]

How interesting! Just wanted to chime in quicky that when I first started making a point of engaging the PF regularly a few months ago (not only when doing Callanetics but in my everyday activities) I began having an ongoing muscle cramping (similar to a period) in my pelvis for about a week. It was very strange- I even went to the doctor to get checked out and had some tests done to be reassured that nothing was wrong. Once I knew that I was physically ok I began to wonder if it was because I was so focused on the PF! Guess it was!

BTW, it only lasted a week or so and is totally gone now.

Disclaimer: not saying you should assume any pelvic pain is from PF work- just saying I believe that was the case for me...