December Callanetics Challenge

[coll79]

Ohhh boy!

We have a stomach bug flying around our house, so with that and Christmas shopping and my babies never giving me the time....I have completed a mere 3 1/2 hours this month! I feel so behind!

Luckily, I have been reading the posts, have my motivation back and should be back on track tonight!

I definitely want to order Evolution, Super Callanetics and Cardio after reading the posts, especially the Cardio I'd love to see the Concepts chapter. I love the 10 in 10, but I think based on what I am reading here, I am missing some things....I am not 100% sure what it means to 'engage the pelvic floor' and I am not so sure what plies are so I will be ordering more video's soon!

I did have a great thing happen though....my husband told me that my legs look much smaller!!! Although he presented that in an oddway, I sure took it as a compliment!

Merry Christmas to all!

[enjoy]

Originally Posted by enjoy

An hr of evolution, 12th for the challenge, it was all about engaging the pf, I'm much more aware of that now.

Wrong count, I'm actually at #13.

[ellenalesa]

For the past couple of weeks, I've been doing it 4 x a week. I'm working with a master trainer who gives me a lot of attention. Although I finally felt my abs for the first time EVER, I haven't SEEN any results. I expected that I would pull in a lot, or see some other changes. I haven't seen ANY difference.

Like I said, I'm working with a trainer so I'm sure I'm doing the exercises properly. My eating has been clean. I haven't had any junk at all, which is in itself a miracle.

I'm also plateauing with my weight. I've been within a 2 pound range for a little over a month now.

I've added more cardio....maybe my body is just going to stay here for a little bit.

Any ideas?

[KlingonBabe]

Today, I *SHOULD* have gone running, but it was too friggin' cold, so I did an hour on the elliptical.

I finished sweaty, winded, needing a shower, and to unwind before eating... which made my dinner very late and I was very hungry.

That's something I totally love about Callanetics: it's not a huffing puffing sweaty workout. I don't need to wait an hour after breakfast to do it. I don't need to wait an hour after Callanetics to eat. I don't need to take a shower afterwards, so it really invades much less of my time than other workouts do.

And I still find it to be a very intense and effective workout.

[vfCookie]

Mornin all. Got up bright and early this morning and did Evolution. It was really nice to be able to do it before anyone in the family was awake... no interruptions, nice and relaxing.

Yesterday I did the couch to 5k week one (Kligonbabe - you're my inspiration!) plus the upper body premix from Squeeze stronger. I have been neglecting the arms with all the callanetics and want to do a bit more for the upper body.

Hope everyone is ready for the rest of the week!

[sweettooth]

Originally Posted by ellenalesa

For the past couple of weeks, I've been doing it 4 x a week. I'm working with a master trainer who gives me a lot of attention. Although I finally felt my abs for the first time EVER, I haven't SEEN any results. I expected that I would pull in a lot, or see some other changes. I haven't seen ANY difference.

Like I said, I'm working with a trainer so I'm sure I'm doing the exercises properly. My eating has been clean. I haven't had any junk at all, which is in itself a miracle.

I'm also plateauing with my weight. I've been within a 2 pound range for a little over a month now.

I've added more cardio....maybe my body is just going to stay here for a little bit.

Any ideas?

Hi Ellen,

I had the very same problem you are complaining about.This is my experience, it seems it's working...
I moved from my plateau when I started Callanetics a month and a half ago.
I 've been doing cardio 3x w and toning 2-3 x w for 3-4 months. Every time I went on the scale the results was always the same : I could not lose even half a pound.
Then I considered 2 things: the first is that muscles weight more than flesh, so even if my weight stayed the same, my muscles were more defined and toned. The second was that I had to change routine because my body wasn't challenged any more.
As a result, I took a break: I diminished my workouts taking 2 days off instead of one, and changed my routine: actually I am doing a different cardio workout 2 x w just to let my body guess: some days I feel it's my step day, the other can be aerobics, another one can be just a brisk walk...
And as for toning, I'm just doing 10/10 and some push-ups and some weights for the upper body.
Up to now, I've lost half a kilo since I started Callan: I know it's not that great result, but consider that I am 5.05 ft and my weight is now 119.
I should be 114. Two years ago I was 137 and the results I achieved are due to clean eating and cardio/toning as I told you, but I came to a point where nothing seemed to work.
I know I have my last pounds to lose and they are the most difficult one, but I'll keep up to good work, whatever it may take...
And the last thing I've learnt at my expense is this: give your body a rest, because if you work too much you may even slow your progress... And try not to be impatient: 2 weeks are a short period of time.
Sorry for the long post, I hope this will help you

Btw: I did my 9 hour of 10/10 for december, and I've completed 19 hours of 10/10 since mid november!
I haven't transformed in a super model like "Jean" but I lost 5 cm in my waist, probably because my abs were pretty toned even before doing Callan, and something is happening in my rear: when I'm doing the leg and behind exercises I can stand up more instead of lying close to the dust on the floor
Don't give up! Now I'm off to work...here in Italy it's a foggy day:hope it will improve...Nice day to you all!

[laurakitty]

1 hr of 10/10

[CherryBlast]

Ellenalsea,
Have you talked about your concerns with your Callanetics teacher? You are feeling abs exercises so that means you are working your core very,very deeply. You will see results soon enough, sometimes if your abs are the weakest area it may take longer.
Measure yourself today if you have not done it yet, then measure again in another 2 weeks.It really shows up there when measuring. And take photos.
You will see changes!

[Timmers]

Evolution number 9 this morning. My favorite part? I did it this morning in sweat pants and a tshirt, no need to wear the super duper bra for "the girls!" I am noticing changes, but seem to be getting wider in the hips, not sure I am crazy about that look, hope it changes!

Timmers

[Danipower714]

1 hour of Evolution completed.

[willBfit]

Originally Posted by Timmers

Evolution number 9 this morning. My favorite part? I did it this morning in sweat pants and a tshirt, no need to wear the super duper bra for "the girls!" I am noticing changes, but seem to be getting wider in the hips, not sure I am crazy about that look, hope it changes!

Timmers

I LOVE this part of Callanetics! And getting to be barefoot. of course, the results are the best part but these perks are awesome!

[LoriMarie]

Evolution done for today...although my heart was not in it...I was really tired. I stayed up until midnight last night to watch a very, very stupid movie...I should have gone to bed ...which I will be doing now!

Have a great day tomorrow everyone. Keep up the good work!!

Lori

[SCYOGI]

sandra or ben....is it possible to hit a callanetics plateau? i don't know if i've hit a wall or the early results were so amazing! anyway, any suggestions on "mixing it up"?

happy holidays to all!

[kelley17]

Just finished another hour of 10/10 for December

[KlingonBabe]

Just completed an hour of Evolution.

This makes 11/15 for the December challenge.

[enjoy]

Did an hr of 10/10, I am interested in an answer to the hitting a plateau question.

[vfCookie]

Originally Posted by kelley17

Just finished another hour of 10/10 for December

Gorgeous avatar!!!

I want that coat.

[kelley17]

Originally Posted by vfCookie

Gorgeous avatar!!!

I want that coat.

Thank you I've gotten so many compliments the last couple of days

[planetbenjamin]

Have a merry Christmas everyone. We are just packing up to spend the holidays with my parents. See you when we get back xxx

[vfCookie]

Ben - have a wonderful time at your parents' home. Are you still covered in glitter?

Merry Christmas to all and may we all have a healthy and happy New Year.

[Sandrahanna]

Merry Christmas beautiful LCF ladies and handsome gent and Happy New Year

[Sakinah]

hi all i have been slacking big time
looking forward to jumping in on januarys challenge

got a question, i know callanetics is good for double chin
will it also help with jowls? im irish/scottish background and this kind of drooping is in my heritage, really hoping to avoid it but i see it starting!

[enjoy]

Merry Christmas to all, may the new year bring all your hearts desire!

[CherryBlast]

[COLOR=red]MERRY CHRISTMAS![/COLOR]
[COLOR=#ff0000]I'll be gone for while.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#ff0000]See you in the 2009[/COLOR]

[willBfit]

Merry Christmas everybody!!!!

[LoriMarie]

10 in 10 done for today...

Have a great day.

Lori

[sweettooth]

Another hour of 10/10 completed!!!!!

Happy Christmas to you all!!!!

[Sandrahanna]

Originally Posted by ellenalesa

For the past couple of weeks, I've been doing it 4 x a week. I'm working with a master trainer who gives me a lot of attention. Although I finally felt my abs for the first time EVER, I haven't SEEN any results. I expected that I would pull in a lot, or see some other changes. I haven't seen ANY difference.

Like I said, I'm working with a trainer so I'm sure I'm doing the exercises properly. My eating has been clean. I haven't had any junk at all, which is in itself a miracle.

I'm also plateauing with my weight. I've been within a 2 pound range for a little over a month now.

I've added more cardio....maybe my body is just going to stay here for a little bit.

Any ideas?

Have you seen any changes at all since starting the program? Or have the changes just stopped. You may need to start intensifying and more focus on each concept.

Make sure that you chat to your Instructor about this so that knows where you are. The more she knows what is going on the more she can help you.

It may mean that you need to focus more on tightening the pelvic floor and conscious stretching out from the pelvis through the counterpulls. You do this as you are pulsing or holding a stretch. Never just get in to position and pulse it's vital that you continue to engage deeper and deeper and lengthen out further and further as you pulse. It takes total focus until each exercise brings you in to almost a meditative state.

The reason why we do this total and conscious stretching out from the pelvic floor is that when you activate the pelvic floor muscles it provides you more room for length and alignment. So, while you are pulsing and as you tighten deeper this allows you room to stretch out even further from the pelvis.

As you continue to stretch out in both directions and relaxing your body totally, you'll be working even deeper in to the core and will promote quicker pulling in of your body.

Maybe try taking one concept each week and mastering it and see if that makes a difference.

It's so difficult to say why you aren't seeing results without seeing you work. Another thought, how about taking a couple of weeks off exercise totally. Restart and see what happens. You won't have to start back from scratch so don't worry about that aspect.

But please do talk to your teacher she will guide you through each concept and encourage intensifications while she works along side you.

Good luck

[KlingonBabe]

Dear Sandra,

I just have to say how MUCH it helps to remember to engage the pelvic floor. For some reason, once I tighten the PF, the muscles isolate so much better, because those muscles aren't straying into the exercises.

I did a run today, and, since I had slacked off on Wednesday and Thursday, I added an hour of 10/10. oof! That was TOUGH! Especially the pelvic scoops!

[Sandrahanna]

Originally Posted by Timmers

Evolution number 9 this morning. My favorite part? I did it this morning in sweat pants and a tshirt, no need to wear the super duper bra for "the girls!" I am noticing changes, but seem to be getting wider in the hips, not sure I am crazy about that look, hope it changes!

Timmers

Your body is lifting up which is great news. More focus on stretching out through counterpulls as you train (more on that in previous post). I just can't stress enough the benefits of lengthening the body out of the hips while training, of course keeping the pelvic floor super tight at the same time.

Try to follow Karen's form as much as you can. When you do the waist exercise bend your legs as deep as possible. Keep the weight evenly distributed over the feet and stay lifted up off the legs. Relax the hip on the stretched side down and feel the waist stretch up. This exercise pulls the hips in quickly. You can add this during the day if you wish as a stand alone exercise to speed up the pulling in.

Good work though