December Callanetics Challenge

[vfCookie]

2nd half of Evolution done.

[realfoodmom]

Hour three of ten in ten done.
I'm eighteen hours in and have seen NO difference in my waist or hips. I have lost only one inch total (in my bust). I fairly certain I am doing them properly. Getting a bit frustrated.

[laurakitty]

1 hr of evolution

[Danipower714]

Another hour of 10 in 10 completed, for a total of 5 hours completed this week.

[o0Sparrow0o]

Just finished hour three of 10 in 10. I am wondering if I’ve been doing the warm up waist stretch correctly. I can feel it all the way down past my thigh but I also feel like I’m going to fall over. It feels like I’m doing a balancing act. I am trying to keep the PF active, relax, not scrunch the opposite side but stretch it, count… It’s a lot to think about! Is there anything I can do to be better balanced? I definitely feel taller when I finish this stretch! And hot, of all the 10-10 exercises the waist stretch gets me sweating the fastest.

[Sandrahanna]

Originally Posted by wrennyroo

Well normally I just cant seem to lift my knee off the floor at all which I expect being a beginner...

However, I did find the other night that I did manage to get my knee off the floor but then my muscle and top of my leg was sore straight away - like the beginning of cramp...

I've tried doing it with my forearm on the floor, with my ear above my shoulder and my shoulder above my elbow but then I dont feel like I'm working the muscle at all - plus I think I was having difficulty staying straight and tipping my hip forward.

Do I just need to find a longer surface (if that makes sense) so that I can hold on further to the left or right, depending on what hip I'm working of course?

Thanks for the input Sandra!

Absolutely,I know what you are saying If you want to use a barre to hold on to, as demonstrated in 10/10, then allow your body to slide over as far as needed to lift the knee up while keeping your hip relaxed and stable. Move your knee forward of your hip if you need to and this will help. Once you've lifted your knee move it back, if you're able, and then start to pulse.

Most beginners find that their knee will move forward when they lift and this is okay; in time your muscles will strengthen and you'll find it easier to lift keeping the knee even with hip.

The lying down position is also an excellent position for any level and bear in mind that the stronger your muscles are the more intense the exercise. So, you'll feel everything working much deeper.

[Sandrahanna]

Originally Posted by o0Sparrow0o

Just finished hour three of 10 in 10. I am wondering if I’ve been doing the warm up waist stretch correctly. I can feel it all the way down past my thigh but I also feel like I’m going to fall over. It feels like I’m doing a balancing act. I am trying to keep the PF active, relax, not scrunch the opposite side but stretch it, count… It’s a lot to think about! Is there anything I can do to be better balanced? I definitely feel taller when I finish this stretch! And hot, of all the 10-10 exercises the waist stretch gets me sweating the fastest.

Yes, keep your pelvic floor as tight as possible. It's your main stabilising muscle and will help to keep you balanced. Also, keep the weight of your body equalled balanced over your feet. Check that you're not pushing your hip over on the supporting side. Your hand will rest lightly on the outer thigh with your shoulders relaxed down to your hips.

If it's not a humid and hot day and you're sweating it could mean that you're putting a lot of energy in to the exercise. Try to relax more in to the position and breathe deeply. However, this is very common and normal in the beginning so don't worry; you'll find it easier to relax in time.

[Shimmer]

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.

[COLOR="RoyalBlue"]Thanks, this is helpful! I'll give it a try later this afternoon, good to know there are alternatives.[/COLOR]

[KlingonBabe]

Last night, I managed to do only 1/2 of my Evolution hour, and then my out-of-town guest arrived. Today, I'll do my run, and complete the workout.

[ThyckeCutie]

I have been MIA for a long time, I have been sick for some weeks, but Im in the challenge of course. Im going for 10-12hrs this month. Callanetics is getting better and better for me and its really starting to show. My body is tremendously stronger and more stretched then ever before.

Question - I know Im not crazy but Im stronger on my left side then my right but it is very noticeable, at least to me, that my right side is more flabby on my hips, behind,& side of my tummy. I can actually pinch the fat, it feels like its filled with water lol. But on my left side is much more nicely toned Am I not working the right side hard enough?

[realfoodmom]

I was wondering if the inner thigh squeeze is really effective. I don't feel very much while I am squeezing. Should I be squeezing just my feet against the chair or up my whole leg? I try to squeeze all the way up my leg, but I don't really feel like it is doing anything. Suggestions?

[chantyl03]

Well i havent managed to get back in the swing of things since thanksgiving (as far as exercise is concerned)... but i have a question...

I've been having cramps in my calfs everynight for the last 3 nights.... should i hold off on the callanetics (or the leg sections)? I don't want to exacerbate my problem.

[KlingonBabe]

Chantyl, I would actually do the Callanetics and focus a lot of energy on the S-T-R-E-T-C-H-I-N-G part of the leg exercises.

[chantyl03]

Originally Posted by KlingonBabe

Chantyl, I would actually do the Callanetics and focus a lot of energy on the S-T-R-E-T-C-H-I-N-G part of the leg exercises.

You know i was thinking that.... but i'm a real wuss and my poor calf hurts so much.... i will try it tonight... i cannot deal with that daily...

[vfCookie]

Thykecutie - I was wondering about you earlier today. Glad to see you back. I've heard that everyone has a "dominant" side. I know that my right side is stronger and my left fatigues quicker. One suggestion would be to start the exercises on your weaker side... if your right side is weaker, then do the exercises for that side first then the left. That way you are not already fatigued when starting to work the weaker side. (there is actually a video series that focuses on "non dominant" training.)

Chantyl - I have had problems with leg cramps and foot cramps for years. At one time I was told that it can be caused by a calcium deficiency. There are supplements available at Wal Mart in the US specifically for leg cramps (they were a huge problem for me while pregnant). You keep them by your bed at night and take one as needed. I feel for you darlin, cause I know how painful they are both during the cramp and the next day.

Did my hour of CardioCallanetics plus toning. That makes 3 hours for the week with a fourth scheduled for tomorrow. Had major trouble with the pelvic dip things today and will have to use one of the mods for a while because they hurt my knee. Glad Ben posted that pic!!!

[LoriMarie]

10 in 10 done for today...yippeee

Everyone have a great day...

Lori

[ellenalesa]

Do you eat bananas? I think it's the potassium that helps. Hope you're feeling better soon...

[TFJ]

Evolution done for the day!

[chantyl03]

Originally Posted by ellenalesa

Do you eat bananas? I think it's the potassium that helps. Hope you're feeling better soon...

i dont eat bananas but i do eat other potassium rich foods... it makes sense that it might be a vitamin deficiency, becuase i have been out of my multi vitamin for over a week...

[ellenalesa]

Please don't hate me for asking. I LOVE Callanetics (except the *$^@ ab work, LOL). Callanetics has helped me reshape my lower body, and I'm a believer. My question is, however, is, is it enough?

I do cardio. I do some light weight training. And I have finally found a reasonable way of eating that I can live with.

I was wondering if anyone here uses any of the other similar workouts...like, the Bar Method or Lotte Berk?

In weight training, you have to change the routine every so often to keep getting results, so, is it good to throw something else in once in awhile to mix things up?

Just wondering...

[Sandrahanna]

Originally Posted by ThyckeCutie

I have been MIA for a long time, I have been sick for some weeks, but Im in the challenge of course. Im going for 10-12hrs this month. Callanetics is getting better and better for me and its really starting to show. My body is tremendously stronger and more stretched then ever before.

Question - I know Im not crazy but Im stronger on my left side then my right but it is very noticeable, at least to me, that my right side is more flabby on my hips, behind,& side of my tummy. I can actually pinch the fat, it feels like its filled with water lol. But on my left side is much more nicely toned Am I not working the right side hard enough?

Hi, I wondered where you'd disappeared to; hope you are feeling better

I see this a lot in the studio. Women seem to be stronger on the left side, myself included, my butt is definitely higher and more rounded than the right side. I try to do extra pulses on my right side to keep the difference less noticeable. Not that anyone has ever said anything to me but I can see the difference when in bikinis or underwear. The left side of my face also is stronger and more toned.


Great to hear that you're mastering Callanetics. Are you finding it easier in the sense you don't have to put so much effort and energy in to it?

[KlingonBabe]

I finished my hour of Callanetics--and my run!!!! I rock.

[Sandrahanna]

Originally Posted by ellenalesa

Please don't hate me for asking. I LOVE Callanetics (except the *$^@ ab work, LOL). Callanetics has helped me reshape my lower body, and I'm a believer. My question is, however, is, is it enough?

I do cardio. I do some light weight training. And I have finally found a reasonable way of eating that I can live with.

I was wondering if anyone here uses any of the other similar workouts...like, the Bar Method or Lotte Berk?

In weight training, you have to change the routine every so often to keep getting results, so, is it good to throw something else in once in awhile to mix things up?

Just wondering...

I'm going to answer this question as a student of Callanetics for over 21 years. YES, most definitely Callanetics is enough for the toning side. There is absolutely no reason why you would need to do other programs other than to relieve boredom.

However, as I have my hands on over 100 different exercises this keeps my body guessing which is a must and that's why we added different pulses in the DVDs so that you, at home, can do the same thing. Same exercise but you are creating a different toning action which tricks the body and uses different muscles.

It really is a preference thing. I don't do any other program other than Callanetics for two reasons. One so that I can show what Callanetics can do for a body, regardless of age and two because I don't like to exercise particularly and my body just loves Callanetics and the instant results I get for just one session. Even if that session is only 15 minutes. Before I certified as a teacher I would go off and buy a new video or join the gym out of boredom but whenever I did it always brought me back to 10/10 pretty quickly.

Anyway, apologies for the long winded answer. Other than maybe extra upper body work if you're using 10/10 you don't need another program to supplement your Callanetics body sculpting workout.

For anyone using 10/10 I would really suggest adding push-ups anyway. Push-ups are fantastic for core strength and how it sculpts the arms and upper body. I teach them every class.

[Sandrahanna]

Originally Posted by KlingonBabe

I finished my hour of Callanetics--and my run!!!! I rock.

Yeh! you do rock

Don't forget to keep your pelvic floor engaged while you run

[KlingonBabe]

Originally Posted by Sandrahanna

Yeh! you do rock

Don't forget to keep your pelvic floor engaged while you run

I will work on that next time.

I'm pretty used to pelvic floor work from playing wind instruments, actually.

[Pokio]

Count me in! I am new to Callanetics... bought the DVD months ago but have been letting it gather dust, until I popped it in a couple nights ago and began anew! I've done 2 hours so far and I have a pretty busy month so I am aiming for 10. I feel great after the 2, can't wait to see how I look and feel after 10!

[laurakitty]

1 hr of 10/10

[Valcan]

Hi,

I just received Cardiocallanetics and tried it out today. Am I going to get good results with this DVD considering that I have never done any of the other Callanentics DVD's. Am I starting in the wrong place?

Has anyone done Oxycise? Is the pelvic movement similar to the movement in Oxycise or is it totally different? I am not sure I am doing it right.

Val

[sunrise lady]

An hour of evo done!

[kailis]

Hello,
I am new here, but I have read this thread for about 4 months now. I do Callanetics and I love it. I have done these exercises regularly for about 6 months and they have worked very well for me. Because I'm overall quite thin, then I can't say that I have lost many inches - but my body is firmer and more beautiful, so I'm really happy with that. I'm noticing that cellulite is beginning to disappear ...... I had some on my thighs, allthough my legs were thin, I couldn't wear shorts, because of the cellulite ... now so much better.
But, I have one question I was hoping someone here could answer. Can anyone explain to me what is the difference between Pilates and Callanetics? I have few friends doing Pilates and I tried to explain them, but I couldn't quite figure it out. Seems to me that Callanetics is more effective, but what is the secret then? How can this be explained?