February 2009 Callanetics Challenge

[Skinny Panda]

Okay done my 4th hour of 10/10 for Feb.

I don't think I see any difference, but I think I am feeling one. Don't know if that makes sense......

Also I am not sure I getting the most out of the pelvic exercises..........My body, I mean my pelvis just does not tip up that much..........I feel like it's something my body just won't do, rather than something it will eventually do......But I keep on trying it......

[catcookie]

I did the one hour this morning. so that makes 2 days am/pm and
1 day one hour.

[Romy@callan]

Done the toning part of cardio callanetics today - 3 out of 12 completed

[planetbenjamin]

Just done Beginning Callanetics. I love it as it's only about 40 mins so it's a bit like a quick top up session. Just what I needed!

[MindlessZombie]

Hi,

Can anyone help a panicked newbie? I bulked up quite a bit from callanetics alternated with a cardio DVD and I don't know what to do.

I bought 10/10 3 weeks ago & started out alternating 10/10 with a cardio DVD. The 10/10 did have noticably good effects (backside smaller & lifted, stomach smaller etc), but within a week my thighs and hips had bulked up so much that my trousers actually split!

I panicked and gave up - I want to get smaller, not bigger, and don't want to have to buy clothes in a bigger size. There are loads of squats, lunges and the like in the cardio DVD so I wonder if that's what caused my thighs and hips to bulk up that way? A few days ago I started doing 10/10 again every other day and my clothes are noticably looser, but I still need some cardio so I ordered CardioCallanetics, hoping it wouldn't have the same bulking up effect.

I've heard you shouldn't do callanetics 2 days in a row, always leave a day in between to give your muscles a chance to rest & recover. I've read of people who got better results doing callanetics every other day than they did from doing it every day.

So is it OK for me to do the whole of CC, including the toning, on alternate days from 10/10? Or should I just stick to the cardio half? And is there any danger of me bulking up? I just did the cardio section of CC today and (I'm probably being paranoid) but I swear my thighs are bigger & rubbing together more... Sorry for writing a novel but I have no idea what to do

[Cherryanne]

2nd hour of 10 in 10 done for Feb. This is my 9th hour overall and I'm still having to take breaks for my neck during the stomach exercises. Is there any hope that it will get better?

[Sandrahanna]

Originally Posted by Glamour P!

Hi all!
I know I have said this before but I am in for this challenge. I started off well, but lots of horrible life stuff happened and threw me right off of a lot. I have started this time properly as I have a pending surgery and want to ensure that recovery will be better and quicker if I am fitter, slimmer and healthier. I am on that road and am here! I started on Sunday the 1st, and only started with Callanetics for beginners to get to grip with the movements. Have done 2 half an hour sessions already and am due another tonight.
Sandrahanna (or any of you other Callanetics Veterans) I have noticed now and in the past that when I do the "saddlebag" move with my leg bent out in front and my other leg stretched out slightly behind me, I get pain and cramp in my hip - how can I alter my position to stop that happening. It only happens on my right hip, and it clicks and can be sore...any advice? How can I be sure that my postioning in correct and also when Callan says "tighten your behind", should (and no laughing please LoL!!) I be clenching my butt? Sorry for the questions...
Thanks in advance x

Hi,

Once you're in position try first bringing your leg slightly forward and see if that helps. If you're holding on to a barre you can also try sliding your hands further over so that you're leaning over more.

Callan instructs 'tighten your behind' as she was actually trying to get us to 'engage our pelvic floor muscles'. So instead of clenching your butt try just tightening the base of your behind and keep the upper buttocks relaxed.

We did use to have a link to a Pelvic Floor thread where there was more info on engaging the pelvic floor. If you go back to last month's thread you should find it on the first post by Siamesegirl.

I hope this helps. Let me know if you are still struggling.

[Sandrahanna]

Originally Posted by elainek

I have done a few Super C but substituted Evo Legs for SC legs. I am not sure what Callan means when she says in the ABS workout "get your balance point" I am assuming she means to get a shape of a C which means small of back lightly pressed into the floor (have not mastered melt into the floor) and curled up as much as you can? Am I on the correct path or not?
Thanks

Twyla has already answered this perfectly. The abs are the balance point along with the pelvic floor. Actually, the pelvic floor muscles are the main stabilising muscles.

[WATCH-ME-SHRINK]

Originally Posted by MindlessZombie

Hi,

Can anyone help a panicked newbie? I bulked up quite a bit from callanetics alternated with a cardio DVD and I don't know what to do.

I bought 10/10 3 weeks ago & started out alternating 10/10 with a cardio DVD. The 10/10 did have noticably good effects (backside smaller & lifted, stomach smaller etc), but within a week my thighs and hips had bulked up so much that my trousers actually split!

I panicked and gave up - I want to get smaller, not bigger, and don't want to have to buy clothes in a bigger size. There are loads of squats, lunges and the like in the cardio DVD so I wonder if that's what caused my thighs and hips to bulk up that way? A few days ago I started doing 10/10 again every other day and my clothes are noticably looser, but I still need some cardio so I ordered CardioCallanetics, hoping it wouldn't have the same bulking up effect.

I've heard you shouldn't do callanetics 2 days in a row, always leave a day in between to give your muscles a chance to rest & recover. I've read of people who got better results doing callanetics every other day than they did from doing it every day.

So is it OK for me to do the whole of CC, including the toning, on alternate days from 10/10? Or should I just stick to the cardio half? And is there any danger of me bulking up? I just did the cardio section of CC today and (I'm probably being paranoid) but I swear my thighs are bigger & rubbing together more... Sorry for writing a novel but I have no idea what to do

You should not be bulking with Callanetics. That is the VERY REASON I chose to stay with Callanetics over other forms of training for my lower body. I had bulked before, more than once, with heavy weight training. With Callanetics, I was able to tone, strengthen my thighs w/o the bulk.

It could be that the cardio DVD you were using might have had some bearing on the bulking. But my guess is you were experiencing water gain from the muscle development. It is not uncommon for muscles to swell a little with water weight in the beginning stages of training.

REmember to drink plenty of water, keep up with your cardio 2-3 x a week, and make sure you're not eating above your maintenance level of calories. If you eat more than you burn, and you're training, you will gain muscle/bulk.

I would just be patient and let your body catch up and adjust to the stress it's under, drink water, etc. Give it another 2-3 weeks, then reevaluate.

Hope that helps.

[Sandrahanna]

Originally Posted by mary761

Did 1 hour of 10/10 today. I don't think I am doing those bent leg hip exercises or the straight leg ones right either. I can't get my leg up off the floor at all unless I let go of the bar and lean off to the side, and that seems like it changes what muscles I am working. Any tips would be gratefully appreciated.

In the beginning most find it difficult to lift the leg. I generally don't worry about this and encourage them to use what ever muscles they have. I'm not sure how long you've been practicing Callanetics though.

One tip though is to focus on letting the leg lengthen right out of the hip socket as you lift. Use the pelvic floor muscles to stabilise you at the same time. And lying on your side with your forearm resting under your shoulder is a great way to do this exercise and in fact my preferred as it does provide the room for lengthening out of the leg to isolate the muscles deeper.

Let me know if this helps..or not

[Sandrahanna]

Originally Posted by Skinny Panda

Okay done my 4th hour of 10/10 for Feb.

I don't think I see any difference, but I think I am feeling one. Don't know if that makes sense......

Also I am not sure I getting the most out of the pelvic exercises..........My body, I mean my pelvis just does not tip up that much..........I feel like it's something my body just won't do, rather than something it will eventually do......But I keep on trying it......

For the scoops; try just going down only half way (your buttocks won't reach your heels) and then curl and scoop. As you get stronger and your pelvic more flexible you can then lower a little bit more at a time until eventually your buttocks touch your heels.

For the rotations try leaning your torso forward more, so you'll be more on a tilt and not straight up. Make sure though that you hinge from the hips and don't bend from the waist.

Hope this helps you.

[Sandrahanna]

Originally Posted by MindlessZombie

Hi,

Can anyone help a panicked newbie? I bulked up quite a bit from callanetics alternated with a cardio DVD and I don't know what to do.

I bought 10/10 3 weeks ago & started out alternating 10/10 with a cardio DVD. The 10/10 did have noticably good effects (backside smaller & lifted, stomach smaller etc), but within a week my thighs and hips had bulked up so much that my trousers actually split!

I panicked and gave up - I want to get smaller, not bigger, and don't want to have to buy clothes in a bigger size. There are loads of squats, lunges and the like in the cardio DVD so I wonder if that's what caused my thighs and hips to bulk up that way? A few days ago I started doing 10/10 again every other day and my clothes are noticably looser, but I still need some cardio so I ordered CardioCallanetics, hoping it wouldn't have the same bulking up effect.

I've heard you shouldn't do callanetics 2 days in a row, always leave a day in between to give your muscles a chance to rest & recover. I've read of people who got better results doing callanetics every other day than they did from doing it every day.

So is it OK for me to do the whole of CC, including the toning, on alternate days from 10/10? Or should I just stick to the cardio half? And is there any danger of me bulking up? I just did the cardio section of CC today and (I'm probably being paranoid) but I swear my thighs are bigger & rubbing together more... Sorry for writing a novel but I have no idea what to do

I would be very surprised if CardioC bulked up your thighs. When I was teaching this my thighs became super skinny. I was amazed at the difference it made to my thighs and butt.

However, your body could be lifting up rapidly when you practice Callanetics which would result in your thighs, hips and butt bulking up. This is only a temporary thing though. If you continue to workout the body, including thighs, hips and butt, will eventually pull in for a leaner look.

Some people may, out of fear of bulking further, stop working out so then the body just goes back to how it was preCallanetics and, of course they will lose that bulk. But they also lose tone and shape.

Keep in mind that as the butt lifts up it will create a more rounded (peachy) look which is youthful after all. Keep working out and one day you'll suddenly notice that your looking slimmer and smoother.


So

[SpaceCowgirl]

3rd hour out of 12 complete for February.

I had an epiphany and thought I'd share. I've tried many exercise routines in the past (pilates, yoga, turbo jam, tae bo, etc), and every single time I start something new, I gain weight at the beginning.

Callanetics has been the same. I started 1 week ago and I've gained 7 pounds. But I realized that every time I started gaining weight, I quit the exercise routine - and I've never gotten to my goal that way.

So - I'm looking past the 7 pound gain and keeping with the callanetics until I get the results I want

[Mademoiselle23]

My package finally arrived!!! I watched the full dvd of 10-in-10 so I could see the techniques. I am going to do them as soon as I can have a question answered!

Do I have to keep my pelvic floor engaged all the time unless she says not to "tighten the behind?" or only when she says to tighten the behind?

lol sorry it might seem like a silly question but I want to get the most out of my workout!

[Sandrahanna]

Originally Posted by SpaceCowgirl

3rd hour out of 12 complete for February.

I had an epiphany and thought I'd share. I've tried many exercise routines in the past (pilates, yoga, turbo jam, tae bo, etc), and every single time I start something new, I gain weight at the beginning.

Callanetics has been the same. I started 1 week ago and I've gained 7 pounds. But I realized that every time I started gaining weight, I quit the exercise routine - and I've never gotten to my goal that way.

So - I'm looking past the 7 pound gain and keeping with the callanetics until I get the results I want

Thanks for sharing this with us it concurs with Twyla's post about initial weight gain when starting a new program.

[mary761]

Originally Posted by Sandrahanna

In the beginning most find it difficult to lift the leg. I generally don't worry about this and encourage them to use what ever muscles they have. I'm not sure how long you've been practicing Callanetics though.

One tip though is to focus on letting the leg lengthen right out of the hip socket as you lift. Use the pelvic floor muscles to stabilise you at the same time. And lying on your side with your forearm resting under your shoulder is a great way to do this exercise and in fact my preferred as it does provide the room for lengthening out of the leg to isolate the muscles deeper.

Let me know if this helps..or not

Thanks so much for the reply. I am just starting this, 3 hours so far. I will try lying on my side. That definitely feels more natural.

[Mademoiselle23]

I just finished my first hour of 10-in-10!

I thought it was going to be easy but it was brutal!
I still need to learn how to do the technique properly but I guess my legs feeling like jell-o means I worked them out well enough. I seriously couldn't walk without looking silly for 15 minutes! I felt like they were so wobbly!

It feels great though!

[grayswife]

Okay, I am in for 10 hours this month very new to it and better get moving since it is already the 5th..

[MindlessZombie]

Originally Posted by WATCH-ME-SHRINK

You should not be bulking with Callanetics. That is the VERY REASON I chose to stay with Callanetics over other forms of training for my lower body. I had bulked before, more than once, with heavy weight training. With Callanetics, I was able to tone, strengthen my thighs w/o the bulk.

It could be that the cardio DVD you were using might have had some bearing on the bulking. But my guess is you were experiencing water gain from the muscle development. It is not uncommon for muscles to swell a little with water weight in the beginning stages of training.

REmember to drink plenty of water, keep up with your cardio 2-3 x a week, and make sure you're not eating above your maintenance level of calories. If you eat more than you burn, and you're training, you will gain muscle/bulk.

I would just be patient and let your body catch up and adjust to the stress it's under, drink water, etc. Give it another 2-3 weeks, then reevaluate.

Hope that helps.

Thanks for that, I didn't realise that it could have been water gain from the muscle development. I do drink water but maybe I wasn't drinking quite enough. I think I'll leave that particular cardio DVD on the shelf and stick with alternating CardioCallanetics and 10/10.

Last weekend I came up with a Feb plan of 10 sessions of 10/10 and 10 of CardioCallanetics... I WILL stick to this!

[MindlessZombie]

Originally Posted by Sandrahanna

I would be very surprised if CardioC bulked up your thighs. When I was teaching this my thighs became super skinny. I was amazed at the difference it made to my thighs and butt.

However, your body could be lifting up rapidly when you practice Callanetics which would result in your thighs, hips and butt bulking up. This is only a temporary thing though. If you continue to workout the body, including thighs, hips and butt, will eventually pull in for a leaner look.

Some people may, out of fear of bulking further, stop working out so then the body just goes back to how it was preCallanetics and, of course they will lose that bulk. But they also lose tone and shape.

Keep in mind that as the butt lifts up it will create a more rounded (peachy) look which is youthful after all. Keep working out and one day you'll suddenly notice that your looking slimmer and smoother.


So

Thanks very much for the reply. It wasn't CardioC that I'd been doing, but another cardio DVD with large sections of squats & lunges.

Tried CardioC for the first time last night and loved it. Unlike after the other cardio DVD, my thigh muscles feel a lot less strained and overworked today, they don't hurt at all now and just feel like they're toning up. I'm going to stick with alternating 10/10 and CardioC. When I drop a clothing size I'm going to reward myself with a copy of Evolution.

I know exactly what you mean about the butt lifting and rounding - it's happening to mine already! There was a definite difference after the first few sessions of Callanetics, so much so that it felt slightly unreal. How could just 3 sessions of Callanetics in a week produce such incredible results?? It really is like magic.

[BARGAINHUNTER!]

I followed the January thread with interest and thought that I would join in this month to record my progress!

Im from the UK, and have been doing Callanetics (the original VHS one) for many years on and off. What I actually did was type up a sheet of the exercises with the number of repititions required by the side, and I now use this whilst watching TV!!

Anyway - I have now decided to comit to this properly, and I aim to do 15 sessions of original callanetics (is this what you guys refer to as 10/10?) during Feb. So far I have done 2/15. I also do an hour of aerobics each week which incorporates cardio/stretching. I have the Super Callanetics VHS and I have watched this through once, but not attempted any yet. I gather that if I order the Callanetics DVDs from Amazon .com they are region free so I will be able to play them in the UK. Can anyone recommend which ones to get - I already have the original one with Callans mum in and the Super Callanetics.

I have also found some Callanetics classes in Maidenhead, Berkshire and I have the web link to the ladies webpage if anyone would like it.

[Mademoiselle23]

I'm not sore the next morning... Is that a sign I didn't do it right?

I usually get sore when I exercise because I never work out.... But not this time.

[Glamour P!]

Firstly Sandra Thanks so much for getting back to me - I actually struggle to use a barre at the min. So I rest my hands out to the opposite side, if that makes sense. I'll keep trying. But other than that I love it. I feel a lot better health wise too. I love it.

Bargain Hunter - I would be careful of buying from the US Amazon.com as not all Callanetics DVDs are region free. I had to send one back!! It may be worth emailing the seller to find out before you buy. I have the Beginning and what is known here as 10/10 on VHS and had hem transferred to DVD as they were wearing. Not everyone is willing to do that because of the copywrite, however if you stress thats it is for your own personal use then they may reconsider.
Hope this helps.

G x

[Tyl]

1/12 complete

[KlingonBabe]

I just completed an hour of 10/10.

[Skinny Panda]

Originally Posted by Sandrahanna

For the scoops; try just going down only half way (your buttocks won't reach your heels) and then curl and scoop. As you get stronger and your pelvic more flexible you can then lower a little bit more at a time until eventually your buttocks touch your heels.

For the rotations try leaning your torso forward more, so you'll be more on a tilt and not straight up. Make sure though that you hinge from the hips and don't bend from the waist.

Hope this helps you.

Sandra this helped me immensely this morning. Thanks!!


5 hrs 10/10 completed!

[tryinitout]

4 hours done

[sarahparis]

Hello everyone!

I'd like to join the February challenge as I find reading your posts so motivating!

I did Callanetics successfully 7 years ago (and wish I'd never quit!)
I have a very sedentary job and really need to get into shape before spring comes along and I can no longer hide under my coat, so I've dug out my 10/10 video and aim to do at least 10 hours this month (I've already done 3).
I also plan to take up jogging - which I've always disliked - to get a bit of cardio into my routine.

Sarah

[mary761]

1 hour of 10/10 this morning.

[jodfish]

Sitting here feeling sorry for myself rather than actually getting off the sofa and doing another hour of 10/10...but I will once I've done some grumbling

Finally got around to taking some progress photos yesterday, which showed absolutely no difference in my body whatsoever compared to the initial photos I took at the beginning of January. Admittedly, I've only been trying for 4 weeks, so it is early days, and I'm hoping that's what most of you will tell me! But I've been trying to eat more healthily, I've been doing Callanetics twice a week (7 hours overall so far of 10/10), and about 40 mins of cardio twice a week.

Should I just stick to what I'm doing? Or look into getting the Evolution/CardioC/SuperC DVDs? Or do I need to bite the bullet and step it up a gear?

I was really hoping that this time would be *it* so I don't want to give up, I'm just feeling a little disappointed. Probably just impatient...?