July Callanetics Challenge

[CherryBlast]

Last week i did 4 hours of Callanetics!

[vessel of prayer]

hr 14. one more to go

[HighlyFavored]

Hello & Happy Monday!!!

Here is my mini-entry for this week, curl up and get comfy...it's lengthy !

Monday: 10/10 hour 7
JM's BFBM

Tuesday: 10/10 hour 8
Cardio Max (Levels 1 & 2)

Wednesday: 30 Day Shred (Level 1)
Cardio Max (Level 2)

Thursday: 10/10 hour 9

Friday: nada

Saturday: JM's BFBM

I incorporated the small outward circles for the hip & behind exercises and this is definitely a keeper for me. I can feel this so much more than before...thanks Sandra !!!

Lately, I have not had a desire to work out as the end of the week nears. My rest days have gone from Saturdays and Sundays to Fridays and Sundays !!! It's not because I'm sore or anything...I just don't feel like it .

When I woke up Thursday morning I felt like I was lighter, thinner and like I had lost weight ...so I was perplexed because I had my mind already set to weigh in and take measurements on Friday. However, my instincts were telling me to weigh myself & take measurements early, especially since I knew my cycle would be here within the next 2 days .

I normally exercise first, then weigh and take mesurements, however there was this confidence that was exuding from me and I decided to go ahead and weigh myself. Low and behold, I had lost 3.1lbs . I then take measurements and I had lost .5 inches from my upper hip area .

Thank goodness I took measurements and weighed myself because I felt heavier Friday morning and began my cycle Saturday morning. I thank God for my instincts and the ability to follow them or I would not have been a happy camper!

I notice that when there is a significant weight loss for me like this, the inch loss is low and vice-versa . Regardless, I was satisfied with the results, especially since I had gained a little the week before last.

My eating for the past 2 weeks has been modified. I was debating between Induction and the Belly Fat Cure. After praying about it for a few days, I decided that I needed to do something that works for me and where I don't feel like I'm being deprived of the things I enjoy. I've done it before and the minute I feel like I'm being deprived, I binge big time and it negatively affects everything from my weight to my attitude !!!

That being said...I just reduced my carbs, continued watching my calories and really watched my sugar intake ( my own combination ).
In addition, I also revisited this herbal tea that helps me digest my food and helps promote cleansing. I only drink this tea when I have eaten something I had no business eating , I ate way too much and I need to get it out of my system. It helps and does exactly what I need it to do, however I don't plan to do anything at all the next day or at least the next morning and afternoon, because I need easy access to my own bathroom . I probably had 1-2 cups per week over the last 2 weeks. FYI - this tea does what I need it to and it works for me .

I think that's all for now...just a few more days left...hang in there.

Congratulations to those that have already met their goals and to those that are near...keep up the hard work .

to all the newbies!!!

[Danipower714]

1 hour of Super C done today.

[eggshell1970]

1 hr completed

[HarleyGirlTX]

10/10 completed for today. I was on vacation last week and missed several workouts. :-(

[fmtblake]

Highly Favored, what kind of Tea? I have been looking for something like that.

[Mulberry32]

It was a struggle this a.m. but completed 7/8 of Cardio C.

[sweettooth]

another lower body session done, 2 more to go!

[halil1]

I've been following the Callanetics threads for a while and have found them so inspiring. Yesterday, I completed my 6th hour and have already had amazing results. I was wondering if any of the exercises target the hip pad area - that pad of fat on the side of the hips but above the saddlebags?

[planetbenjamin]

Quick Stomach done!

[enjoy]

Did Evo, 12/15.

[Sandrahanna]

Originally Posted by sweettooth

Hi guys,
back here to post my progress..I didi2 complete workouts last week and a lower body sessions, that makes 5/4 full workouts (when I have time I just start doing Callan and can't stop ) and 9/12 lower body sessions.

While I was enjoying my hour of Evolution last week I noticed once again something that happens to me while doing the 2nd series of hips/behind exercises on Evolution: when I do the one with my heel hanging heavily, I do feel my buttoks working, but I feel also my inner thigh working as well. As I contract the pf I can almost immediatly feel my muscles just around my kneecap tighten as well: am I over engaging my pf? Has anone experienced something like that?

Nice day to all of you!

This is good and you should congratulate yourself. it's a sign that your pelvic floor is stronger and that you probably are keeping your counterpulls in place while you are pulsing. This keeps your muscles...all muscles not just the ones you're training...nice and taut so that you are then targeting and working your muscles deeper.

Nice job

If you want to try something different while doing the knee bent position why don't you try lifting the lower foot up off the floor while you are pulsing and pulse the pelvic floor muscles. You'll feel the muscles between the sit bones pulsing together at the base of the behind as you do this.

Remember to never curl the pelvis while doing either of these two exercises. It doesn't sound like you are but thought I'd just add this reminder

[eggshell1970]

I did Callanetics a long time ago and have recently started back and wondering about this. I have noticed that it seems my lower abs and upper abs are mussing together and making a puffy place in middle now , is that normal?

[planetbenjamin]

Originally Posted by eggshell1970

I did Callanetics a long time ago and have recently started back and wondering about this. I have noticed that it seems my lower abs and upper abs are mussing together and making a puffy place in middle now , is that normal?

It's very normal. Quite often everything will meet in the middle before it flattens out. Callan even mentions in one of her books that you can expect your stomach to get bigger before it gets smaller. You may also notice that a separation happens down the middle of your stomach with a podgy bit each side. Again, this is only part of the process and will pass.

[zinny]

I had a fantastic session of 10/10 last night after doing the 15 minute t-tapp workout 3 mornings in a row. The t-tapp workout is quite different but also has some great core, arm, and back stretching that I think enabled me to break through in 10/10. My ability to stretch and move more deeply in Callan was really dramatic from the very first warmup!

I have moved into a new place and the so-called breakfast bar is in fact a Callanetics barre. I was also able to see my reflection in the French doors--although I thought my form on the hip rotations was good, I could see that I leaned forward way too much.

I know that I did a good job overall this month with workouts and food but am just feeling rotund and like Sisyphus. How did I manage to gain back a full size (maybe two?) without acknowledging it or stopping it in its tracks? Knowing that the bigger tummy is typical helps a bit but it is an additional challenge to keeping a positive outlook about the whole thing.

[NorthernLight]

Hi everyone

I'll join the challenge with the goal: 5 hours of 10/10
(3 down so far)

And to introduce myself. I've been reading this forum for a while now. This seems to be the only place where people actually are interested in Callanetics

I'm 29 and a mother of a 2-year-old. I used to be in a good shape but those pregnancy leftovers just stayed I live in Finland, which should explain my nick. It has nothing to do with those plants bearing the same name...

I remembered Callanetics (a friend's mother used to do it) and decided to try. Started with Countdown in June and swapped to 10/10 just now. I'm still fighting with the correct form, but hope that it will come - someday. Especially hips (on the floor with leg straight) are killing me. Those lovehandles are in the way constantly... I feel mostly my outer thighs working there.

I have lost (since June):
weight: 3 pounds
waist: 2.8 inch
hips: 1.6 inch
thighs: 1.2 inch
I do feel different, but I don't see any change in my pictures. Did any of you feel the same?

I do realize it is (nearly) impossible, but I'd love to look absolutely radient on my son's 2-year birthday party (in 2 weeks) and especially on my 30th. How soon did you notice changes? Especially those who had excess skin on bellyarea.

So that's me. All info/questions/stats bundled in one post
I do hope I fit in!

[HarleyGirlTX]

30 minutes of Cardio Callan done today.

[Mulberry32]

10/10 done for 11/12

[NorthernLight]

10/10 done -> 4/5
Although it stilla takes me well over an hour to finish...

[usmcholmans]

Three hours down of 30. I've forgotten how much I love Callanetics...and how funny the 80's fashion and hair was. WHAT were we THINKING?!

[laurakitty]

1 hr. of 10/10

[Qzzznne]

Yesterday I geered myself up for a second attempt at Super C. The first time I tried it I ran scared. I put on the dvd/tv player and was standing there all ready to be challenged and a bit scared and realized that I didn't ever switch the CD. I used that as a cop out although I did complete yet another round of 10/10.
This morning I got up and took another shot at it and am happy to say that I did Super C. Many of the new excercises I only completed 50 rather than 100 trying to get the right form down. The abs are intense!
Doing Super C has been in the back of my mind poking me since the day I thought NO WAY am I doing that. I am very proud that I accomplised it.
My body is like a rag doll

Suzzanne

[AprilW]

Hours 8 and 9 done.

[enjoy]

Did 10/10 for 13/15. I hope to do 2 more to meet my goal.

[vessel of prayer]

hr 15 done. out of 15 ten ten. yay

[NorthernLight]

I need to confirm something.

I have trouble doing the hips on the floor (leg extended) due to my love handles (they're sort of trying to get under my ribcage).
The exercise is a bit easier and doable if I don't use a barre but instead keep hands on the floor on side. Can I do it this way effectively?

My concern in this is, that I seem to be able to lift my leg too high. Even when keeping the hips even, pointing the knee to the floor, and tipping pelvis. I feel my lower thigs and calves working. Occasionally something in the buttocks as well, but I never seem to be able to keep the sensation very long. I keep doing them but also wonder are they doing anything for me.

I have looked at the photos and the video clips from youtube (don't have any of the tapes).

Thanks in advance!

[Mulberry32]

10/10 done for 12/12

[enjoy]

Did Evo for 14/15, so if I squeeze in one more hr tomorrow, I will meet my goal.

[Eilene]

Hi everyone...my name is Eilene. I'm 53 & I love working out. I have lifted weights & done some form of cardio since I was 19. I also LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Yoga. I have bad knees & have not worked out my legs with weights in years. At the end of June I luckily found the Barr type workouts (Bar Method, Pure Barr, Squeeze & of course Callanetics!!) I have done 15 workouts since June 26 as of tomorrow and I am LOVING them! I actually look forward to doing these workouts and I am so happy that I can work out my butt & legs once again. I walks my dogs once or twice every day...practice Yoga 2-3 times a week for an 1 to 1 1/2 hours and have been getting in Barr workouts 3 times a week. I am in LOVE!!! I can already see a difference & can fit into some pants that I couldn't fit in last year...Yea!!!

I also have to say that I am a Raw Foodist (no meat) and have been so for 3 years & 2 months. I only eat 1 cooked meal a week.

I am so glad I found this thread & find each & everyone of you truly an inspiration!! Thank you!

Eilene

PS...Is there going to be an August Callanetics challenge? If so, I want in! :-)