September Callanetics Challenge

[Mulberry32]

Cardio C done for the day

[catapulta]

September is over and I have completed my challenge... it was doing callanetics everyday (started the 8th) I've just missed two days (because of business trips)

My body is visibly changing, specially the legs, they look different, and funnily, the arms also lookk different (I am surprised because everybody in the forum said the arm exercise was insufficient :-O ) And today I started to feel my stomach different

So, I have to say that I'm more than happy and ready for the October Challenge!!!!

[Sandrahanna]

Originally Posted by NorthernLight

Thank you!

Yes, that's what I've got. My hamstrings have been (unusually) tight. I have a habit of rushing to what I used to be able to do, but am trying really hard to keep cool. "You'll stretch when you're body is ready to stretch. Not when you want to."

Now that I think of it. There was a similar indicent last spring. I hurt my back and limped for a week. Then everything was back to normal. Also, I do remember that the sitting stretch in 10/10 where both feet are straight forward I had trouble as my lower back resisted almost every time. But once I managed to relax the muscles I could almost touch my head to knees - easily.

I know, that my spine is "overbendy" (I don't know the correct term in English) and realize I have been neglecting it for too long. My pregnancy might be the cause for all these problems (emerging now, I mean).

Today, I haven't needed any painkillers. Yay! So, I plan to walk a little outside (such a lovely autumn day today ) and try CardioC - following Mackenzie. It will be tough, but I must take it easy.

What struck me as odd, was the nurse in the hospital on Sunday. She said that exercising was a bad thing Why? She indicated that working out was the thing that made my condition worse. I don't get it. Yes, my leg hurt last week and yes I was limping the whole week. But exercise made it better. Maybe that full hour of CardioC was a little too much, but exercising can't be a bad thing! On the contrary, in my opinion.

And to calm you down, Sandra. No, I will not take any painkillers before exercising and will stop if there is any pain. Well, I might try to ease the movements first, though

Acupuncture is excellent for any sciatic pain whether it's running down the back or front of leg or even in the groin. I 'd really recommend tracking a good one down.

From what you are saying about your limp I'm wondering if it's the 3rd type of sciatic pain which effects the groin. This, in chinese medicine, apparently is the gallbladder meridian.

Your nurse was probably talking about conventional exercise. Callanetics is non impact as you know and is very gentle. As you are experiencing pain and tightness I'm suspecting that you will naturally and automatically be very tentative with your movements anyway.

Let me know how you go with this and think about having a few acupuncture treatments to help you heal quicker.

[Sandrahanna]

Originally Posted by NorthernLight

I just had to post this.

I was just watching my toddler moving. He was running, lifting things from the floor, jumping up and down, throwing himself on the floor on occasions - doing what children do.

This time I really paid attention to the movement. It is possible to lift anything without bending from the torso. It is possible to keep head aligned with the spine. Watch children, if you have the chance!

But at what point it becomes impossible I do hope I'm able to make my son to understand exactly how important it is to take care of oneself!

I love this post

There's no better way to understand movement than watching a child move and play. They bounce, run, skip and all the time they are utilising their pelvic floor muscles without giving it a moment of thought.

Unfortunately, due to computers, play stations and lack of physical activity etc they are losing this natural movement quicker than we did and this is one of the reasons why their bodies are aging faster.

[Sandrahanna]

Originally Posted by catapulta

September is over and I have completed my challenge... it was doing callanetics everyday (started the 8th) I've just missed two days (because of business trips)

My body is visibly changing, specially the legs, they look different, and funnily, the arms also lookk different (I am surprised because everybody in the forum said the arm exercise was insufficient :-O ) And today I started to feel my stomach different

So, I have to say that I'm more than happy and ready for the October Challenge!!!!

Congratulations on your results it's so exciting to see the changes and they will keep coming as you challenge yourself to relax more and intensify

As far as arms are concerned...I think 10/10 is lacking in arm training and I always used to use weights when I practiced this way back in the 80's. Evolution adds weights pushups and the different pulses to train the arms and this brings great results. I also teach reverse push ups in class to target the triceps.

If you are working with 10/10 only just grab some weights to use for the arm exercise or incorporate pushups.

[katlj]

Just wanted to add that my chiropractor has saved me from a lifetime of Sciatica. I have 4 dessicated discs in my lumbar region and 3 herniated discs in my cervical region, so I know about Sciatica flares. Feel better NorthernLight!

[newmomtx]

rested the whole weekend and hour 6 done today.. 2 hours behind my modest challenge- Better luck to me next month!

[tempted_by_food]

wooohooo well done everyone

[planetbenjamin]

October Challenge is open! See you there...

OCTOBER Callanetics Challenge

[Catsrus]

Unfortunately, I did not get hour 10 in for September. Only did 9 of the goal of 10. Had planned to set a higher goal for Oct., but now I'm not sure. I just can't seem to find a time that I WILL do any exercise at all. Feeling kinda' bummed.....

[a_thinner_rach]

I did 14 hours which was less than my goal, but I'm still happy with it.

I think my goal was too optimistic.

[NorthernLight]

Originally Posted by Sandrahanna

Acupuncture is excellent for any sciatic pain whether it's running down the back or front of leg or even in the groin. I 'd really recommend tracking a good one down.

From what you are saying about your limp I'm wondering if it's the 3rd type of sciatic pain which effects the groin. This, in chinese medicine, apparently is the gallbladder meridian.

Your nurse was probably talking about conventional exercise. Callanetics is non impact as you know and is very gentle. As you are experiencing pain and tightness I'm suspecting that you will naturally and automatically be very tentative with your movements anyway.

Let me know how you go with this and think about having a few acupuncture treatments to help you heal quicker.

Acupuncture is new for me. I know of its existence, but have never tried. Maybe I'll look something up. Thanks for the tip!

The pain is gone I'm still not able to control my leg fully. My right buttock and back of the thigh are sort of numb still. Greater problem are the calf and sole of the foot, which feel kind of stiff. This is new, so something is happening. Whether it's good or bad, we'll see... Walking very slowly and concentrating on every movement I'm able to walk correctly. It is very easy to just "hop" onward...

It is sort of fun learning to walk all over again, but at work it's not that nice. It's both a blessing and a curse that I work in an office and sit in front of the computer for 8 hours. A blessing, because I don't have to move fast to get things done, and a curse as I need to remember to get up from my chair and sit up straight. Anyway, there is a totally new level of concentration around now

I'll report more in the October thread.

[NorthernLight]

Originally Posted by katlj

Just wanted to add that my chiropractor has saved me from a lifetime of Sciatica. I have 4 dessicated discs in my lumbar region and 3 herniated discs in my cervical region, so I know about Sciatica flares. Feel better NorthernLight!

Thank you, katlj!

It does help to see that I'm not alone with these problems! Not that I wish this to anyone...

A chiropractor is also new to me. I've used only a masseur.

[catapulta]

Originally Posted by Sandrahanna

Congratulations on your results it's so exciting to see the changes and they will keep coming as you challenge yourself to relax more and intensify

As far as arms are concerned...I think 10/10 is lacking in arm training and I always used to use weights when I practiced this way back in the 80's. Evolution adds weights pushups and the different pulses to train the arms and this brings great results. I also teach reverse push ups in class to target the triceps.

If you are working with 10/10 only just grab some weights to use for the arm exercise or incorporate pushups.

Thank you!! I'll try using weights... is it possible to use regular light dumbells?

[palmolive]

Originally Posted by Sandrahanna

I've done Facercise and spent 3 days with Carol Maggio when I was over in US certifying in Callanetics. I love her cheek pumping exercise and her lip one is fabulous for pumping up. However, my lower face is my weaker area and it didn't help this area at all. I noticed also that Carol's upper face was very toned and lifted but she was still a bit saggy around the jowls; only a bit and it didn't blend in with the upper face. This could have been 'cos she hadn't exercised for a few days. Anyway, my jowls and jawline never changed from her workout so I moved on.

I started Deb Crowley's FlexEffect last year and did this for nearly 9 months and loved the results. However, I started getting too busy and not fitting in the 30 mins required time. Also, the results are slow initially. Deb says the best results are visible after 12 months of flexing.

I'm now combining the Flexaway mouthpiece with Deb's eye exercises (which I love) and also someone on this board mentioned Loulou who has her own method. I've downloaded her book and will also give her a try. Loulou used to do FlexEffect and had spectacular results. Her method is less time consuming.

What I've learnt is that to keep the skin plump and wrinkle free you need to massage the face regularly. The massage technique is lots of pinching, pulling and tugging the skin away from the face. Even to pinch the skin around the eyes which seemed bizarre to me initially as we're told to be soooo gentle with this area. I can see a huge difference in the quality of my skin since starting this.

Oh, something I also love and was introduced to by Deb Crowley, is using Copper Peptides to tighten and tone and remove pigmentation. Fantastic stuff. I buy mine from Skin Treatment Products to Improve Skin Texture, Tighten Facial Skin and Improve Skin Tone with Copper-Peptides. You have to gradually build up to the amount you use.

I know plastic surgeons etc will always knock down facial exercising but the results speak for themselves. I still avoid stretching the skin though.

I think you look absolutley perfect in the Evolution dvd, and i wonder for how many years you have been doing Facercise?

And can I ask what kind of product you use on your face, both skincare and makeup?

[jamistar77]

I would love to join in. Where do I find all the information about the moves? Is there a link or a forum that describes the complete excersize, other than Pelvic floor contractions? Thanks

[NorthernLight]

Originally Posted by jamistar77

I would love to join in. Where do I find all the information about the moves? Is there a link or a forum that describes the complete excersize, other than Pelvic floor contractions? Thanks

There are books and dvds available on Callanetics. To get a sneak peak, there are some videos in youtube.

Join us in the October challenge! There are instructors to help you with any questions you may have. Here's the link:
OCTOBER Callanetics Challenge

Sorry for the quick post...

[jamistar77]

Originally Posted by NorthernLight

There are books and dvds available on Callanetics. To get a sneak peak, there are some videos in youtube.

Join us in the October challenge! There are instructors to help you with any questions you may have. Here's the link:
OCTOBER Callanetics Challenge

Sorry for the quick post...

thanks for the invite! I'll check out the videos.