April Callanetics Challenge

[Sandrahanna]

Some of the benefits seen by Callanetics students:

Tight, lifted firm buttocks
Flatter toned abs
Long lean legs with awesome muscle definition
Lean, sculpted arms
Youthful neckline
Stronger pelvic floor
Increased sex drive and stronger ******s
Increased flexibility
Increased strength
Restore youthful alignment and posture

Feel full of energy, vitality and empowered. There's nothing like Callanetics to safely tone and shape the body.

Callanetics is safe for everyone regardless of age and fitness level. It's particularly beneficial and safe for people with back, neck and knee issues.

Reclaim your youthful body shape by joining us for the February Challenge.

Certified Callanetics Instructors post regularly to help with any queries, modifications and intensifications.

For more information become a fan of:

www.facebook.com/newcallanetics

and

www.facebook.com/callaneticsworld


Happy Pulsing
__________________

[Sandrahanna]

Welcome to April Challenge beautiful Peaches

For those of you not seeing results on hip and behind, I added a post at the end of March Challenge on the hip and behind exercises.

Happy Pulsing....I'll still be checking in while away

[NorthernLight]

April already... I need to recheck my goals this month! Really, haven't met them at all Well, sort of I have, but not meeting the set numbers...

I'll say 8, this month

And thanks, Sandra, for starting this month's challenge!

[poopsie2223]

Sandra, thanks for the tips about the behind. I am going to be sure my form is right and hopefully that will help me see progress. I certainly have felt the pulls you describe, so I think the muscles are working the way they should in these exercises. Maybe I just have too much fat still in my butt.

My goal for this month is 16 hours of Callanetics.

[Princessdmw33]

Sandra, thank you for all of your advice!


I am going to keep my goal at 10 hours for April and hope for 15.

[bethm]

Just got CC and Evo in the mail yesterday!!!! So excited. I'm going to go with 9 for a goal, aiming for every 3rd day!

[bclause]

Thanks for starting the April thread and have a safe trip. I'm taking my vacation at the end of April so I will be MIA that week. I'm going to try and do my stretches M-F and take the weekends off since I've been busy playing outside with this gorgeous weather. My goal for April is 16 hours. If doing this 5 days in a row is too much then I'll switch it around but I'm determined to do another 16 hours this month before our trip. I'm going to the beach as well as Disney so I really need to be bathing suit ready.

[Jigglebuster]

Thank you Sandra!

I just read your facebook page and had a few 'uh ha!' moments, and am ready to appply that. The information at the end of March's Challenge is great too. I love it when you come in and grace us with your wisdom!!!

Okay, I'm in for 17 this month.

1 hour of 10/10 = 1/17!

Keep it pulsing everyone!!!

[virtuousgal]

I fell way off so I am hold myself to 20, and hoping for 25. Wish me luck

[Mulberry32]

April goal 15 sessions of Callanetics
20 miles of walking

[poopsie2223]

Ok, did my first 20 minutes of AM this morning. I am going to be switching to CardioCallentics next week but there is something wrong with my DVD player so can't yet. I only have that on DVD but I have AM/PM on VCR.

[Minxz]

My goal is 12 workouts. I have more scheduled but something seems to happen every month so I will keep my goal low for the moment and adjust it if I can.

I did the cardio portion of Cardio Callanetics this AM so

1/12

[planetbenjamin]

Gosh, how can it be April already...and still freezing cold in London?!

[Mulberry32]

10/10 with additional hip/behind from Evolution and Super for 1/15.

[HAPPYLOSER]

Hi all,

I"m in for April. I am aiming for 12 hours:blush: 3X's a week. I have 10 in 10/Super Callenetics. I will be doing the first hour tonight. On my off days, I'm going to be using 15lbs dumbbells for my arms and butt!

[Romy@callan]

Hello everyone !

Been away on a course, will read up on all the posts over the weekend.

Happy April & Happy Easter everyone !!!

[tempted_by_food]

Thanx for the new thread

Logging my 1st hour of evo for April

[JayaD]

Thankyou Sandra for the tips on hip and behind exercise. I pledge to do 16 hrs this month.

Hope to see changes in my hips and behind this month.

[bclause]

I did my first hour of 10/10 for April. It's amazing how much deeper I can do the stretches each session. I am noticing that the fat is getting smaller and flattening out on my right hip but not on my left hip. It's kinda strange looking.

[Charlie-B]

Hi y'all,

I'm in for April. I just traded that scratchy old VHS in for a new DVD of 10/10, so much better. It may be to ambushes but I'm shooting for 4x a week. Have a happy Easter!

Callanetics, 10 Years Younger in 10 Hours!
I completed 1 hour today!
2010: 10 hours
April Goal: 18 hours
1 out of 18 completed!

[healthmom]

Originally Posted by Sandrahanna

Welcome to April Challenge beautiful Peaches

For those of you not seeing results on hip and behind, I added a post at the end of March Challenge on the hip and behind exercises.

Happy Pulsing....I'll still be checking in while away

Just had a couple of questions on the hip / behind exercises. First, so I can get this totally right, where should I be feeling it for each of the exercises? And second, for the second exercise with leg straight, where is the counterpull?

I think a big part of my problem is the lengthening out, so I am working on that. But I've also found that on my right side I am having trouble keeping the pelvic muscles isolated / tight and I end up tightening my whole butt. So any pointers on that would be great.

Then, just one more thing. Even though my legs are getting smaller, they still seem to be very bulky (I've always had pretty thick thighs). Any modifications or other possible exercises to help with this? I am currently doing 10 in 10.
Thanks.

[TerriG]

Logging in 1 hour of 10/10.... gonna shoot for 10 this month!!!

[Sandrahanna]

Originally Posted by healthmom

Just had a couple of questions on the hip / behind exercises. First, so I can get this totally right, where should I be feeling it for each of the exercises? And second, for the second exercise with leg straight, where is the counterpull?

I think a big part of my problem is the lengthening out, so I am working on that. But I've also found that on my right side I am having trouble keeping the pelvic muscles isolated / tight and I end up tightening my whole butt. So any pointers on that would be great.

Then, just one more thing. Even though my legs are getting smaller, they still seem to be very bulky (I've always had pretty thick thighs). Any modifications or other possible exercises to help with this? I am currently doing 10 in 10.
Thanks.

For the first exercise with the leg bent you should be feeling the muscles working from the back of the knee right up through the butt and hip. Beginners generally feel it working more in the upper behind. However, as you progress and when you are able to thoroughly stretch your leg out, you should start to feel it more at the base of the behind. The counterpull is from the sitbones/pelvic floor and the knee for this one along with keeping the sitbones to crown in place.

When the leg is straight you should feel it working on the outer thigh in particular. This is the exercise that eliminates saddlebags/thunder thighs. Again, the more you have your leg stretched out the tauter the muscles become and the deeper you will be pulsing. By the time you get to the end of the count you should be feeling it working right next to the bone
The counterpull here is from the sitbone to the heel.

I instruct my students to think and focus on lengthening and stretching beyond the heel and the crown so that they get to experience the outer, larger muscles pulling in to the skeletal frame. Focus on counterpulls for every exercise and you feel and look slimmer after every workout This also answers your question on how to slim down your legs quicker.

When you first start to pulse, and know that you have your pelvic floor engaged, deliberately let go and relax your pelvic floor muscles so that you will know and experience the difference. This is also something I teach in class on occasions...I tell them to collapse inwards losing counterpulls and also to release their pelvic floor. This builds awareness. Also, just by 'thinking' tighten pelvic floor you will most likely be doing just that.

[edna_skooter]

I have been MIA for awhile, but I have still been keeping up with some Callanetics (although, not as much as I would like). I realize that I have to do some of the stretches everyday or I start to get all stiff and creaky. The hour long program was starting to be too time consuming so I split it up and I do half of it every morning. That seems to be working well.

I would like to join the challenge this month for 12 hours.

I have a total now of 70 hours!

[healthmom]

Originally Posted by Sandrahanna

When you first start to pulse, and know that you have your pelvic floor engaged, deliberately let go and relax your pelvic floor muscles so that you will know and experience the difference. This is also something I teach in class on occasions...I tell them to collapse inwards losing counterpulls and also to release their pelvic floor. This builds awareness. Also, just by 'thinking' tighten pelvic floor you will most likely be doing just that.

I really focused on the lengthening out when I did these yesterday and definitely noticed a difference. I have been writing down everything you have been saying and keep it with me when I exercise so that halfway through I'm not saying "now what were her instructions for this or that".
My husband has been working out of town for the last month and will be gone another month. I really want him to notice a difference when he gets back.

Thank you Sandra!!

[bclause]

I have really noticed that as well Sandra. I am really paying more attention to lengthing my leg out and I find it's easier to roll my hip in. I also make sure to really tighten my behind so I can tilt that pelvis up. For some reason I still have more trouble doing the left than the right which might be why the fat is uneven.

I also have a bigger body frame thanks to my German mother and grandma. We both have broad shoulders, wide hips, bigger behind, and thick thighs. Now in the past weight lifting and doing push-up's made me a little bulkier in the arms and legs. This time what I'm doing different is my diet. I am not doing low carb but moderate around 100 daily. The big difference is I'm eating 5-6 small meals daily. I also make sure to eat lots of fresh veggies and fruit. I keep my calories low but I don't go crazy worrying about how many calories I eat. I just go by how I feel. If I still feel hungry then I drink a glass of water first. If that doesn't help then I know it's actual hunger so I have a small snack of protein like handful of nuts, string cheese, or something small in those regards. I also make airpopped popcorn but I don't use yellow corn. I found some black jewel popcorn which is so delicious. I started doing this about 6 weeks ago. My hubby is even noticing how much leaner my arms and legs look. This is funny b/c I am lifting 10-20 pound weights. I try to stay at 1400 calories. Some days I might eat more but most days I don't.

[Mulberry32]

Cardio C toning with open/close from Super C done for #2/15

[poopsie2223]

Just finished AM and I'm 1/16.

[Charlie-B]

I have completed 11 Hrs. now. The difference I see most is in my silhouette & posture. My neck, back and even my stomach are looking better. I can even hold my stomach in for the first time in years, and I have more energy and strength. Except for my posture, I can't see that I look any younger yet. But, just give me time and I will Look years Younger!!!


Walked 2 miles today!
April Walking Goal is 40 miles/2 miles Done
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Callanetics, 10 Years Younger in 10 Hours!
I completed 1 hour today!
2010:11 hours
April Goal: 18 hours
11 out of 18 completed!

[bclause]

I completed another hour of 10/10 so up to 2 hours for this new month. I'm taking off the weekend so I can play outside. Wishing everyone a very Happy Easter Day!