Callanetics - the recipe for a fit, beautiful body

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gregor123, Jul 21, 8:39am
I should post in it uli - just a bit overwhelming with so many pages! I usually post in parenting - getting used to the other forums here :-) will bookmark the lo carb thread and start reading my way through.
uli, Jul 21, 9:01am
Uh - oh parenting - I never dare to go in there LOL :)
gregor123, Jul 21, 9:29pm
I quite like it in there, you just need to pick carefully which threads to post in lol

Book is on the way and posted... can't wait to get it! Is it similar to pilates at all?
bedazzledjewels, Dec 9, 9:00pm
Bump - for New Year's resolutions!
motorbo, Dec 9, 10:38pm
i used to go to classes years ago.its very good .shame i dont see them around anymore.and gave up my vid years ago.i should have kept it
uli, Dec 10, 2:33am
You do not need classes motorbo - you need WILLPOWER!

If I can do it since years without ever having done any classes - then so can you!

Your posts all sound like lots of excuses . get up and simply DO IT!

Good luck!
motorbo, Dec 10, 3:33am
oh get over yourself Uli.for your information i do exercise every fricken week at the gym AND have been for over 5 years now. i DONT NEED willpower because i enjoy exercise. i do a variety of things.classes, zumba, weights, box class, cardio.u jump all over people all the bloody time.i wonder why i bother to post when i see your name.-
.walks out and slams the door
uli, Dec 10, 4:27am
All power to you motorbo :)
elliehen, Dec 10, 4:37am
One might hope that Callanetics also contributed towards a fit, beautiful and non-judgemental mind ;)
uli, Dec 11, 8:06pm
bump for millna :)
millna, Dec 11, 9:59pm
Thanks very much, this is just what I am looking for, something that is low impact and actually targets musle groups.

I have been glued to the couch for months and months after a back injury that was mis-dioginosed, and want to get moving again, now that I know what the prob is. (i have never been very active, but up until 6 months ago I use to at least walk the kids to and from school)

I hope to be walking the kids to school again next year..... i really hope
uli, Dec 11, 11:00pm
Good luck millna - If I could do it - then so can you :)

Just do as much as you can - even 1 or 2 or 3 repeats is fine - then rest a day then repeat - maybe 4 or 5 repeats then ... and over 1 year of doing this you will be surprised how much you can achieve.

Never ever give up!
Download some of the videos with Callan and you will be good to go :)

Good luck - and if you feel like it - come back in a few months time and share :)
millna, Dec 12, 7:57pm
i just bought the book... looking forward to giving it a go
millna, Dec 12, 8:50pm
uli, Dec 17, 10:11pm
After much interest in the low carb thread here is the recipe to astrong, fit, beautiful body - Callanetics exercises.

Some of us are doing them since a while, others have just started, so this is a support thread for all Callanetics users - and yes it is a recipe for success - so it is in the recipe section :)

This program is so remarkably effective that just one hour of Callanetics exercises has the tightening and lifting value of 20 hours of aerobics. Don't be fooled by the simplicity of the exercises. They are really hard to do properly.

So if you are keen google, buy a book or watch a video (there are lots of them online from the 1980's and 1990's) and then try for yourself. Go slow, get the postures absolutely right, even if you can only do 3 or 5 repeats, then work on the number of repeats.

Now let us hear your stories :)

http://www.callanetics.com/method.php
craytail, Dec 17, 10:24pm
Thanks uli.Well I did my first session last night.And I found that the one hour session was taking closer to one and a half as I had to keep checking the book for posture and what to do next etc.

Today I seem to be walking taller/straighter.My back (have scoli) feels better and the muscles seem to be 'awake'.I also seem to feel a bit more limber (yay).

I had also been a little shocked at how much flexibility Ive lost over the last few years but that will be coming back!!!

I am having trouble with using the kitchen table as a barre, as some of the exercises (espec the one where you stick your bum out like you are waterskiing) need you to be able to grip the barre to hold on (if you get me).

What else - Im having major difficulties with the pelvic exercises (LMAO) but that will come with practice - I just don't seem to quite have the strength/coordination to 'stir my soup'.

But Im really liking it so far.I've done pilates videos etc in the past and just find that you end up using your skeletal system rather than muscles to do the exercises as you try to keep up with the video.

So hows everyone else going????

(edited for a few more details)
kristy21, Dec 17, 10:32pm
Thanks Uli and Craytail for starting the thread. Will be great to hear how everyone is doing.
I'm still waiting for the book, anxiously checking the mail daily! Hopefully it comes before I go away because I would love to be doing it while away.
I have been only doing the arm exercises as Im focusing on toning my chicken wings, and I do weights for this area daily - butthe callanetic exercises have a much larger impact than weights, in terms of feeling it afterwards.
I am going to start a weekly photo log when I return to see if I can see the toning changes. I'm very excited.
I will continue with walking and pilates too, as I enjoy pilates as I do it with a swiss ball and find it effective also. Although my ball just got a hole in it yesterday so will have to get a new one over the holidays! Merry Christmas and good luck to everyone.
uli, Dec 17, 11:45pm
Craytail I was the same - took me ages to do my first few sessions.
I started with the "Callanetics Countdown" which is a book that gives you easier versions of the exercises, so you work your way from 30 repeats (I could do 5 of some and none of most LOL) up to 70 repeats - then go to phase two, do the same - then to phase 3. Each phase showing you a version that is a bit more difficult - until in phase 4 you are doing the "proper" exercise and work your way up to 100 repeats.

I am still a long way away from phase 4, not to mention 100 repeats. But it has made quite a difference in my rehab. As the exercises are low impact anyone can do it, you just do as much as you can and listen to your body.
craytail, Dec 18, 12:14am
Uli any suggestions regarding the exercise where you poke your bum out like a waterskiier??You have to hold on to the barre to take your weight, which of course is very difficult to do while trying to hold onto the kitchen table.I bought the Ten Years Younger in Ten Hours book.

And I must say Im certainly not getting to the number of reps that Callan says to do - but Ill be working on it thats for sure.

Have noticed that while walking around today, doing my usual 'at home jobs' my back isnt hurting like it normally would, I can certainly feel muscles working... correctly... in my legs etc but I can safely say I DONT FEEL SORE.Stretched yes, sore no.And Im certainly sitting more upright when in a chair (like now for instance).

I think Im definately onto something here lmao - mind you I wonder how Im going to feel tomorrow after tonights effort haha.

Anyway enough about me, join in others!!!
uli, Dec 18, 5:22am
I am not sure at which exercise you "poke your bum out like a waterskiier"?? If the kitchen table doesn't work use the backrest of your chair (in case you really have to hold on you might want to have someone sitting on the chair lol) - tell me how the exercise is called or on what page of the book and I think of some other ideas. I just went through the house and looked at the furniture for good ideas :)
I too have found the back problems being the first that seemed to get better, it must be that nice mix of stretching and strengthening that does it.
craytail, Dec 18, 6:26am
Yeah must be the strengthening/stretching etc.

Its page 83 of the Look 10 years younger book "for the legs #4".

Its referred to the "waterskiing" comment on page 93 which talks about changing the exercise for beginners and what it should feel like etc.

Thought about using a chair but I don't have anyone at home to sit on it for me - hubby works a lot and two toddlers aren't that helpful either lmao.
bedazzledjewels, Dec 18, 6:58am
Like Kristy, I'm waiting on the book, but from the library. An hour and a half! Cripes, that doesn't sound like me Uli! Lol!
Do you do these exercises quickly or slowly?
craytail, Dec 18, 7:04am
You sorta go at your own pace.Some of them you do quite slowly as its about contracting the muscle and holding it.

You dont get puffed or anything although I did feel very warm through my own body (top to toe) as the blood was probably circulating very well, that sort of thing.

And I fully expect, that once I get better at this (Ive only done one session) and stronger etc that it will shorten in time.
uli, Dec 18, 9:01am
You do them in "triple slow motion", the idea is to get the muscle working. And yes you feel quite good afterwards.

If you use a nice calming slow music and really concentrate on what you are doing (which is what Callan strongly recommends) it is actually almost like meditation. In a way it is much less exhausting to do 90 minutes of Callanetics than to do 30 minutes in the gym although the exercises are tough.

Will have a look in my book craytail and report back how I do it (if I do it LOL).
uli, Dec 18, 11:25pm
I have only just tried doing that exercise - my legs are not good enough for those kinds of exercises yet. And as I would lose balance at that height anyway I tried it out with a heavy armchair. I put the foot onto the chair and grabbed the armrests - that worked ok (at my low level exercise).
I guess once I get my leg high enough I would use the sink, as that has a narrow edge (where the basin is cut out) where I can hang onto. I use it for some other exercises I do where its important that the thing doesn't move.
Just scoot around the house and see what you've got that would work. There is bound to be something :)