Has anyone really changed their shape by doing Callanetics? Sounds too good to be true.

[naturelover]

Because I've bought the DVD because I'm ever hopeful!

I can't complain about my weight, BMI is and has nearly always been 22 and although I'd like to be thinner I realise that with my big bone structure it's never really going to happen. But I reckon that with the right kind of exercise I might be able to change my shape a bit (thinner thighs and flatter tummy would be good).

My youngest is now old enough that I should have long ago done something about the tummy - it's not huge but as I'm flat chested I feel a flat tummy would enhance my whole figure.

So has anyone done Callanetics and is it as effective as it claims to be? Or can you recommend any other good exercise for reshaping?

Thanks

[SootySweepandSue]

A low carb diet really minimises stomach bulge.

[TheProvincialLady]

Can I join too please? I need motivation (today have eaten 2 chocolate bars, a packet of sweets and 2 mini rolls as well as endless toast and cheese).

32.5", 26.5", 35.5" thighs 20"

I am not overweight at all but just want to tone up my arms, middle, arse and thighs. I have been thinking about getting back into callanetics and if that hip measurement (widest part) doesn't spur me on, I don't know what else will. I am only 5'2" and don't want to look like my grandmother yet, thanks!

[willybreeder]

I agree the exercises really really work, but the video is super annoying. Once I got the hang of it I switched down the volume and put my own music on. I've not done it for years, think I need to get into it again.

[Rainydayagain]

Im commiting to one hour now...just going upstairs.

All my measurements are widest point including thighs which is actualy where legs meet at the top.

No way i could ever cut out carbs!

[naturelover]

I have never understood low carb either. How can you have the energy to do anything?

Surely it's fine to eat brown rice, pulses, wholemeal bread etc - they contain plenty of nutrients and fibre after all.

Everything in moderation.

[BettyBathroom]

Low carbing does work very well for losing weight and what's more I longer crave carbs like I used to and that in itself is enough reason for me to continue. I exercise intensely 3 times a week and I have not found myself feeling hungry or lacking energy.

Callanetics looks interesting I could do with some target based training.

[Llareggub]

I remember my mother doing callanetics in the 80s. She used to get me to hold the book for her. I wonder if she still has it? I remember searching for a DVD of it on amazon a few years back, I'd love to do it again.

[MorrisZapp]

There's a callanetics studio round the corner from my house (morningside, Edinburgh)

[Eliza22]

Callanetics, of which I was a huge fan at one time, completely buggered up my hips, IMO.

[Rainydayagain]

Cutting out the wine works best :-) but who wants to do that!!!
Im all for moderation and balance.

Today i have dug the garden for an hour (children collecting worms) ready for the veg.
This evening i will do an hour of callanetics followed by bath pamper night ( glass of wine)
I'm not going to re measure until i have done five sessions. Have to say when i did my last session earlier in the week, i slept very well.

Transpires that after two children ( one c section) i have NO stomach muscles. One of the deep sretches which i loved in my twenties, i can't even get my leg onto the floor.....Scary.

[naturelover]

I've done two hours so far - I'll measure after 10 sessions. I can definitely feel some muscles have done some work, but I'm not suffering like I thought I might :)
I found it very good for stress to focus on something for an hour and just have some "me" time. I would have slept beautifully were it not for a feverish child.
Good luck!

[thenightsky]

I did Callenetics back in the very early 90s after having DS. It got me from fat wobbly blob to toned size 10 in 3 months! I was very strict about doing it every single day (not weekends) though.

[Abra1d]

The one I find a killer is one of the pelvic bellydancer ones where you scoop back nearly onto the back of your calves and then, without quite touching them, scoop back up again.

[Rainydayagain]

Wow after checking my measurement to the dress i want to get into ( june) i need to loose three full inches from my waist!!!

Its amazing.

[herbaceous]

Aha! I've kept this book from the 80s on the offchance it would come back into fashion. However, simply reading it on the sofa last night doesn't seem to have reduced my huge girth measurably.

I just tried the easiest stomach exercises, and managed about 20. She says you should do 75 then do it all again! Then the ones with the legs off the floor! Egads!

Also, an hour a day seems an awful lot of quite boring exercises.

I'm not posting my measurements. They're too shaming.

[Rainydayagain]

Just post your reduction then :-) when i had my first baby i gained about 5 stone!!! So i know.
I do about twenty ( badly) of the stomach excercises i am wroking my way up to the 75.

[Abra1d]

You don't need to do an hour a day! In fact, she says not to do this. An hour twice a week is what she recommends, if I remember right. Or do 20 minutes a day. But not the full hour.

[changeforthebetter]

Callanetics - blimey, that's a blast from the past

I did it in the late 80s and it did work but I was a size 10 anyway so it just firmed stuff up, I had loads of free time and no money worries/kids/endless fucking housework/laundry

I probably still have the VHS somewhere but no VHS player to view it. Her voice was dreadful and the music was vile too. Happy days!

[Abra1d]

There are a few callanetics exercises on Youtube.

[herbaceous]

I did a few of the exercises last night, and feel tighter already! And yes Abra - you're right. It is only an hour, twice a week. I was panicking!

I looked at the 'advanced' bit at the end, which is pretty impressive. Old Callan doing some pretty impressive dangling on her bars.

[coffeeinbed]

I probably still have those somewhere.
With my old DrMartens.
I'm tempted go give it a try again.
It'll probably kill me....

[Rainydayagain]

I have done two sessions, i have the 20 min work out book. I am not doing all of the excercise ( stomach ones particulatly, and that awful belly dancing one) i extend the excercises for the problem areas, tum and thighs and it lasts about 45-50 mins.
I added in a new stomach excercise last night. Killer.
I am much tighter, im desperate to measure but won't.

I don't find them boring, i did in my twenties. now its a luxuary to have the time to myself ( not in front of the box) god i'm sad.

[Abra1d]

'And yes Abra - you're right. It is only an hour, twice a week. I was panicking!'

I'd be in a quivering heap on the floor if I did it every day. A very toned heap, mind. And much as I love the results, I think I'd be bored stiff as well. Always my downfall, boredom.

I try and do some of the exercises every day. In fact there are other books/tapes, etc, that split them up for you.

Today is supposed to me my least favourite: pelvis and some of the stretches. I actually don't mind the hip/thigh exercises and the stomach ones.

Waist is a killer for me, too, but it really does work. Perhaps i'll try and do those today as well.

[silver73]

I am a huge fan of Callanetics as it is the only exercise that ever gave beautiful slim legs. The exercises are brilliant for stomach and bottom too. I am just re-starting and going back to my daily Callanetics. I use three DVDs (Quick Callanetics for bum, stomach and hips) which are about 20 minutes long each so breaks it up.

I find that within 5 hours you can see a real difference and after 30 hours the results will be amazing....