Callanetics Countdown for Christmas?

[froggy1811]

I have literally just purchased a Callanetics dvd on Amazon Prime (by accident, I might add!) BUT, I'm wondering if this 'accident' may be fates intervention, because my belly and thighs need, well - intervention!

Would anyone like to join me on a weight/physique improvement plan on the run up to Christmas, coz I'm really in need of an improvement, and figured it might be motivating if we do this together....

Oooh I have Callenetics books!

@BasilLeaf

Oooh I have Callenetics books!

Well hop on board BasilLeaf! I was thinking of starting the countdown from Monday?

I was also thinking of buying the book, as apparently it has modifications for people who can't manage the bendy poses...

I bought an old 80s callanetics book off ebay a couple of years ago. It was very funny, let's just say the concept of 'fat shaming' definitely did not exist in the 80s! The exercises were absolutely solid and I had to give up in the end as I was sure I was going to do myself a mischief!

Are they really that hard? And if so, do they work the wonders it claims?

I'm sooo desperate for it to work! I just need to not be the fattest turkey on the table this Christmas...

@froggy1811 Monday it is then! I had a go at the bum ones last night but the combination of a big glass of wine and the dog trying to help me meant I gave up.

Monday I will be sober and will put dog elsewhere for half an hour.

My dogs fancy themselves as assistants also...I like to believe they have the best of intentions

Well, I'm totally excited for Monday now (does a little jig...) annnd, must congratulate you for making a start - seeing as how all I've done so far is watch the unintentionally purchased dvd...

I love, love love the whole 80's vibe too. So, much so, that I did order the book... Those leatotard clad ladies remind me of my mum and all of her glamorous friends. Lol Can't wait for it to arrive!

I'm also planning to add a bit of cardio into the mix (on alternate days I might add) and on Amazon prime there are a few Zumba/Aerobic style vids included free with prime video, which I figure would be a useful addition to the 'trim down'.

Feeling very positive, and off to do a walk around the block with my super, physically fit 17 year old, who will no doubt be mocking my panting breaths very shortly...

Have you got a video of the original Callan? I did callanetics following her from youtube about a decade ago, I remember it being pretty good for toning up. I might join in!

My mum had the original callanetics exercise video and book. What she (callan) said always made so much sense. I did the video for a while as a teenager and it really was effective. It was soooooo boring though. I've always wondered who owns the copyright to callanetics, it's definitely due a makeover because the philosophy and results were so good.

@DownUdderer

Have you got a video of the original Callan? I did callanetics following her from youtube about a decade ago, I remember it being pretty good for toning up. I might join in!

DownUdderer yes! I have the original and plus the book on order...

Please do join us - the more the merrier!

I was chatting to my mum about it, and she said it's due for a resurgence... definitely a gap in the 'fitness market' and perhaps it would benefit from some modern glamour?

Well, with all the positive reviews/recommendations, I am excited to try it!

The books have some amazing photos in them of people literally shrinking. I yearn to be a shrunk person

I’m on the Sorting Shit Out thread (no idea how to do a link but it’s here in weight loss chat) and I will look incredible by Christmas!

I did the waist and arm exercises this morning, I can remember them from last time but could only do about 20 and book says 100

BasilLeaf you did better than me! I thought I'd try my arm at a few exercises from the dvd, and some I found really tricky (such as the bum and hip one were you sit on the floor holding on to the barre - although in my case this had to be a table top...) well, once awkwardly positioned into the instructed pose, I found it near on impossible to dip my knee and keep my foot high enough to go back and forth, so I'm not sure if my execution was acceptable!

On the positive side, I managed to do the 'plies' and the pelvic scoops/loops quite successfully, and am already feeling the pain in my thighs! Of course it is a good pain though Annnd to make matters even more exciting, Amazon delivered my Callanetics book this evening, and so I've been reading that with interest for the last few hours...

With regards to the number of repetitions, Callan seems to be very eager to point out that you should only do as many as you can and work up from here - and believe me when I say it is going to be a good while before I even contemplate trying 100!

The book is super though, and includes a few moves that are not on the dvd. Also, the extra written instruction, along with the modifications will no doubt prove useful to me, so I'm really glad I bought it!

Really going to put my all into it tomorrow and let the countdown begin....

I found the 'Sorting Shit Out' thread too, and followed...

This brings back memories, I had the original video back in the late 80's and remember it really working - albeit I was very much younger and bendier.

Just seen it's on Amazon Prime so might have a go this week and see if I can still get my foot up on the back of the sofa. Wish me luck!

RomaineCalm you should definitely go for it and join in on the fun!

I would say having both the dvd and the book is even more helpful because of the extra moves, advice etc.

It's really motivating to hear so many people say it works too - so keep us updated on how you're getting on the second time around... would love to hear how everyone is progressing and maybe swap tip/advice.

How's everyone gotten on today?

I've done 1 hour of Callanetics and am going to do a bit of Zumba shortly...

I can't get the hang of the bum exercises on the callanetics book/dvd whatsoever! Has anyone else had this issue? Other than that, I feel I did ok (despite doing under a fraction of the '100 pulses' I need to be working up to lol).

The DCs have been off school poorly today so my Callanetics plans did not happen. I did the two bum exercises from the book just now and was shocked by the gelatinous wobble of my thighs and arse whilst trying to get them to do what Callan says. It’s been a few years since I did them last and the exercises feel (weirdly) simultaneously that they’re really hard but also not doing anything

I’ll try again tomorrow.

This is one of the photos from the book that I mentioned

BasilLeaf, that is the photo that's keeping me motivated! Though how true these claims are, I can't help but be a little sceptical...how about you? To believe or not to believe...

Well, I hope your DC's are feeling better and that you've managed to get some callanetics in. I've been at it a few days now, and tbh I have slight muscle fatigue in some places (i.e waist and thighs) but nothing that's going to stop me in my tracks...

With regards to the bum exercises, I know what you mean! I'm feeling a bit 'bummed' out about them (pun fully intended) because I don't feel they're doing anything either! It's like I feel zero connection to my considerable glutes when I'm performing them. Where as, with the thigh, arm and waist exercises are definitely doing something.

Do you think it's possible it's all in the execution, and that we're just not doing them properly?

I googled some videos on YouTube and there are variations of the bum exercises, which I have tried but still zero Dom's in the that area the following day! But, then are we supposed to be in post workout pain, or is it meant to feel like you've done nothing!

IWillWearTallGreenWellies, you should definitely join us! It's never to late to join in no matter what your goal!

I'm using Christmas as my target date, because I'm fed up of looking more stuffed than the turkey, but anyone can feel free to join at any point.

Would really love to hear your experience, and hopefully results

Also, thought I would just add that I freaking LOVE the hip rotations and the ballet leg moves! You can really feel them. Also loving the stretches too and the one where you squeeze the arch of your feet on the chair legs...I reckon I'll have killer legs come Christmas - even if my pear doesn't turn into a peach haha

I took my measurements last month (at which point I was kind of watching what I ate - but failing on most given days, with zero exercise included) so, on the basis of that, I am due to take my measurements on the 26th of this month; albeit a bit premature in light of the progress I'll have made so far, but I guess these measurements will serve as the starting figures for my new regime...

Is anyone still doing this?

I do callanetics intermittently I was actually a callanetics instructor in the late eighties if you do it properly it's very effective