When I was in my thirties and way after I’d had my two sons, I found Callanetics, “Look 10 Years Younger in Twelve Hours”. I started out with the book, then bought the video tape. In three weeks I went from being a tough, pretty solid, farm girl body to a killer model’s hard body! It was amazing and I felt great. I had a flat tummy, the most amazing legs and my behind, well, without saying how much I love that, you could break walnuts on that baby. I kept them up for seven years. And then on and off after that for several years staying pretty toned.
A few years ago, I got busy and lazy and gave up my daily exercise routine of Callanetics. I was still walking which was good and helped burn calories but it didn’t tone my body.
Last summer, my core muscles failed me when I needed them most and my back twisted. You probably remember seeing photos of Oliver and me laying on the floor, me with an ice pack and he with his forehead against me trying to figure out why we weren’t going out walking any more. It was physically painful and emotionally really hard to know that my lack of taking care of my muscles was the reason I was out on the floor. And short of cussing, of which I don’t do much, I did cry a bit. It was pretty awful.
The reason for this post is to tell you that I am back into Callanetics again. They’ve come a long way in all these years, they’ve really changed. I loved the old ones and I think they were probably faster to slim and firm but the new ones are safer for the back and way more fun. They don’t seem as hard to me as the old ones were. And they have a cardio routine now which is just a whole lot of fun for me.
I’ve been working the CardioCallanetics for the past six weeks, one hour at least five times a week. Some days I do only the toning CallaneticsEvolution which is great but my goal is to tone and lose some of the weight I’ve gained while being out of action with my back. And again, just like when I was in my thirties, I am amazed at the speed of my body to snap back to it’s former lovely tightness and feel. I not very vain but I do have to look in the mirror every morning and smile at my waist as it gets smaller. I have a way to go yet but every day I will, and want to, do this for a full hour. At the end of the hour which comes really fast, she says, “Close your eyes and thank yourself for doing this for you.” It’s the most wonderful feeling that my body is once again working like it should.
The first change I noticed this time was that my jeans were pressing on my behind, way up high, it felt like someone was following me. Amazing to get that lift so fast. When I showed my physical therapist last week what I was doing and rolled my abdomen for him, he laughed and said, “Well, Girl, keep that up! Not many women your age can do that! I am impressed! You’re done here unless you need me again.”
I will never, ever let my core muscles get weak again. I’ve done it on and off through my life and every time I’ve let myself get weak, I just don’t feel as well or strong.
Is there a down side to these? The only thing that can possibly be called a down side is that at first your belly might get a little bit bigger as your muscles grow and you might gain some weight because you’re building muscle. The muscle will take care of the fat eventually and the belly starts to flatten so smile when you see that happen and know that all the stuff we don’t like will get smaller and eventually go away altogether. If you’re out of shape, it might take a few days before you really feel like you’re doing the exercises well because it’s hard for muscles to do stuff when they haven’t done it for so long. Keep it up, though. You’ll be shocked and have a smile on your face all day the day that your leg comes up and your pants fit better. When you see how these change your body, you’ll be hooked. I love these exercises! It’s more like ballet and stretching than work.
If you want to see some photos of me when I was in perfect form, I’ll be happy to find them and post some. And when I get back into perfect form again and I’m getting there fast, I’ll post new photos. The testimonials that you see at the Callanetics website are true. I know, I did it myself.
I’m pushing way too fast for sixty. I want my next sixty years (I plan to live to 120) to be the best of all. I’ll do it with a hard body, a smile on my face, and a song in my heart!
So my rave reviews for CallaneticsEvolution and CardoCallanetics. Do this for yourself and get killer legs, firm upper arms, and a great behind that doesn’t lay snoozing against your leg.
Give yourself a gift today. I am not affiliated with this company but I have bought their tapes and DVDs as love gifts for the past twenty years. You know me, that’s a huge recommendation!
One last note, they work for guys, too! You guys increase muscle in your arms, chest, and thighs and lose inches in your waist. We women slim, get a better chest, and lose inches in all the hard to lose spots. Amazing how that works.
Here’s the link and they are affordable.
http://www.callanetics.com/testimonials.php
Darcie,
Somewhere in the boxes of old VHS tapes, I have a Calanetics video. I had forgotten all about it and about how great a workout it was. Thanks for the reminder. I’m off to buy one of the new ones.
Thank you, Darcie! I needed to hear this. I’ve had chronic back pain for years, when after years and years of being fit, I had a foot surgery which went hugely wrong and couldn’t walk for a year. I remember hearing about Callanetics back in the day, but never tried it, but I trust your recommendations on all dog matters, so I will trust you on this, too. I’m ordering the DVD’s for sure. And yes, let’s see the pics! Melinda
Dear Melinda, I’ll dig out the pics. Some are Halloween so a little more than what I usually dress like, lots of laughs. LOL! Start slow with the Callanetics, they have three women you can follow, beginner, intermediate, and challenging. Enjoy! About pain, check these guys out, I am amazed at what they’re doing. Hruska, here’s their link http://hruskaclinic.com/home – Darcy
Hi Darcy, Thanks for the review. I actually tried the new Callanetics DVD at home, but so far I have had a hard time learning it. Did it take long for you? I did the old Callanetics, but wanted to try the newer version. Maybe I can go back and retry the dvd again since you are having such good results with it. Angela
Dear Angela, Yes, I have to watch the DVD each time to do it. The Cardio part takes some concentration and listening to follow all the way through but I find that concentrating hard on what I’m doing and what’s coming next makes the time go faster. I have found that over time I’m learning it by heart so I could use it when I travel. It’s not as easy to remember as the old ones but it’s more fun! Keep trying, it doesn’t matter that you get it right every time. If I can do this, anybody can! LOL! I was in town today and a person I hadn’t seen for a while commented on my weight. “You look good, My Dear. Back to your fighting weight?” Which means, perfect weight I think. I didn’t tell them that I’ve gained 5 pounds. I just said thanks and smiled.- Darcy
Hello Darcy, Thank-you for this post, I know it’s been quite awhile since you wrote it and if you are checking in I hope you are willing and able to respond to this reply. I love Callanetics and your story as well as Melinda Wright’s could be mine! I had a couple of major foot surgeries that has left me with limited walking abilities and a back condition complicated with arthritis. Just a mess! I was a Callanetics instructor in the 90′s and in great shape but when the owner of the studio closed the doors and life as I knew it ceased (long story) I lost my desire for about 12 years to stay in shape. Now I am back training for re-certification and determined to get my strong body back. It’s amazing how our muscles are so forgiving and in no time I am feeling and seeing great improvement. I hope you are still as enthused about your strong healthy body as you were when you wrote this post. I too am rapidly approaching 60! Yikes!! Feels funny to say that!! Anyway, I hope all is well with you and look forward to hearing more about your quest for good health. Bobbie
Dear Bobbie, Oh yes! I love a strong, happy body. I fight the same fight that everyone does, that middle…that darn middle that goes up and down up and down…but I refuse to give up and it pays off. Right now I’m wearing the same sized jeans that I wore in high school even though the then size 7 is now a size 1 or 3 depending on the maker. (Whoever decided that resizing our pants was a good idea?! LOL!). I love healthy. Thanks! – Darcie
hi there
I loved reading this,I know exsacly what you mean.callanetics is real life magic,there’s nothing else quite like it.
I feel so grateful to have found it.I found the book in the library.
I found Callanetics years ago when I was desperate to get in shape after hurting my back. It quite literally saved my back and has allowed me to function normally and work as a housekeeper with a bulging L4-L5 disk *with*no*pain*. I also have a severe S-curve, mild scoliosis and broken arches. Callanetics strengthens the muscles so much that these problems just don’t give me any trouble. Sometimes I get lazy (or get the flu for weeks) and get off it but when I want to firm up again, I just do them for 3-4 times and I’m back into shape. One thing I love is that the stomach exercises help me eat less at each meal-I have a huge appetite and only feel satisfied when I’m practically bursting (yeah, TMI). I just feel like eating less because there’s less room for huge meals. Callanetics has been good to me and I’m back on track (again). Thanks for your inspiration and good work.
Please do post pictures if you can, I’d love to see them!
Hi there,
I too am nearing 60, and did Callanetics years ago, and have been slowly getting back into them. I never had any program create the kind of body that these do.
I wonder if the new methods are better than the old. I miss Callan and the other teachers can not hold a candle to her, but the new ones do seem easier, and if you are getting good results, perhaps I will stick with the new.
Thanks for the inspiration, I too would like to live to be a healthy 120!