Hi all,
I can no longer tolerate this body that is becoming like Jello. I'm 10 lbs overweight, have a decent figure, but now that warm weather is here with short sleeves and shorts, I am appalled at my upper arms and thighs.

I've always exercised, doing brisk walking, Jazzercise, health clubs, but this past 2 years I was a slug with low thyroid and estrogen and did nothing, and my body looks like it.

While I can no longer tolerate intense, fast-paced exercise, I need a basic program for toning up these areas. I already do Curves, but I don't feel like it's addressing these issues adequately.

Can anyone recommend a do-able routine that doesn't take more than 1/2 hour (preferably less) per day to tone up those difficult areas?

I have the same problem with the upper arms!!.......went to a wedding yesterday and when I looked at the pics all I could see was my flabby upper arms......I have lost 70 pds in the last year and my upper arms look so bad........Im going to do a search for some good exercises and will let you know what I find...Valerie

I have the answer!!! I do really!!

It is called Callanetics and it is a combination of yoga and ballet moves. The movements are all very small, very gentle and VERY effective!! With this program it is not unheard of to SEE improvement in 2 sessions!!! Some of the exercises you will think are not working, until the next day! Others you will know right off are working. They show you beginners, intermediate and advanced moves so you can chose which level is right on each exercise for you.

I guarantee you will see and feel results quickly. You can google it for more information.

Yes...I agree with Floats....any kind of Yoga is a great toner and is gentle (apart from Hatha Yoga..that is hot and heavy!)

Hi Kathie,
You know, when Callanetics first came out I did it and was in my 30's. I had forgotten about that. Is it still just in book form or is there a video? Have you done it and do you think it will help with bat wings?

This is going to sound weird, but I do deep breathing with body positions. It's great for targeting specific areas as you can repeat some positions where you need the most help. The extra oxygen you take in also increases your stamina and I think we all know that extra oxygen has wonderful health benefits.

I put the tapes away for a while and just rediscovered them this week when I was feeling so horrible and stressed over losing my kitty. I know she doesn't want me to be sick, so I decided to start again in tribute to her. She always used to watch me in amusement when I did these exercises, so this will be a pleasant memory for me.

I don't know if you're allowed to post links here, so you can find out about this program by Googling "Oxycise".

bumping this us up for more input

If you are already doing curves then you must already be lifting weights. I'd suggest lifting heavier with fewer reps. Also you can't get any more basic than push ups. If done right, these are excellent for upper body. I also like Cathe Fredierck (sp?) you can check out some of her video's or look at her forum for suggestions at cathe.com she also does a daily tv show on FitTv if you want to check out her workouts before hand.

Also be sure to eat clean (no junk!) and drink plenty of water to look toned. It truly helps. (speaking from someone who still needs to lose 30 #s).

I'd suggest yoga as well. If you don't want to do classes (if 1/2 hour is all you've got), then get a dvd and do it at home. Plank position will get your upper arms, chest, back and abs toned in no time.
I love yoga. Can only get to two classes a week, but if I could I'd go every day.
So good for your frame of mind too. The breathing helps with so much.

Thanks Carol. I will check out that website. I think I havt FitTv but will have to check.

With Curves, you really can't adjust the arm machines to make it harder. It's all computerized based on what you did before.

Yes, pushups is a good idea, I'll have to start doing a couple/day.

I agree with all of this. Wanted to add that resistance bands and free weights are relatively inexpensive and easy to use at home. You could do a lot in a half hour. I started working out at home this way back in 2004, and then finally joined a gym. I found the biggest improvement in muscle strength and tone from the weight machines and the very focused breathing I did when using them. I hope you are working both biceps and triceps at Curves, Sariah.

As said above, push-ups are also really, really good. Out of boredom, I started with a couple in the night some years ago, on the way back from the bathroom. I've kept up the practice and it's remarkable how quickly the body gets the message and lets you add more. And push-ups are free, safe, accessory-free, effective on your target areas, and they don't take any time at all - a couple of seconds each.

Drinking lots of clear liquids or decaf green tea, plus maintaining a squeaky-clean diet are very good for you in all kinds of ways. I'd bet you're fine here, though. Good, focused breathing while working out and through the day also very beneficial.
Funny how often we forget about this and just barely breathe from our collarbones, slightly up and down. It's good to start by filling your belly with as much oxygen as possible, then up into the chest and then slowly back out in reverse.
Good luck with this, Sariah.

Funny you should mention the "bat wings"!!! My daughter and I were both wiggling our arms in the mirror last week, saying how we had to do something about it. Well today we did the same thing, and no flapping wings!! Sure there is still some fat on the arms, but it isn't flapping anymore!!

It comes in DVD, they have a new one and it includes instructions on proper positioning.

I am so impressed with my progress and I haven't done it that much yet!!

Hi GK,
There is a machine at Curves that is supposed to be working both the biceps and triceps, but it does them both at the same time and it doesn't seem like it does it well. I think I need some targeted exercises with weights. Or just get the bat wings sliced off

Thanks for the reminder to deep breathe, I am a shallow breather and I tend to forget that.

I sit on my sofa in the evening and do the tricep exercises with a 5lb weight. I do about 7 or 8 reps of 15 on each arm. I've been doing it about a month, and i still see fat under my arm, but the bat wings are gone!

Hi Floater,

I so need some more info on this Callanetics thing. I'm not even a heavy person, but when it hit 87 here in Ohio this weekend I dragged out some of the summer tops and was disgusted at my upper arms. They aren't fat----reallly! , but there's wrinkles or loose skin or something going on and I dread thought of having to wear short sleeves pretty soon.

Where do I go to buy the DVD? Is there a specific one I want to get to tone the upper arms? I would appreciate any help you can offer or else I'm afraid I will be sporting long sleeves all summer and sweating my bum off.

Thanks,
Donna

Please, please let me know where I can get the DVD.

I did a search and there's a Callanetics website. I noticed that there are several different DVDs, including the first Callanetics one, which is the one I just ordered.

Floater, which one do you have or recommend?

I googled Callanetics too but there is just too much there to know which one to buy. I just need someone who is familiar with the program to tell me which one is best for upper arm toning.

Donna

The DVD that I have is called Callanetics Evolution (Body by Design Toning Program).

The original program was great too, but some of the exercises have changed. I think either is fine, but the old neck exercises aren't the greatest, the new ones are way better.

The program is designed to target the whole body, and many of the exercises work on the arms plus other body parts. Arms, legs, butt, hips, back, abs, arms, shoulders, neck, even the double chin!!!

I saw a video clip of the Callanetics exercise and looks like my cup of tea! Thanks I'm gonna order it.
Robin

Thanks Floater. I'll go get the DVD as soon as I can find it somewhere. These arms are the arms only a mother could love on payday!

Darn, I knew I should have waited until Floater told us which one to order, I already ordered the original one. But I just ordered that one too.

The first one is pretty cool, even though you may find the outfits, hairstyles, etc kind of outdated!! The woman who developed these exercises is on the original and it is worth having it just to watch and listen to her. Also if you get bored with one you can switch it with the other. Pay very close attention on the "HOW" to do it, though. And let me tell you, they are a lot harder than they look! But boy, do they work!!

Floater

One more question and then I promise I will stop bothering you. As I look around the web I keep seeing one of the DVD's called Look 10 years younger in 10 days. Do you have that one? Or is the Evolution (Body by Design) the one I want to stick with? Thanks for all of your help. I want to get started on this thing as soon as possible.

Donna

You aren't bothering me at all!!

I have the DVD called Evolution, it is the newest one. The older one is also excellent, and today i actually used some of the older exercises as I am finding the ab exercises too hard for me on the new DVD. I did them from memory, and a few clips I watched on the internet. Is the Look 10 years Younger on DVD or on VHS?? I would love to get a copy of the older one on DVD!

They really do work awesome, I can't believe how much firmer I am everywhere!!

I am trying to lose some weight and I am hoping all this firm muscle mass will kick up the fat burning. I am also walking 4 or 5 times a week. It truly is amazing how quickly you can see changes if you stick to it.

Once you get your DVDs, please let me know what you think of them.....and feel free to ask any questions you wish!!

Now that's what I'M talkin about!! 10 years in 10 days? I'm buyin it!!

Floater- thanks so much for your help!! I'm heading to amazon now.....

Hi Floater,

Thank you so much for all of your help. I just bought the 10 years younger in 10 days DVD from ebay. I'll give that one a try and then maybe get the Evolution one too. I really need to get these arms in shape before summer! Hope it works for me.

Thanks again,
Donna

Hey Sariah--

Let me know if Callanetics works. I too have acquired the bat wings. I used to only worry about my rear and legs sagging now its the arms too. And they are bad. It aint pretty. Guess it will be jeans and long sleeved t-shirts for me this summer. I saw on the doctors that the only way to get rid of the sagging skin on the arms is to have it trimmed off?????? Sounds a little to intense for me. I think I will just keep them covered. And to think I used to be 118lbs and still never satisfied.
Dee

Just ordered mine.........thanks floater!....Valerie

dlt1200,
Same here. Sounds like it's gonna be an extra summe for us!
Robin

I am so sorry of your kittys passing bookworm.

Hugs
Mopsy

whooooooooooaaaa!!! 70 lbs!!! you rock, scaredval!!! will you be my coach???? i bet you looked better than you thought you did...we're all very critical of our own self when looking at pictures.

my congrats on your tremendous achievement.

oodles of hugs
(((angel)))

Valerie, seventy pounds is amazing!!! WOW!! Good for you!

After that big of a weight loss it could take a little more time for your skin to shrink. Kind of like after you have a baby it takes awhile for the skin on the belly to tighten up.

I just wanted to say that I have been doing the Callanetics for 2 weeks now, I have lost 12 pounds and I can SEE an obvious difference in my body. My waist alone is 3 inches smaller. I am obviously firmer, less jiggley, and I feel better, have way more energy. I am eating healthy, basically following the weight watchers plan. I cut sugar out except in my coffee - I just don't like it with fake sweetners in my coffee! And I still have cream in my coffee, again it is my one small indulgence. Although I did find some Sweet n Low Butterscotch candies, 7.5 calories each....one or two of them and the sweet tooth is satisfied.

Not sure if anyone has mentioned this because I have not read through all the posts, but Denise Austin's " Xtralite Beginner's Tone Up" is a good tape (they might have it on CD). I bought it back in the 90's and it has helped me to tone up while I was losing weight. I used 3 pound weights with it, you can use whatever pounds of weight you want. I sitll pull it out every now and then when am not too lazy. In fact, I am making a pact to do it at least three times a week now. She recommends that. I used to do it 5 days a week and it worked really well. It is light but it still works those muscles!!

Take care.

Also, wanted to mention it is 30 minutes long and she works on the arms, tummy, legs, buttocks. Real easy but it works.

Here's a great exercise for the "batwings."

Standing straight, hold out your arms away from your body, less than shoulder height, almost pointing at an angle toward the floor. You don't want your shoulders to come up at all. Cup your hand like you have a doorknob in it and rotate like you are opening and closing a door. Works those muscles beautifully.

Hey girls,

What happened to everyone?! I just got the DVD called Evolution, and watched some of it (meaning I didn't do anything! ). It looks like you have to maintain the proper form to get the moves right. I have a tendency to arch my back, so I can see that I'll have to work on that.

Anyway, to everyone who has one of the DVD's, let me know how it's going and let's all encourage each other to get moving!

Thanks,
Florida

I ordered the 10 years in 10 days one and am excited to get started. I had not heard of callenetics before, so THANKS! I hope they work as well for me as they are for others. I'll let you know.

I ordered 2 Callanetics DVDs and they are still sitting there I really need to get going with them. Floater's recent post inspired me so I will start tomorrow.
'

I am still doing them regularly, and walking as well. I continue to see good things happening, I feel so much stronger it is amazing! My muscles are so SO much tighter! The other night in bed my S/O was casually rubbing my leg and he said.."are you flexing your leg?" I said no. He was impressed by how firm they feel!

Now I just need to lose another 15 pounds so my ab muscles are visible!

Oh, and my butt is looking and feeling awesome for an old lady's! It has visibly lifted and rounded.

So TRY IT!!

Floater,
This is so encouraging. Do you do it every day? How much time do you spend doing it?

It takes about 65 minutes to do the entire program, which is what I do. At the beginning you probably should do the whole thing a few times until you get the hang of the moves. Later you can make your own program by choosing which exercises you want to do.

I don't do it everyday, you definitely need a day for your muscles to recover!! They suggest a minimum of 2 times per week, but I like doing it 3 or 4 times.

Oh geez, I hate exercising for that amount of time. And I hate that I hate to exercise for that amount of time because I used to love it. Up until 3 years ago I didn't mind exercising at all, and wasn't always making excuses not to like I am now.

Floater, do you think I could do half the video one day and the other half the next?

A good part of the program is stretching, which is my favourite part!!!

But yes you could split it up, as long as you did the warm up on both days. One day work the lower body and the next do the abs. I might even try that as an hour is a long time. A half hour might be a better idea! Thanks!!

Hi all,

OK, I finally tried it. I did the whole 65 minutes. I did have trouble getting the right form, and I could tell that because some of it hurt and it's not supposed to. The ladies on the DVD are so graceful and fluid- I feel like a clutz. I'm also realizing how much I slump, although my walking posture is good.

I'm going to watch it again to focus on the correct positions first, and then try it again. It does seem like it will really work if you do it right.

More later.....let's keep the updates going. Thanks Floater for the idea and all of the advice.

Florida

Florida! I think we all feel like clutz's the first few times! Make a point of watching the Callanetics Concepts as it helps teach you how to get your body in the right position. You will be surprised how quickly you will catch on. I also think, for me at least, that my muscles were so weak when I started it was especially difficult to hold the Pelvic Floor contraction and I had to really concentrate on not slumping over.....but I swear to you, it gets easier and easier. Although it hasn't gotten easy enough for me to move into the advanced moves!! Those look like they would KILL me!! And isn't it amazing how easy those ladies make it look??? When in fact it is quite difficult!

I just did my first Callenetic's - crazy - in a good way! It was very hard to get into some of the positions. I bought the 10 years younger in 10 hours, and they do some of those exercises with a ballet bar. I need to find something in my house the right height to do those better. My legs feel kind of sore/tired already - so I guess we'll see! Thanks for the tip. It's a great change of pace from my normal routine! Hoping for great results!

The new Callanetics doesn't use a bar. However when I did the old ones, I didn't have a bar either!! I would use the back of the sofa, or the rail around the stairs. I think even the kitchen counter is about the right height, I think I used that too at one time!! I will still incorporate some of those old callanetics moves into the new workout. I find the new ab exercises really hurt my back, so I use the old ones instead....at least until my back is stronger. Now I am at the point where I do some of both.

I was so grossly out of shape when I started doing the Callanetics this time around, I was like a marshmellow! I mean zero muscle tone! Talk about letting oneself GO! But it did prove to me that it truly is never too late to start!

OK, I can't believe how sore (in a good way!) I feel already today. It really didn't feel THAT hard when I was doing it, but I can feel it now. It must have been working those muscles! I think I will try to do it every other day. I think my muscles will for sure need the day off!

Thank you for posting this!! :-)

Hugs,
Mary Beth

Wow, thanks, Leanne!!!!! This is an easy one, at least I think it is.


Reminds me - I hurt my back and have to see Dr tomorrow, hope to see if I can get back to abs, too.
I used to do the same number of ab crunches on those ab crunch lap type things - and my tum tum was SO toned.
It's awful now! Must get back that, too.


Thanks again!!

XXXOOO

MB