Ask Gilad

THIS WEEK’S “ASK GILAD” BLOG

Question: When I am hungry I tend to eat anything I can get my hands on.  Needless to say, this has led to some bad choices.  How can I avoid this?

Answer:

Have a question for Gilad? Click HERE and send it in! Gilad will choose one question each week to answer.

Find out more information about Gilad and his Fitness DVD's HERE.

Overcoming Setbacks

Question: I was really making progress with my fitness program and then I got distracted for a couple of weeks. I gained back 6 pounds and now I am so discouraged with myself that I am finding it hard to start again.  How do you get over these setbacks?

Answer: Don't forget to encourage yourself.  It is easy to overlook our small successes and not give ourselves the credit we deserve.  Congratulate yourself for all those small changes and successful steps.  And if you don't achieve your goal right away don't give in to discouragement, because of change, large or small, is never an easy process.  There are always pitfalls along the way.  If you can't follow your fitness program for a day or a week for whatever reason, don't feel guilty about it.  Let it go and start fresh the next day.  Allow yourself the benefit of being able to start again.  Do not wallow in self-criticism or harsh self-judgment...and don't let anything make you give up your goal.

Have a question for Gilad? Click HERE and send it in! Gilad will choose one question each week to answer.

Find out more information about Gilad and his Fitness DVD's HERE.

New ASK GILAD Blog Now Up!

Gilad's New "Ask Gilad" blog is now posted.

Find it HERE.

Simple VS Complex Carbs

Question: What is the difference between simple carbohydrates and complex carbohydrates?

Answer: Simple carbohydrates are the ones that should be avoided.  They are sugars that are converted too rapidly into glucose and absorbed by the blood.  This gives us an immediate shot of energy followed by a sudden fall in energy.  Simple carbohydrates include sweets like candy, cookies and desserts and also anything made with white flour, including sandwiches made with white bread, white rice, flour tortillas, etc.  You may notice that after a lunch of a sandwich on a French roll, an hour later you suddenly feel tired.  That's because white flour has almost the same effect on the bloodstream as straight table sugar.

Have a question for Gilad? Click HERE and send it in! Gilad will choose one question each week to answer.

Find out more information about Gilad and his Fitness DVD's HERE.

Counting Calories

Question: Is counting calories a good way to lose weight?

Answer: I, personally don't count calories...but I do believe that you should be knowledgeable about calories. If you understand that calories are not created equal it can steer you in the right direction when you are deciding what to eat. Some foods are rich in calories and poor in nutrients and others are just the opposite.

Have a question for Gilad? Click HERE and send it in! Gilad will choose one question each week to answer.

Find out more information about Gilad and his Fitness DVD's HERE.

Ideal Body Fat Percentage

Question: What is considered a good body fat percentage?

Answer: Most women have somewhere between 15 and 38 percent body fat. They should have approximately 15 to 25 percent body fat. Marathon runners and other advanced athletes may have lower percentages. Most men average between 12 and 24 percent body fat. Men should have approximately 10 to 19 percent body fat. Physically fit men may go as low as 6 to 12 percent. 

Find out more information about Gilad and his Fitness DVD's HERE.

Exercise Results

Question: I started an exercise program last week and I can't see any improvement. How will I know when it is working?

Answer: There are several things to look for to see if your fitness level is improving. Often when you are in the middle of something it is difficult to see the small changes that are occurring. That's why record-keeping can really help you. It gives you written proof of the improvements that are happening. Keep a notebook documenting your exercise sessions. Include facts like when you exercised, for how long, what you did, how far you went, how fast, how you felt, how much weight you lifted and how many times, what stretching exercises you did, etc.

Have a question for Gilad? Click HERE and send it in! Gilad will choose one question each week to answer.

Find out more information about Gilad and his Fitness DVD's HERE.

How To Stop Binge Eating

Question: When I am hungry I tend to eat anything I can get my hands on. Needless to say, this has led to some bad choices. How can I avoid this?

Answer: Two things come to mind. Don't keep sweet, or empty calorie snacks on hand. Don't buy ice cream, chips or fancy pastries. If they aren't in the house...you won't eat them. Only keep whole wheat snacks and lots of good fresh fruit. 
Keep in mind that your food is the fuel your body runs on. When you want to eat something, think to yourself,  "What food will give me lots of energy and make me feel good if I eat it?" The more you ask that question, rather than just grabbing the first edible thing you see, the better you will eat.

Have a question for Gilad? Click HERE and send it in! Gilad will choose one question each week to answer.

Find out more information about Gilad and his Fitness DVD's HERE.

This Week's Ask Gilad: Gaining Flexibility

Question: I like to work out with weights but afterwards I tighten up. I need to work on my flexibility and I know that means stretching.  Do you have any tips for me about flexibility training?

Answer: The most important part of flexibility training is stretching each muscle within the limits of comfort.  Forcing a stretch, or over-stretching a muscle beyond what it can comfortably do actually causes the muscle to contract in order to protect itself from being torn.  This is the opposite of what you want to achieve.  You want the muscle to lengthen, expand and relax in a stretch.

Have a question for Gilad? Click HERE and send it in! Gilad will choose one question each week to answer.

Find out more information about Gilad and his Fitness DVD's HERE.

Getting In Shape

Question: I am going to start a workout program. How long will it take me to get into shape?

Answer: How fast will you get to the goal you set for yourself?  If you are committed to a program and really work at it, you can achieve noticeable results in 6 short weeks, good results in 12 weeks and excellent results in 6 months. The most important thing to remember is to let go of the idea that you can accomplish your goal faster if you take a short cut such as a crash diet or working twice as hard as your body can handle in its present condition. In fact, those are two sure ways to put you right into the 'roller coaster club' of those who gain, lose, gain, lose and so on. 

Have a question for Gilad? Click HERE and send it in! Gilad will choose one question each week to answer.

Find out more information about Gilad and his Fitness DVD's HERE.