Ask Gilad

Skip the Butter

Question: I have been buttering my toast for as long as I can remember.  And before that, I was served buttered toast. I can't imagine eating toast dry as you suggest in the 'Eat Right Now' nutritional guide. How do you do it?

Answer: You need to become aware of the foods that are good for you and focus on them.  Personally, my diet has improved a lot over the years. For example, when I was growing up, I liked to butter my bread like everyone else I knew. Of course, I didn't have any awareness that butter is loaded with fat and not good for me. And truly, I didn't care. Now that I am older and a little more aware of the importance of what goes in my body, I try to avoid using butter.  Now, if I taste a slice of buttered toast, it tastes very strange to me.  It is just a case of choosing to modify your behavior for your benefit.

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.

The Best Low Impact Workouts

Question: Which of your workouts are low impact? I have knee problems and even though I love your high impact workouts, I just can't do them anymore.

Answer: I get asked this question at least once a week. If you have back or knee problems you are wise to avoid high impact aerobics. Never push to the point of pain. 

The truth of the matter is, all of my workouts can be done without using high impact moves.  All you have to do is keep one foot in contact with the floor. When I hop or jump...you step.  "But I am not getting as much of a workout" you say. To increase your cardiovascular work, increase the size and range of your movements or the extension of your arms, all the while keeping it low impact.  If you find yourself working too hard (if you feel out of breath and uncomfortable) reduce the size of your movements or eliminate your arm movements altogether.  You should be able to breathe comfortably during the whole workout.

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.

THIS WEEK’S “ASK GILAD” BLOG

Question: What is a good resting heart rate?

Answer: Everybody's metabolism is different so there is no ideal resting heart rate but you should take note of what yours is. Your resting heart rate can be used as an index of your general level of aerobic fitness. The lower your resting heart rate the more cardiovascularly fit you are. Regular exercise is going to lower your resting heart rate...which will benefit you any time you are not at rest and your heart needs to pick up the pace.  It is a good idea to know what your resting heart rate is now, because as you become more fit your resting heart rate is going to drop and that will mean that your heart can perform with less effort.

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.

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.

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.

The First Steps to Being Healthier

Question:  I am pretty set in my ways and I have a hard time changing old habits to benefit my health.  Is there some kind of system I can use to help me change for the healthier?

Answer: First you have to identify the health and fitness goals you want to achieve.  It helps to write them down.  Then, identify the lifestyle changes you need to make to achieve these goals.  Be sure that your lifestyle changes are not ones that seem impossible to you.  Remember, you want to build success into your program.  Here are some examples of clearly defined goals and the lifestyle changes that will help you achieve them.

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” BLOG

Question: I started an exercise regimen a couple of months ago and I am feeling better every day. The problem is, I don't seem to be losing any weight...at least not very fast. What is my problem?

Answer: It sounds like you are on the right track...and there may not be any problem at all.  Since muscle is 2 and a half times heavier than fat, the answer is very simple, and it ties in to both exercise and nutrition. When you exercise on a regular basis and eat a healthy diet you are constantly challenging your muscles to perform causing them to get stronger and denser and to weigh more. At the same time you are burning off fat. In other words, you are turning your body into a lean and healthy machine. You are gaining muscle weight and you are losing body fat. 

People who are very muscular can weigh more than people of the same height who are sedentary. But the people who are more fit will be slimmer and wear smaller sized clothes. Enjoy the change!  

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.

Is Coffee Bad For You?

Question: I am not what you would consider a 'health nut'.  I am not on any specific diet but I am aware of what I choose to eat and that is half the battle.  The problem is...I do love my coffee. Please tell me that it isn't bad for me.

Answer:

  Caffeine is a habit that many people develop as young adults, and it often gets out of control.  Caffeine is not recommended for a healthy diet because it over stimulates the nervous system, can increase your susceptibility to coronary artery disease and can eventually cause stomach ulcers.  It is also a diuretic and so it depletes us of vitamins and minerals.  It has been linked to an increase in appetite, craving for sweets, insomnia and nervousness.  Caffeine is commonly associated with coffee and tea, but it is also found in soft drinks, chocolate and many over-the-counter cold and headache remedies.

I know it may be hard for you, but try to limit yourself to one cup a day.

Gilad

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” BLOG

Question: How would you describe the way you eat?  Do you have to be obsessive to maintain a healthy life style?

Answer: Like anything else, it is all the way you look at it. I do not consider my eating habits obsessive in any way. I consider myself a 'natural eater'. 'Natural eaters' eat to supply their bodies with the fuel they need to live each day. They concern themselves with what foods will energize and sustain them. They eat only until they are satisfied, never any more or any less. 'Natural eaters' are aware of what foods are good for them, but they are not obsessive about calorie counting or eating exact amounts or types of food. 

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” BLOG

Question: Will running be a good addition to my fitness program?

Answer: If you are past the beginning exerciser stage I recommend you start a mixed program of running and walking. Find a fairly flat path to follow. Hill running will come later.
Walk slowly to warm up, starting slowly and then increasing your pace after about 5 minutes. Then, when you feel warm and ready, jog a few blocks. When you start to feel winded, slow your pace to a brisk walk again. Keep this run/walk pattern going for 20 minutes and then slow to a walk for a cool-down for the last 5 minutes.
A routine like this added to your existing workout, will be a welcome change of pace...and will get you out into the fresh air.

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.