Ask Gilad

Gilad's Workout Routine

Question: What is your personal workout routine?

Answer: My own personal exercise regimen involves quite a bit of cross training. I vary my program all the time. For instance, I used to combine both long distance and short distance running, but lately I have been more into riding my bicycle. I swim in the ocean. Of course, living in Hawaii is like having a pool right at your doorstep. Occasionally I will play soccer or do other sports activities like scuba diving. I strength train with weights on the average of three times per week, and of course I teach aerobic classes.

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.

Drinking Water

Question: Lately we have been hearing a lot about whole communities being poisoned by contaminates in the water system. How do we know if our water is safe to drink?

Answer: The quality of tap water varies greatly throughout the world, even throughout the United States. Rarely will you find tap water that has not been tainted by chemicals, either in the chlorination process or through ground seepage.  In general, I recommend buying bottled water or installing a water filter in your kitchen. The small cost is definitely worth the investment in long term health.

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.

Stress and Exercise

Question: I have a lot of stress in my life right now and because of it I have basically quit exercising and I am eating too much and gaining weight.  What can I do to get out of this downward spiral? 

Answer: The truth of the matter is, exercising is an excellent way to fight stress. The stress cycle is normal for the body, but when it is repeated too frequently and too intensely it begins to affect our overall health.  A body that is constantly subjected to stress will have higher blood pressure, tense muscles and digestive problems. Continual stress also taxes the immune system so it becomes harder for us to fight off disease. Eventually, too much stress leads to illness and exhaustion.Try to avoid food when you feel stressed. The tendency for many people is to eat too much of the wrong things when under stress. You want to eat only when you feel calm and under control, and when your digestive system is functioning smoothly.So get up off that couch and start working out. It may be tough at first, but once you get started you will find yourself blowing off steam and feeling better and better. This is the way to start getting out of that downward spiral.

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.

Making Time for Your Health

Question:  Lately I have been skipping my workouts.  Not on purpose, but I find myself at the end of the day wondering where the time went.  I was just too busy all day to take time to exercise.  Does this happen to you?

Answer: I schedule a time for my workouts.  It's right there written in my appointment book.  It is the same as any other important appointment or scheduled activity.  It's like piano lessons or school meetings or an important business meeting. You will always be able to think of a good reason to skip a workout or eat a meal that isn't healthy for you.  There are always things to be done that seem more important...but you know what?  Nothing is more important than taking care of your health.  That is the most important lesson that fitness has taught me. 

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.

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.