Ask Gilad

This Week's Ask Gilad: Cardio for the Short Term - Recommendations?

Answer:

I recommend: Gilad's Lord of the Abs: Maximum Abs

and Gilad: Xcelerate 4: #1 Burn it Off

Both are popular cardio workouts.  

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

This Week's Ask Gilad: Getting The Most From Your Abdominal Workout

Welcome to "Ask Gilad" - a weekly blog written by Fitness Hall of Fame member Gilad.  Thanks for reading.

Question: I have gotten to the point in my fitness program where I am happy with the results I am getting in most parts of my body.  But I still have a problem area.  I can't seem to get the definition I want in my abs.  Any suggestions?  I want a well defined 6-pack! 

Answer:

The truth is that the abdominal muscles usually work in unison and it is hard to isolate specific parts.  However, different positions and angles can help shift the emphasis of the exercise to a specific part of the abdominals. 

Basically we divide the abdominals as follows: Upper abs, lower abs, obliques and transverse abdominals.  The transverse abdominals are the muscles that pull your belly button in toward your spine.  In order to get the most out of your abdominal workout no matter what angle you choose, always start the exercise by consciously engaging the transverse abdominal muscles by simply pulling your belly button slightly towards the spine, then execute the exercise while maintaining that posture. This simple 'trick' will help you get better results no matter what part of the abdominals you are going for!

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: Diet Tips to Pair with Exercise to Lose Weight

Question: You are always stressing the importance of good nutrition to go along with your exercise regimen. What kind of diet do you recommend to go along with regular exercise?

Answer:

I would have to write a book to fully answer this question. And the truth of the matter is, "I have!". It is titled the 'Eat Right Now' nutritional program and it is available on my website. But to sum it up, making a commitment to eating nutritional foods is a far cry from putting yourself on a diet, and it will bring much better results without any deprivation. While dieting or denying yourself food is a negative step, committing to eating nutritious foods is a positive step. Once the commitment to good eating is made the benefits follow naturally and easily.

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: Commitment Issues With Your Fitness Routine: How to Stay On Track

Question: 

I'm having a hard time staying committed. What can I do?

Answer:

The number one thing I see is that people are setting unrealistic goals. Not reaching your goal is one of the most demotivating factors that can causes commitment issues.

Set one small goal that you can achieve, then do that again. Achieving a goal small or large is evenly satisfying and gets you motivated to keep going. Selecting activities you enjoy is also important for motivation.

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

This Week's Ask Gilad: How to Break Your Weight Loss Plateau!

Question: I have lost 10 lbs and now I have plateaued. Any suggestions on how to overcome this?

Answer:

You need to mix it up, if you do the same exercise routine day in and day out your body will adjust to it. The metabolism makes adjustments and becomes less effective in burning excess fat. Shock your system by mixing up the workouts. Adding different activities into you life is beneficial too.

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: Advice for Post Surgery Weight Gain

Welcome to "Ask Gilad" - a weekly blog written by Fitness Hall of Fame member Gilad.  Thanks for reading.

Question: "I need help! I use to be able to do multiple VHS tapes of yours years ago. I have had a multitude of surgeries so I've stopped working out and as a result have gained 40lbs. I am now able to start a program of exercise & diet control. I can't work out vigorously but I can at least get my heart rate above my resting heart rate. What advice can you share?"

Answer: 

Best thing of course would be to start back up nice and slow. Let the body get back into the groove before you go to the next level and always take it one step at a time!

In regards to DVD's that could help you at this point I would suggest the 'Beginners Weight Loss and Toning Program', 'Sculpt and Tone' and even 'Step and Tone'. All are easy to follow and suited for the level you are describing here. Wishing you a safe and consistent comeback!  

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.

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.

Curb Your Sweet Tooth

Question: I have a very active sweet tooth and that is my downfall when it comes to losing weight. Is there any 'cure' for a sweet tooth? 

Answer: The problem with eating sweets is that the more sweets you eat, the more you crave them.  Somehow we have to break that cycle. When you are craving sweets, try substituting a piece of fresh fruit instead. See if that curbs your appetite.  Fruit is just like dessert but with all those extra vitamins and minerals along for the ride. And, do yourself a favor. Don't buy candy, cookies, ice cream, etc. If you don't have them readily available, you can't eat them. Stock up on plenty of fresh fruit instead. Doesn't a handful of grapes or a bowl of fresh strawberries sound good right about now?

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.

Why is Swimming So Difficult?

Question: After reading your suggestion about a 'knee-friendly' swimming workout, I started to swim. I can hold my own with your aerobics workouts but I find myself getting winded much more easily when I swim. Why is this?

Answer: Swimming laps is a great form of cardiovascular exercise. However, even people who exercise regularly and think they are in good shape are often surprised to find that they can only swim a few continuous laps of the pool before feeling very out of breath. Part of the reason is that swimming, unlike cycling or running, involves working the whole body, and particularly the upper body. Also, more than other exercises, swimming requires the conscious control and coordination of breathing with motion, something that swimmers often find exhausting.  However, as you spend more time in the water, your breathing will become as natural in swimming as it is in land based sports.

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.