Ask Gilad

Bone Building Exercises

Question: Do you have any exercises that you can recommend for bone building?

Answer: The best exercises you can do for bone building are resistance exercises with weights. Outside of some of my DVD's such as 'sculpt and tone' 'cuts and curves' I would highly recommend getting into the gym and incorporate free weights into your regiment.

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.

Cross-Training

Question: I have been doing your aerobic workouts (the TV shows) for about 3 months now and like the results. However, I think I am ready for the next step. What do you suggest?

Answer: I suggest you mix it up a little. Jog, ride a bicycle, even start doing some weight training. This is what is referred to as cross-training. I find that cross-training is the best way to balance a good workout program. It eliminates the typical 'burnout' or 'boredom' syndrome of doing one single activity over and over. It is also more versatile and therefore easier for anyone with a busy schedule. It keeps your fitness activities more healthy, fun and alive. It also allows your body more rest between repetitions of the same activity.

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.

Cravings

Question: Why do we crave foods that aren't good for us?

Answer: That is a complex question with many different answers based on each individual. Let's just look at one all encompassing answer for now...advertising. We have been exposed to advertising our entire lives. We have seen so many commercials and print ads that advertise fast foods, sugar, cigarettes and alcoholic beverages that they have to affect us. They show beautiful people with beautiful bodies photographed in exotic locations holding in their hands cans of...you know the rest. 

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 Steak Bad For You?

Question: I love meat....but I love fruits and vegetables too. I trim as much fat as I can from my steak whenever I eat it. If you make an effort to eat your steak as lean as possible, is it still bad for you?

Answer: You have probably heard that all calories are not created equal. It's true. Calories from fat are actually more fattening than calories from other sources. Carbohydrates and proteins (including fat-free steak) both weigh in at only 4 calories per gram while fats weigh in at a whopping 9 to 11 calories per gram! (Please note that it is impossible to trim ALL of the fat off of steak.) This means that you are getting 2 ½ times more calories from fat than from equal amounts of carbohydrates (fruits and vegetables) or protein. As you can see, it is a lot smarter to get your calories from carbohydrates. Not only can you eat more with less calories to worry about, but the calories you get from carbohydrates are a lot more efficient and easily used by the body. 

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.

Avoiding Sugar

Question: I am making a concerted effort to avoid sugar. I have quit drinking soda and I avoid ice cream, candy, cookies and all other pastries. Are there any other sources I should be aware of?

Answer: First of all, good job! You seem to be avoiding the main culprits. But most people don't realize how much sugar they are getting from other sources. Sugar is the number one additive in processed foods. It is used in bread, catsup, crackers, cereals, spaghetti sauce, bouillon cubes, non-dairy creamers, cured meats....you name it. AND, it goes by many hidden names such as fructose, dextrose, honey, maple or corn syrup, molasses, etc....  Watch for these names on ingredient lists.

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.

Running For Exercise

Question: I want to start running to lose weight. My knees and joints are in good shape but I am uncomfortably overweight. Any suggestions?

Answer: If you are a beginner to exercising, or if you are more than 15 pounds overweight, you do not want to go outside and just start running. In fact, I would suggest that you go outside and start walking instead. Walking and running can produce the exact same cardiovascular benefits and will burn the same number of calories. The only difference is that with walking, you have to be out there longer. Runners can have a great workout in half an hour, while walkers would probably have to walk briskly for about an hour to get the same results.

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 Relief Tips

Question: I have issues with stress. I never want to get out of bed in the morning and I toss and turn at night. I am a mess at work and I never seem to be able to motivate myself to exercise. Any advice would be helpful.

Answer: There are a lot of things you can do to relieve stress. You can exercise regularly, drink less coffee, but let us explore one of the major factors in stress relief. One of the best coping devices for stress is lots of rest. I am often surprised at how many people I meet who say they are tired all the time, and then tell me that they get only 5 or 6 hours of sleep each night. They don't believe they need any more.

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.

Weight Training For Women

Question: I love to do aerobic exercise but am considering taking up weight training. I am a little worried about getting muscle-bound and I don't think that looks good on a woman. How can I get the benefits of weight training without the masculine look?

Answer: You are talking about strength training.  This means using barbells, dumbbells, resistance machines and your own body weight to increase your muscle strength. Years ago, weight training was considered 'men's exercise', but that myth no longer applies. Women who weight train - and I am not referring to body builders per se - have discovered that working with weights makes them slimmer, firmer, stronger and more attractive-looking than just doing aerobic exercise alone.

And it doesn't take long.  Most people who take up weight training start seeing very noticeable differences in their bodies in 6 to 10 weeks. 

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.

Cool Down Versus Aerobic Cool Down

Question: What is the difference (if any) between an aerobic cool-down and a general cool-down?

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

THIS WEEK’S “ASK GILAD” BLOG

Question: How long will it take me to get into shape?

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.