Ask Gilad

Sweet Tooth

Question:  I have a major sweet tooth. How does a person with a sweet tooth avoid sweets?

Answer: If you are craving something sweet, try a piece of fresh fruit and see if that curbs your appetite.  Fruit is just like dessert, but with all those extra vitamins and minerals along for the ride.

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.

Swimming for Exercise

Question: Hi Gilad, I have been doing your workouts since my early 20s. Started with your show on TV, then many of your exercise videos. I am now close to 50 and would like to ask you what the best combination for a woman of my age. Strength, cardio, Pilates or yoga in order to stay fit. Cardio has become tough as I seem to feel it in my joints. I was thinking I should stick to swimming.
I would like to tell you that of all the exercise trainers that have offered exercise videos over the years, none have been as motivating as you are. Your form, cueing and your personality are perfect (I still do your step aerobic workout with a bit more difficulty now and I keep it low impact).  All the best and hope to hear from you. Jennifer

Answer: Aloha Jennifer, I would highly recommend a weekly fitness program that include all the disciplines you mentioned, they are all equally important!
Swimming is one of the best overall exercises you could do since there is little impact on the joints.
Swimming is very effective for overall conditioning since it develops your cardiovascular system as well as improve your strength and flexibility.
For best results I would recommend doing each of the activities you mention including swimming on a regular basis.
Another Idea would be to each week alternate between 2-3 activities, focusing one week more on strength, second week more on swimming, third week more on yoga etc. The more you mix it up the better for your body and the more fun you'll have!
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.

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.