Ask Gilad

Is It Too Late For Me To Start Working Out?

Gilad:

I am 63 years old and I have never really been on an exercise program. Now I am overweight and starting to have health problems. My doctor wants me to start taking pills for high blood pressure and cholesterol but they don't agree with me. Am I a lost cause?

Answer:
I can see that a person in your situation could be nervous about trying to start a regular exercise program. It must seem like an overwhelming task to you. But let me assure you, the people that achieve the greatest and most noticeable benefits from exercise are those that have never exercised before! Many studies have proven that even people in their eighty's and beyond can achieve significant physiological improvements, in muscle strength, bone mass, lowered body fat and cardiovascular health, by beginning an exercise program and watching what they eat. Exercise does not discriminate. It is good for everyone! 

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.

What Am I Doing Wrong?

Gilad: I exercise and eat well off and on. I set goals for myself and when I reach them I 'reward' myself letting go and eating whatever I want. It doesn't take long to gain the weight back. Each time I start the process over it seems to get harder and harder to stay motivated. What am I doing wrong?

Answer: Fitness is a journey, not a destination. Too often people look at fitness as a purely goal-oriented activity - a way to lose weight and look better. That's a start. Your real goal, however, should be to make fitness a part of your life. The benefits of fitness, both physically and mentally, are enormous and ongoing. But there is no end point to fitness. It is a life-long pursuit. But that doesn't mean it's a jail sentence. In fact, as any life-long exerciser will tell you, quite the opposite is true. I hear it time and time again from people who exercise on a regular basis. They believe that the physical and psychological benefits are so enormously rewarding that they wouldn't give up exercising for anything.

The next time you reach your goal, reward yourself by setting another!

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.

Metabolism Verses Diet

Gilad: How does what I eat affect my metabolic rate?

Answer: If your goal is to lose weight you are going to want to increase your metabolic rate. Regular exercise raises your metabolic rate and plays a major role in building lean muscles and burning body fat. The more lean muscles you have the higher your metabolic rate will be, even at rest, for this very simple reason. Muscles burn calories. Fat does not!

To better understand how food works in our metabolism I will use a campfire as an example. The flames represent the body's metabolic rate and the logs represent the food. If we don't add logs to the fire eventually the flames will burn out. If we overload the fire with logs chances are good that it won't burn well. In fact, it could easily choke! The best way to keep a good fire going is to add logs on a regular basis. The same goes for your body. You need to feed it regularly with quality food to keep the metabolic rate burning most efficiently.

Maintain a healthy balance between a good diet and regular exercise and you will be amazed at how quickly you will see and feel the changes in your body and energy level!

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 Gaining Weight During a New Workout Normal?

Gilad:

I have finished the first 4 weeks of the 'Quick Fit System' and am starting on week 5. The other day I unconsciously ran up some stairs at work and I was hardly out of breath. I completely surprised myself as normally when I climbed stairs I would have been huffing and puffing. Thank-you for such an effective program. My only concern is that I haven't seen any significant weight loss yet. In fact I have gained a few lbs. Is this normal?

Answer:

When starting an intense fitness program it is not uncommon to gain some weight because your muscles are developing and becoming denser. I would not worry about it at this time. Just stick with the program. Your body will adjust and will find its own balance and correct weight.

The true test to the success of your program was when you realized that it was easier for you to climb stairs without huffing and puffing. You are on the right track!

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 Perfect Crunch/Sit Up

Gilad:

I just started week 5 of your 'Quick Fit System'. I am feeling stronger and healthier than ever before. 
My question is about crunches. After a few in the abs workout it feels like I am just moving my head. I continue to try to do them and compress my abs. Any tips? Am I on the right track?

Answer:

First I want to congratulate you on your achievements with the 'Quick Fit System'. It sounds like you are getting good results.

In regards to your question about how to do the crunches correctly, it is crucial with abdominal exercises to have the right form.

Typically when doing a crunch you should allow the head to lean against the palm of the hands and try to keep the neck and head as relaxed as possible. The focus should be on contracting your abs.

 Stick with the program! It sounds like you are on your way!

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.

What are Functional Moves?

Gilad:

I have heard you mention 'functional moves' during some of your exercise routines.  What are 'functional moves'?

Answer:
'Functional moves' are exercises that involve several muscle groups moving synergistically to perform a task.  For example, in everyday life, moves like picking up a bag of groceries and putting it on the counter or stowing your luggage in the overhead bin are functional moves because they involve several key muscle groups to accomplish. 

This type of exercise is great because it teaches you how to perform strength and toning moves while your heart is in an 'aerobic state'.  And that will cause you to burn more calories over the course of your exercise routine.
Most importantly it is good practice and preparation for all types of sports activities.

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.

Reshape Your Lower Body

Gilad:

What are the best exercises, including weights to tone and build muscle in the thighs? I especially need to firm up the inner thigh but interested in more intense exercising in buns and thighs. 

Regards,

Nancy

Answer:
The best exercises for the buns and thighs would be squats, lunges and inner thigh toning exercises. I think you will find all you want in my Power and Grace workout. It's the best workout I have for reshaping, toning and strengthening the lower 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.

Trying to Lose Baby Weight?

Gilad:

I am trying to lose baby weight and get back into exercising to be more healthy. Which DVDs would be a good starting one again. Thanks!

Answer:

I would recommend the Weight Loss and Toning Program, it will help you get started and get you back into shape back after pregnancy.

Thanks

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.

Fitness & Diet Do's and Don'ts

Gilad:

What are some fitness/diet do's and don'ts for hard training male and females 50 years old plus? 

Answer:
When we go into our fifties it is more important than ever to pay close attention to our nutrition since the metabolism slows down and everything we eat seems to want to stick to all the wrong places... Nutrition wise it is very important to eat lean and healthy foods and of course not over eat.

Lean proteins, good complex crabs (yams and sweet potatoes, brown rice, whole grain etc.) green veggies and 3 servings of fruits a day are a good base. In regards to exercise, when you get into your fifties consistency becomes way more important the intensity.

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

Gilad:

Good day, Gilad.
I pray you are well and having a great day.
I have diastasis recti and was wondering how this can be corrected without surgery.
Thank you.

Answer:
I think the best thing for this situation is to consult a physical therapist since they would need to determine the level of separation in the abdominal muscles. It is difficult for me to recommend any specific exercise without understanding your condition better. I do believe that with the right physical therapy you can avoid having to go through surgery. I wish you all the best!

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.