Ask Gilad

Posts in the personal development category

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: 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.

Diet or Exercise?

Question: The main reason I exercise regularly is so I can eat whatever I feel like eating. Sometimes it works OK but I find myself having to increase the amount I exercise and sometimes I can't keep up. What do you suggest?

Answer: Neither component, diet or exercise, is really effective over the long term without the other. People who go on strict diets to lose weight but don't work out will probably lose some weight, but they will lose both muscle and fat.  These people will probably still be unhappy with how they look.

People that exercise and don't cut back on the fat in their diets also have a hard time achieving a low body fat ratio. If you walk 2 miles in 30 minutes you will burn around 200 calories (depending on your weight and fitness level).  If you run 3 miles in 30 minutes you will burn about 350 calories.  But the math always works out to the fact that you have to burn 3,500 calories to lose one pound. That's going to be a lot of running or walking!  If you exercise a lot but don't cut the fat out of your diet, you will get stronger but you won't decrease your body fat level nearly as dramatically as you would if you were eating properly as well.
 
Find a healthy balance for yourself and you will reap the rewards.

 


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.

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