Ask Gilad

This Week's "Ask Gilad" Blog

Gilad:

I travel a lot so I am constantly eating in restaurants. I know the meals I am eating are not the healthiest for me but I have to select from what is available. Do you have any suggestions for people in my situation?

Answer:
When eating out there are many choices you can make to help you maintain a healthy diet. First, stay away from fast food restaurants as much as possible. It is more difficult to get healthy meals there. Try to pick a restaurant that offers healthy food choices with fresh natural foods. It is a lot easier to find healthy restaurants these days than it was in the past because the public, as a whole, has become a lot more conscious about what they eat. I find that most restaurants these days will try to accommodate special requests such as 'dressing on the side' for your salad, minimizing or eliminating calorie rich sauces and substituting salad or steamed veggies for calorie rich carbs. I think that you will find that many restaurants will even accommodate alternate preparations such as broiled or steamed vs. fried. The key is to be aware of how you would like to eat and ask for it! You will find that most times you will be accommodated.

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This Week's "Ask Gilad" Blog

Gilad:

I started a new fitness program on the first of the year and am afraid I won't be able to keep it up. How do you manage to stick to a daily exercise program?

Answer:
First of all, congratulations on your decision to start working out! Step one has been taken, and that is the most important one! In regards to sticking to a fitness routine, you should know that you are not alone. Everyone faces the question of how to sustain a workout program long term....even professional athletes. Here are a few tips on how to help you stay motivated.

1. Start off easy and at your own pace. Do not try to do too much too soon.

2. Set small achievable goals.

3. Don't set contracts in your mind that your body can't keep.

4. Set aside time in your day when you know it will be easy for you to fit in a workout.

5. Always walk away from your workout with energy to spare. Don't over-do it.

6. Make it fun! 

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This Week's "Ask Gilad" Blog

Gilad:

Your 'Get-Off-The-Couch' DietBet has just ended. Do you intend to do another?

Answer:
The answer is yes! The first DietBet was a big success. We had a lot of winners and we are following it up with another starting January 5th. Now is your chance to get some help with your New Year's resolution. It is great to see everybody involved participating and encouraging each other. Weight loss programs always work better with positive reinforcement from other participants. And remember, I will be checking up on you on a regular basis. I encourage you to sign up today!

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

This Week's "Ask Gilad" Blog

Gilad:

What is your favorite location to shoot your videos and TV shows on?

Answer:
Hawaii is just overflowing with incredible locations. In the last couple of years I have really started to appreciate 'Sharks Cove' on the North Shore of Oahu. It looks like we are in a spectacular picture postcard. We shot the 'Bodies in Motion' 30th Anniversary shows there and the 5 DVDs in the 'Lord of the Abs' series. Take a look at them here and see if you don't agree.

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This Week's "Ask Gilad" Blog

Gilad:

Hello Gilad, I have lost weight everywhere but I can't seem to get my midsection reduced. Any suggestions?

Answer:
It always seems that the area you want to lose weight from the most is the area you lose the weight from last. This is very common problem for many people although the problem area varies from person to person. Some hold the extra weight in the abdominals, a common problem for men, while woman tend to hold extra weight in the hips and thighs. Regardless of your specific problem area the solution is simple: PERSISTENCE! Look at what you have accomplished already as your motivation and let it lead you into conquering that last stubborn area. You can also spend a little extra time on specific exercises to target your problem area. In the case of the abdominals, I recommend my "Lord Of The Abs" DVD series. This is a "Core Cross Training Program" that will get your entire body in shape while focusing on the core. I am a firm believer that if you stick to your fitness program and eat healthy that you will be able to accomplish your goals and even get rid of that last bit of stubborn fat.

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This Week's "Ask Gilad" Blog

Gilad:

I have reached a plateau in my training/weight loss, what should I do?

Answer:
The word "plateau" in my opinion is often over-used. It is typically a condition that describes professional athletes who have been over-exerting their bodies on a regular basis and are in need of more rest. Many times it will happen after months of intense competition. In the case of us "regular folks" we tend to use that term when, for some reason, our weight loss has stopped for a period of time or when we feel like we are not improving in our fitness program. Remember, when you are on a weight loss program and are working out, you are losing body fat and gaining muscle at the same time. Often the scale will not show weight loss because of the simple fact that - the muscle you gained weighs more than the fat you lost! - Also keep in mind that muscle takes up less space than fat in the body because muscle is denser. That is why often you will see inches lost but not weight loss... I would simply stick with the program understanding that the body needs time to adjust to the new regimen. If you are eating healthy balanced meals and adjusting your fitness program as you are becoming more fit, you will keep improving!

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This Week's "Ask Gilad" Blog

Gilad:

When you lunge forward you always say not to let your knee go past your toe. Why?

Answer:
It is very important for your body to be in the right position any time you do any exercise. Not only will you get more out of each exercise but you will also keep your body's working parts safe. Any movements that involve deep flexion of the knee (beyond 90 degrees) needs to be very carefully executed as it is potentially unsafe. In most cases it is not necessary to go into a deep flexion in order to get the benefit out of the exercise. A classic example is the forward lunge. The best way for you to gauge that your knee is not bending below 90 degrees is to make sure that your knee ends up in a vertical line to the middle of your foot and that it never goes past your toe line. You will notice that even in professional sporting events it is rare to see any athlete go into a deep forward flexion, if they occasionally do so, it is not in a repetitive movement such as you do when you exercise. Have a safe workout!

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This Week's "Ask Gilad" Blog

Gilad:

Do I have to be in super good shape to attend your Fitness Adventure Camp?

Answer:
As some of you already know our next fitness camp at the Kalani Oceanside Retreat on the big Island of Hawaii is scheduled to take place from the 6th to the 13th of June, 2015 and preparations have already started to make our 6th yearly camp the best one ever! Over the last 5 years at camp I have had a chance to meet, work, spend time with and get to know people from various countries, age groups and fitness levels who come to camp to work out with me in person and participate in the many other activities we offer in the course of the week. The Kalani is a wonderful location to have this event because it is secluded and away from the distractions you might otherwise find in a big city. It is a true get-away and people that come to visit us get a lot more out of the experience than just fitness. Friendships are created and many experience a sense of empowerment. What is truly intriguing is that we get participants of all fitness levels and everyone is welcome! We've had participants as young as 18 and as old as 80! Some are already fit, others are beginners and some have injuries and other health issues. Although the daily schedule is a full one including two daily classes with me, everyone is in charge of his own schedule and can pick and choose the activities he/she want to participate in. My attitude at the camp is very similar to the one I project on my TV shows, "No one is left sitting on the couch and no one will be left behind!

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This Week's "Ask Gilad" Blog

Dear Gilad:

I have been doing your exercises for the past 30 years. They are great and no fuss, no muss.

Which cardio and strength DVD's of yours do you recommend for a 66 year old male (my husband) on high blood pressure medication? Of course he will check with his doctor first but he exercises regularly. I think a good cardio and strength DVD would be good as long as not too straining.

Appreciate the time you take to answer this question which I'm sure many would appreciate as well.

- Laurette

Dear Laurettte,

There are 3 DVD's that I would like to recommend to your husband. I'm assuming he is in fair shape since you mention that he is exercising regularly.

'Cuts and Curves' for overall toning, 'Interval Training' for cardio and toning and 'Phenomenal Abs and Core' for the mid section. I believe these would work for him and of course he can always take it at his own pace and build up to the whole workout if he finds it too challenging at first. 
All the best! - Gilad

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