Frequently Asked Questions
Q: One of my New Year’s resolutions was to take part in a marathon in the next year. I am active but don’t exercise every day. What kind of exercise regime should I set myself?
John Marshall-Warren, Harrogate
A: Obviously, the best way to train for a marathon is to go running. If you are a regular exerciser, start your training 4 months prior to the run. The best way would be to buy a magazine called ‘Runners World’. This will provide you with all the information you need in order to finish. Good luck, John.
Q: The thought of spending hours pounding away on a treadmill for the sake of burning off the equivalent of a digestive biscuit doesn’t really inspire me into action. What are the best calorie burning exercises?
Michelle Lyle, Wetherby
A: Working hard on a treadmill or any other aerobic activity will only burn calories off at the time that you exercise. Aerobic exercise is great for improving fitness although if it is fat burning you are after, why not speed up your metabolic rate by performing a good toning workout. Muscle cells are fuel-hungry machines and will keep nibbling away at that fat long after your workout has finished. Muscle exercise will burn off those bickies quicker than aerobic exercise.
Q: I have recently been diagnosed with asthma and whilst tests show animal hair and dust mites are the main cause, low impact exercise can leave me quite breathless. Can you suggest any activities which may be less strenuous but will still be effective?
Lesley Gellately, Harrogate
A: All exercise will be good for improving your lung capacity though you must remember to work at your level when you exercise and use a rate of perceived exertion to ensure it isn’t too tough. On a scale of 1-20, 1 being easy, aim to work between 10 and 15 for aerobic exercise to be beneficial. Use this method when you are swimming, attending aerobic classes etc.
Q: How long will it take to see my body change for the better?
A: It all depends how often you exercise - if you are training twice a week regularly, you should see some changes after 10 weeks. If you exercise more frequently, you will see changes happen more rapidly.
Q: What is the best exercise to flatten my tummy?
A: Doing a million sit-ups won't reduce the fat on your tummy. Sit-ups or other abdominal work will only tone up the muscle in that area. To reduce fat on your tummy, you must do aerobic exercise regularly combined with lots of healthy eating. This is the only way you can get rid of fat.
Q: How can I lose my gut?
A: Similar to my last answer, fat burning comes from regular exercise and healthy eating. Unfortunately, you cannot spot train. This means you can't lose on specific areas, fat usually comes off from where it went on last.
Q: How do I measure weight loss myself?
A: First of all, fat is what we want to lose, not weight. Chopping your arm off will lose you about 2 stone, but that's not the weight you want to lose. The best way to measure yourself is by taking a waist measurement, feeling how your clothes are fitting you or using a body fat instrument. For more options, buy my latest book entitled "Lose Fat Forever".
Q: When is the best time to exercise?
A: Probably in the morning as exercise speeds up your metabolic rate for the rest of the day. Exercising closer to sleep is probably not as effective for fat loss as training in the morning. However exercising at any time for most of us is better than not exercising.
Q: Why aren't I losing any weight?
A: First of all, how are you measuring your weight? Scales are still used by a lot of people and do not tell you your fat weight. They only show you your total weight. This may be more if you exercise with muscles as muscle weighs more than fat.
Q: What should I eat after exercise?
A: Eating one hour after exercise is probably better as your metabolism is still stimulated and food digests more quickly. Never eat heavily too close to exercising. Eat lightly at least 90 minutes before training.