Even those who know a lot about how to lose weight properly, have questions from time to time. What do you do if you have a diet or a weight loss question? Ask Questions is one way to go about it, but you only get my perspective, which is the only opinion you need to hear anyway, because I am always right. I am kidding, of course.

While it is true that I am rarely wrong opinionated,  it is great to hear what other fitness experts have to say on the subject of dieting and weight loss, which bring me to Ramona Braganza, a  well-known personal trainer who answers the questions below.

Does diet soda make you crave sweets? Research is inconclusive as to whether the artificial sweeteners leave you wanting more sugary treats. But sugared drinks like sodas and juices? Yes. “Anything that raises your insulin level makes you crave more sweets,” says Ramona.

Will the Stairmaster make your butt big? Possibly. “It will really work your glutes and hamstrings,” says Braganza. Instead, she advises toning your tush with walking lunges and squats.

Can lifting weights bulk you up? “Women don’t have enough testosterone to get too bulky,” says Braganza, who does recommend sticking to five- to eight-pound weights, especially if you build muscle fast.

Do cleanses work? “For weight loss, no,” she says. “I’m still about the old-fashioned way: eating healthy, hydrating and exercise.”

Can you shape up just by doing yoga or Pilates? “They improve flexibility and core strength, but you have to do a variety of things to get into shape,” she says. “Add strength training and cardio.” [via]