Elliptical Question

[justdance]

Hi everyone. I'm new to this board and have lurked periodically. I am probably 100 lbs overweight right now. I am still fairly young, and I would like to get healthy and change my lifestyle. I have looked into joining a gym and everything, but the sign on fee and membership fee is quite costly just for me for a small gym setting (we're talking only a few treadmills, ellipticals, stair climbers, etc). I live in a rural area, so there's really only one gym that I could join that is close by.

Therefore, I have debated buying an elliptical from amazon and using the amazon credit card that gives you 0% interest if it's paid off in 12 months (which it would be). Honestly I could probably just buy it straight out, but I don't really want to drop all of that money right away. I think having an at-home machine would motivate me more and would make me feel less self conscious as I work out.

My question is would I be able to lose a good amount of weight just by using an elliptical? Obviously I need to build up my stamina and endurance before I start running or anything. Once I can handle more intense workouts, I will probably take longer walks and run outside. For just starting out with exercising, do you think I could lose the weight and maintain it with an at-home elliptical machine?

Thanks!

[agswife]

I love the elliptical. I think it, along with some at home work outs using hand weights (I'd buy 5 and 8 pound weights to start), would definitely help you lose weight.

Here are some suggestions:

DVDs:
30 Day Shred (Jillian Michaels)
all of The Biggest Loser DVDs
Chalean

Websites:
tinareale.com
fitnessista.com

Youtube channels:
Tracy Anderson

Wishing you lots of luck!

[spunkypenguin]

Pretty much any cardio activity is good for shedding pounds. Strength training is also important, though. I lost a good majority of my weight doing the elliptical up to 5x/week. When I got the elliptical, I was about 285. I started running when I was around 230lbs and then I alternated between running and elliptical. My workout zone is in the midst of renovation, so I haven't been on the elliptical in a while, but I still like having it for when I can't get out and run or just want something lower impact.

I am happy with my investment in the elliptical. I prefer it over a treadmill and always felt like it gave me a better workout than just walking on a treadmill. It is definitely hard at first - I think I started with 10 minutes at a time on the easiest setting, but you build stamina

[IrishBelle]

I'm a big fan of the elliptical and prefer it over a treadmill or stationary bike. My only caution would be that the would need to be a gym quality one. I have tried a few that are quite unstable and that I hated to use. Even the ones at my new gym are horrible. My suggestion would be to try one out if you can to make sure that you like that model before making a purchase.

[justdance]

Thank you all so much for your replies! Do you have any elliptical recommendations? I also already have 5 lb hand weights, and I think I will buy a set of 8 lbs too.

[spunkypenguin]

I basically went to Sears and tried them all out. I found one with a decent weight limit (which I still exceeded at the time). Mine is a Nordic Track - no idea which model, but I'm sure they no longer make it. It did not come assembled - that is my only complaint...in retrospect, I would pay the fee to have it assembled! It does squeak a little when I use it, but it's sturdy. You may also want to read about the differences between front drive and rear drive ellipticals - I don't know much about it, but mine is rear drive.