Hi there. I am a 36 yo male, 5'6", 165-170 pounds. I have been at that weight for a few years now but would like to get in better shape. I have started to do some little things recently as far as diet such as eating smaller portions, cutting back on fast food, cutting back on sugary drinks. I also want to excercise more so I won't feel tired and lazy as much. I am ruling out the gym because I know I won't take the time to go. The weather around here is not that great except for the summer months so I do try walking or jogging around the neighborhood but then it seems like there will be a few nice days and then its rainy or I get busy and don't go out again. I am thinking if I have an elliptical or treadmill (I am leaning toward the elliptical because I have tried treadmills before and don't like the pounding on my legs) in my house that is actually convenient, I would be more likely to stick to that since I can do it anytime. It seems like I have the most free time at night before bed after my baby goes to bed. My wife also wants to lose a few pounds and get in a little better shape as well so this would be for both of us. So I guess I am just looking for advice to see if this will do any good. I am confused as I see some people say that they lose weight by running and some say they don't. Do I need to do something with weights as well, or can you lose weight just by better diet and the elliptical? Any advice will be appreciated.
Will an elliptical do me any good?
- Thread starter dman
- Start date
If you enjoy it or can put it in front of a tv etc. to be able to ignore it, this will do you immense good.
Remember start slow and easy and stay there until you are ready for more chalenging stuff like intervals.
Remember start slow and easy and stay there until you are ready for more chalenging stuff like intervals.
This is not a bad idea. And yes you need to maintain proper diet along with it. The elliptical machine can be very good for weight loss if used correctly. Although elliptical machine is popularly known as gaining more muscle machine. Although that's nothing bad, because once you have more muscle you will have a faster metabolism and will burn more calories.
Maximum people do not set the resistance high enough in order to get maximum results. The elliptical is a "momentum" machine. The momentum gained after starting the machine keeds it going with minimal effort from your muscles.
Just keep in mind that lower resistance/fast pace burns more calories, but won't make you bulk up.
Maximum people do not set the resistance high enough in order to get maximum results. The elliptical is a "momentum" machine. The momentum gained after starting the machine keeds it going with minimal effort from your muscles.
Just keep in mind that lower resistance/fast pace burns more calories, but won't make you bulk up.
Thanks for the advice. I was thinking of having it in front of a TV as well and figured that would make the time go by faster. About 7 years ago I was in the 160 pound range and I started working part time at UPS sorting packages and it was basically 3 hours per night of fast paced moving packages and I lost 20 pounds in less than a month and then maintained at about 140 pounds while I worked there and I would often stop for fast food on the way home at 3 in the morning and eat that right before bed! I imagine that was possible because my metabolism was a lot higher and I could burn off all those calories (and I was younger!). And don't worry, I am not thinking about eating a bunch of junk food again! 
But I get the general idea. So would it be a good idea to start off with lower resistance and faster pace to burn calories? How many times a week and how long per session is a good place to start from? I have read where you can actually burn more calories on an ellipitcal than a treadmill with it feeling like you are doing less work, is that true?
As far as which machine to buy, we can't afford to spend $1000 on a real nice one. I have seen the cheap ones that I wouldn't touch as they feel like they are going to fall apart, but I have tried some in the $500-$600 range that actually feel pretty solid. When I buy something that is somewhat expensive, I do tend to make sure I use it, so that will be another motivational factor to use it. I actually got on one at Costco the other day and it felt nice and I was thinking if for some reason this doesn't work out or we don't like it, at least it is easy to return there. What is difference between the front and rear drive ellipticals? I appreciate all the help and advice and am looking forward to trying to get in shape because I am tired of always feeling lazy and being too tired and feeling too full and bloated.
But I get the general idea. So would it be a good idea to start off with lower resistance and faster pace to burn calories? How many times a week and how long per session is a good place to start from? I have read where you can actually burn more calories on an ellipitcal than a treadmill with it feeling like you are doing less work, is that true?As far as which machine to buy, we can't afford to spend $1000 on a real nice one. I have seen the cheap ones that I wouldn't touch as they feel like they are going to fall apart, but I have tried some in the $500-$600 range that actually feel pretty solid. When I buy something that is somewhat expensive, I do tend to make sure I use it, so that will be another motivational factor to use it. I actually got on one at Costco the other day and it felt nice and I was thinking if for some reason this doesn't work out or we don't like it, at least it is easy to return there. What is difference between the front and rear drive ellipticals? I appreciate all the help and advice and am looking forward to trying to get in shape because I am tired of always feeling lazy and being too tired and feeling too full and bloated.
Being a costco fan myself I expect the one you are looking at there is a NordicTrack folding trainer. If so they are good. My wife loves them, personally not a fan of ellipticals so won't go of my opinion, I like running and cycling because I'm strange and it gets me to and from work.