Hello, I'm 21 5'3" and I weigh between 110 and 115 lbs.  I just bought an elliptical and I was wondering how many days a week I should use it, and how long and at what intensity level each time.  I am going for a toned look so I feel confident in a bathing suit this summer.  Thanks
202349
elliptical trainers are my favorite machine to work out on. I started working out last year and after only two weeks of working out and only on the treadmill I wanted something more. So I opted for the elliptical. I think you can do what ever fills right to you. everyone advances at different levels. I started off doing about 30 Min's on a variation level. I was quickly doing about 180 strides per min with ease. Depending on what kind of machine you have depends on what you can do. Don't be afraid to really go at it hard. You sound like you are already in good shape, so it won't hurt you to go at it hard and fast. Good luck.
374756
First, for all of the "quick and easy" weight loss diet pill suggestions, remember, if something sounds too good to be true... it probably is, particularly if you have to pay for it.\n\n\nOn Yahoo!Answers I find certain questions being asked repeatedly which is simply a reflection of new people participating. A couple of common questions amount to "How do I lose weight," or more specifically, "How do I lose abdominal fat?" I have gotten very positive responses from my answers when I paused to reply (and now beginning to get "It works!" emails that are very gratifying. I like helping people)... so have recently decided to put a good solid answer on my Yahoo!360 Blog (September 10) that I can point people to. These are my thoughts as a physician and athlete.\n\nDon't target losing more than about 2 lbs per week. If you try to lose faster, your body will go into "starvation mode" and get very stingy about burning calories while at the same time very efficient about storing any calories that you do provide. And it will make you feel awful. \n\nThere is no site specific way of losing fat... the old myth about working your abs to burn belly fat isn't true. To get rid of love handles, you need to lose overall fat. That happens with exercise and watching your diet. More on that below. \n\nThe most effective way to lose fat is aerobic exercise in the "moderate" fat-burning range, ideally first thing in the morning before you eat. When you wake your body is ready to burn fat and your levels of growth hormone are highest at that time. Later in the day it can take up to 30 minutes just to put your body into a fat-burning mode. \n\nAnother overlooked way to burn fat is by lifting weights. Skeletal muscle has very high caloric needs... almost twice that of adipose (fat) tissue. Put on a little muscle and you will burn calories all day even at rest. Be aware that skeletal muscle weighs more, so with this approach you may see your weight increasing while your body fat is melting away. Not realizing this often stresses folks who think they should be losing weight as a measure of fitness. Forget the scale, look in the mirror and you will be happy.\n\nTo lose a pound of fat, you need to eliminate about 3500 calories. You can do this by burning more with exercise or by modifying your diet to reduce intake. If you do a Google search on say, "swimming calories" you will quickly find a website with tables of calories burned for a given exercise. You can use such lists to estimate how many calories you are burning up with your routine.\n\nFor diet, keep a diary for a couple of weeks counting calories, grams of protein, and grams of fat intake. It is easy with online sources of nutritional information (type the name of the food and calories into the Google search engine) and packaging labels. That will let you quickly figure out where the fat is coming from in your diet. \n\nFat gives you 9 calories per gram. So take the number of grams of fat, multiply by 9, then calculate what percentage the fat calories are of your total daily calories. Restricting the calories from fat to about 20% of your total intake is ideal for a maintenance diet... that isn't overly restrictive. Of note, you need some fat in your diet. For instance, the body uses fat to produce hormones. Once you have a picture of how to modify your diet, you can drop the diary and just go back to it occasionally if you are wanting to tweek things further.\n\nThere is a subset of questions that goes further and asks about "How to get a six-pack?" The answer is the same. Six-packs are 20% abdominal exercise and 80% diet. There is one caveat... abdominal muscles will form in the position that you work them, so be certain to pull them tightly toward your spine while doing crunches, etc. Also, during most lifting, the "core is active" which means that you should be stabilizing with contracted abs
280532
First off, are you at more of a beginner or intermediate level - meaning how knowledgeable with the equipment are you?  Either way, you need a program that works for you.  You said that you work out 3 or 4 times a week, so I am going to give you a plan for 3 times a week.  \n\nFirst you want to do a 5 minute workout - walk/slight jog\nThen do about 20 or so inutes of cardio (your choice of what kind)\nMake sure after your cardio you do a 5-10 minute cool down\n\nAfter your cardio and cooldown, make sure you stretch effectively.\n\nNow, on to the weights....\n\nI would do 3 sets of 15 repetitions for each exercise below:\n\nBicep Curls\nTricep Extension\nShoulder Press\nSeated row \nChest Press \nInline chest press \nLat pull down \nLeg press \nLeg extension \nLeg curl \nAbdominal crunch \n\nObviously your weights will vary.  You want to do enough weight so that you can feel you muscles working, but not enough so that you can hardly lift them.  \n\nI hope this helps.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.  Thanks and Good Luck!!
590441
I go to a gym and use a little bit of everything.  They say to shake up your routine about every 6 weeks or so for maximum results.  I think any machine can help you, but you have to use it consistently and it's probably better to use more than one gadget.  A lot of gyms have summer specials/reduced rates for students.
3199
However much you think you should weigh. Don't let others tell you how much. All you need do is exercise daily for your heart and to stay healthy. I am in terms of others obese. I am 6'1" at 236lbs. I workout everyday for my health and not others.
239302
how often? If you're trying to drop 40+ pounds, you need to do cardio at least 5-6 days per week; walking doesn't typically constitute cardio, so pick up the pace. add strength training at least 3 days/week. if you're a newbie in the weight room, try doing a full-body circuit 3 or 4 times thru each of those days. if you want further clarification or any pointers, feel free to message me.
541065
when i was in highschool, and i just started this exercise routine, i was getting hella stronger every week.  and i would have a bm sometimes once a week, sometimes not for two weeks (no discomfort, though.).  as time went on, it went back to every 4 or so days, now i'm back to every day.  really though, if you ask a doctor, they're bound to have heard about stuff a LOT more embarrassing than this.
640427
First of all great job and god bless you for taking charge of your life to a better you!!! Now my doctor told me that it is recommended by the American Heart Association that we need at lease 30 minutes of exercise 5 days a week. So here is what i do i either jog or use  the elliptical machine for 45-60 minutes 3 days a week. Then, 2 days out of the week i get on the elliptical for 30 minutes and then i do strength training for 30 minutes. You see that is just part of my life style. One other part is asking for gods help to get me through this because without him i wouldn't be able to do this. So what ever ever higher power you believe in ask for its help and you will get it. Also as part of my healthier eating style i follow the South Beach book its great! You can order it on-line or buy it at a book store for less than 20$. Well I hope this helped you if you want more support or advice don't be afraid to email my email is jgomez3582@yahoo.com. Take care Lisa! Oh by the way my name is James
216691
I started at 185 and went to 135. My secret... I used a jump rope in my house. It drove my husband crazy, but I didn't have a gym nor the time during the day to exercise. I would jump rope for 20 minutes a night. I would then do some crunches, push-ups, leglifts, and streching. The whole routine was about 30 minutes at night. There is so much you can do at home. I cannot believe the amount of weight I loss with the jump rope. Now, I do TaeKwanDo and it really pushes me hard at night!\nIf I can do it, I believe you can. Let us know how things are going!
205500
While you are at the gym try riding the Elliptical Trainer you will lose Fat and Gain muscle at the same time depending on the level you use. You will see results quickly.
325296
Hi there\n\nI have worked in fitness equipment retail for 8 years now and have a Bachelor of Physical Education.  To answer your question, it does not matter which peice of equipment you use as long as you're comfortable on it as all cardio equipment is mean't for weight loss or cardiovascular excercise.  Ellipticals are good because they are low to no impact while still providing weight bearing activity to keep the bones strong.  Problem with ellipticals is that you need to be able to put forth $2500 or more to get one that feels good, is biomechanically correct and can handle your "bigger" stature as you'll want something well built.  Recumbent bikes are much cheaper, will provide you with cardio/weight loss excercise and are easy to use. Ellipticals are more efficient than the bikes because you use your entire body meaning more calories expended over a shorter period of time.  People also tend to get bored on the bikes. My suggestion is to go to a gym and try them both before you buy. Last thing you want is to buy something that you don't like. As for a website, I am unsure of that. Try some of the fitness equipment manufacturing sites such as many times they will have helpful hints on buying the equipment. www.precor.com, www.iamstrong.ca (this one is more towards health and lifestyle and has testiomonials).\nHope this helps!
362039
there are exercises that will target and tone those areas. It sounds like you are at a healthy weight. Don't worry about what the scale says first of all. But if you do want to tone you butt and thighs you might try climbing stairs for about 30 mins three times a week. It also helps tone the abdominal muscles.
443521
OMG!   I love to do cardio....  IF I HAD MY WAY, I WOULD DO IT EVERYDAY, but it is not practical for me at this time....  Normally I do it four times a week for at least 45 minutes but I prefer close to an hour... And when I have slacked I like to do about 80 minutes to get me going again...  It has too many benefits to not want to do it though this is extreme it is good for the jump start!  \nMine is usually done on an elliptical or treadmill since I have a history of asthma... But anything is better than not at all....
293061
I'm 37 year old white female, married, 2 kids, college degree, registered nurse.  My workout routine consists of 3 days a week of Curves machines for 30 minutes, and 2 days a week of cardio (treadmill, stationary bike) for 30 mintues.  It seems to be working for me!
162278
You can try riding teh Elliptyical Trainer if you have access to a gym. Youwork-out your arms, chest, stomach, glutes, and legs. It is an awesome overall work-out. Also, My Dr. recommended the Medifast Diet. It teaches you to eat 5-6 Small meals a day, every 2-3 hours to speed up your metabolism and you lose weight quickly and healthy with very little exercise. I lost 26 lbs. so far. I can give you the number and stuff. Just e-mail me at lovejae247@yahoo.com
203300
being almost 5'4 your healthy body weigh is between 120-130 depending on your body frame. at 112 you are already underweight. try exercise with weights or resistant bands to tone up you"ll lose inches but not weight.
515068
have you been eating more?  How long are you working out? and hour? half hour? Remember first that muscle weighs more than fat does..really...most adults should strive for 30 minutes of exercise everyday..to loose weight you'll need to increase your cardio and decrease your caloric intake..lost 22 pounds this summer...was really strict w/calories..no junk, no mid am snack, mid pm snack was steamed veggies, reminded myself that it was okay to be hungry, and worked out 5-6 days a week for a minimum of 60  minutes, more like 90 minutes a day...drank tons of water and iced tea..it worked but it was hard work...you can do this..have an epiphany to change your life and embrace good health