A lot of questions!

I've had the lapband surgery and have quite a few questions about exercising, burning calories and lack of sweat!  Here's the base and stats to help answer any questions.  I work out on the elliptical trainer at my work for 15 minutes a day and based on my height 5'5 and weight 268 its says I burn approx 340 calories.  I keep the machine between 2.6/2.7 and 3.0/3.2 for at least 13 minutes of the work out.   1st question - Do I really burn that many calories?  I was walking a 17 minute mile and it said I burn approx 140-150 calories.  Can I really over double the calories burned in my work out by using the elliptical?  2nd question - I do not really sweat!  What's up with that?  Does that mean my body is not getting the benefits of exercise?  Am I still burning calories if I don't sweat?  I'm a big girl - I should be sweating!  Once Bob Green (on Oprah) said - If your not sweating your not working!  Is that true?  I'm working with in my target heart rate.  Usually I'm between 65-80 % my max heart rate based on age (30)  3rd question - I'm not only interested in burning calories I really want to strengthen my heart especially since I have quite a bit of family history of heart disease.  Do I need to hit 30 minutes a day to get the heart benefit from it?  I know these are a lot of questions and any answers you have would be greatly appreciated!  Thanks,   Jennifer

Hi Jennifer!  I'm no Jeremy or Earl, but here's my thougths! 1.  The elliptical is engaging many more muscles than the treadmill, so yes, you are burning more! Also, the resistance is greater - your legs bend deeper and push against your body weight on the elliptical. 2.  Sweating varies with the person.  My HEAD sweats and i get like one stream of sweat from under my arms! I think stay with it, and keep working hard - you will sweat somewhere.  It may be that this is the first time you are doing regular exercise and your body is still adjusting (you don't say when you began working out, so I'm assuming on this) How long is your typical workout? You may need to build up more time overall to start sweating and get your body going. 3.  30 minutes daily minimum is the most widely known recommendation for heart health. 

I am new to exercising how did you guess?  Unfortunately I'm one of those who does not lose if I eat sweats and don't exercise.  So I'm looking for the most bang for my buck! I don't have a ton of free time with 9 month old twins in addition to a 11 year old and a 13 year old. Which is why I wanted to make sure that if I do the elliptical I'm actually burning those and doing my heart good also.   As far as a workout routine goes - I don't really have one - I just do the elliptical and nothing else!  (I know its bad) I just don't know what else to do in a short amount of time and especially with out other gym equipment. Any suggestions?  My only thing is I do not like to walk on a Treadmill, they disorient me for some reason.   Should  I try to boost the elliptical or do something else?  I don't belong to a gym the elliptical is at my work and the only other thing they have is a stationary bike (old style) and treadmill.

TWINS! wow, you are challenged for time. If you can join a gym with babysitting, you'll get more than your money's worth - LOL. Til then, i would do the elliptical at work and buy a ball for home to do some things on:  crunches, push ups, etc. You can look up several types of leg lunges to do, other floor work.  Once the weather gets better, get them babies outside -  invest in a jogging stroller.  best of luck to you.  For now, try to get in three days a week, minimum.  5 is better for weight loss, but in your case, do what you can!!!!