Hi all, any elliptical users?

I was just wondering if anybody uses an elliptical machine, and if so, have you gotton noticable results from it? I have lost about 118 lbs, and my results so far are really strange. I am really thin on my top half.You can see my breastbone, and collar bone,but then there is the lower half. I feel like my extra weight just slid south. I have alot of skin on my waist, thighs, and rear. I had a treadmill, but traded it for an elliptical because for one I got bored too easily on the treadmill, also I heard that the elliptical is good for toning the lower body. I am hoping to tone up my nasty legs enough so I won't need a thigh lift. The tummy tuck I know is going to have to happen after 5 kids, and one was a c-section, so I have alot of skin that's not going to bounce back. I'm just hoping to hear of other people's experiences. Have a good night Denise 278/271/159/145(my goal)

Be warned - they are of the DEVIL! I have one, I hate it with all the passion in my heart. It is a torture device created in hell. That being said, I have done it almost every day for like 6 months. I am a metobolic slug with the general body shape of a jellyfish, so unfortunately, I have not noticed any improvements. None. Not in my body, my stamina, my mental well being - nothing. BUT, that could definately just be me. I am sure normal people with normal bodies will post that they have great results with theirs. This is just my experience. Sorry, Lisa

Denise, I usually use the elliptical for my cardio. I burn more calories doing that than anything else, and it's easy on the joints. Your experience in losing from the top half of your body first is not uncommon. Just keep up the exercise and it will happen. I also added strength training to get off the last 20 or 30 pounds. Then I had a lower body lift and had wonderful results. Keep up the good work, you'll get there! Connie -147#

I couldnt agree with you more. I have bad knees and Ive never burnes so many calories and sweated so much on any other peice of equipment.

I have been using the elliptical since the beginning of my journey over 2 yrs ago. I burn more calories on that machine than any other machine I have ever done. If I burn 300 calories on the elliptical it would have been about 150 I would have burned in the same amount of time had I been on the treadmill. Plus, I lost all my weight very proportionately. And I think doing the elliptical had a lot to do with that as I had lost weight in the past and always been bigger at the bottom. I have lost a total of 144 pounds. For that amount of weight loss my legs look good. I do have excess skin mainly in the inner thigh area and could use a small upper thigh lift. But if I don't have one I will be okay too. Good luck with your elliptical. Melissa

Hi Denise. I have one in my work out room. My boyfriend uses it. He loves it but, me. OMG I hate it. I do force myself to use it at least twice a week. It does give me a better cardio work out and with the arm exercises, I'm hoping I can gain some muscle. I do use a treadmill and found that to get a bit boring, this way I can trade off. Like Lisa, I use it because I have to. Not because I want to. It's a wicked thing. In the three months I haven't noticed any results. I think I would if I used it on a regular basis. But, I see the results in my boyfriends body (he uses it six times a day) L 265/160 stuggling with a 20lb regain

Hi Denise! I have an elliptical that I've had for more than 5 years now. In the begining it got used a few months then when we moved it was never to be seen again. I had hubby drag it up in January and have been using 4-5 days a week since then. I have noticed my legs feel stronger and look a bit better from the back, but I am also using a bun and thigh rocker by Jake. I think that's really where my leg muscles got stronger. I do love my elliptical though as it does have different levels I can do. I try to change it up every week. If you work it hard you can get your heart rate up. I know other have said it makes a great place to hang your clothes and towels too. Good luck! amber 296/155/140 -141 (15 more to goal)

Hey Denise - I absolutely love the elliptical. As others have said, I get a much stronger workout than with a treadmill. I can easily get my heart rate up into my target zone and keep it there without having to jog on the treadmill. I think my butt is firmer. The thighs, not so much but I was VERY bottom heavy all my life and I think my legs are a lost cause because that's where I carried all of my weight. But that's not the ellipticals fault. I will say that it is a piece of equipment that you have to build up your endurance on. You can't just jump on it and expect to do 30 minutes to an hour like you can a treadmill. I've been working out on one six times a week for four months and I'm just now at the point where I can do 30 continuous minutes. However, my personal trainer says that you get just as much benefit from breaking it up into 3 10 minute sessions as you do one 30 minute session. So give it a try. It certainly won't hurt anything and you just may come to love it! Hope that helps! Lily

I recently added it back in as an addition to the treadmill and the circuit training I've been doing. I have bad knees and I'm taking it very slowly, as long as my left knee will tolerate. I do it at the lowest resistance the machine has, and can now tolerate 5 minutes. I do notice that my heart rate does get pumping better than it does on the treadmill or the circuit training. Sue O.

Thanks for your responses everybody! I have been doing an hour a day, and last night I pushed it 35 extra minutes. (American Idol got me through the extra minutes) I have to watch T.V. while I'm on it or I think too much about it and stop sooner than I should. Have a good day all! Denise 278/271/159/145(my goal)