The Eliptical: Instant Gratification
I have totally converted to the elliptical machine. After hearing Josh's mom rave about them at our gym, I couldn't help but give it a try again. I've been on the machine before and they scared me. They were fast and I felt weak on it. This time wasn't too different, I felt weak and then it got easier. I got used to the rhythm and before I knew it 45 minutes had passed and I burned close to 450 calories.
After seeing how hard I was working and how quickly calories were burning off I knew I could never go back to the stationary bike. Watching the calories add up pushed me even harder to keep going. That same amount of time on the bike usually burns 200 calories. I had my play list on and I just got in the zone with it. I wasn't bored at all.
So, it's Sunday and I'm going to work on some meal planning/prep for the week. I have a boot camp DVD that I'm going to give a go later on today, I'll let you know how it goes.
After seeing how hard I was working and how quickly calories were burning off I knew I could never go back to the stationary bike. Watching the calories add up pushed me even harder to keep going. That same amount of time on the bike usually burns 200 calories. I had my play list on and I just got in the zone with it. I wasn't bored at all.
So, it's Sunday and I'm going to work on some meal planning/prep for the week. I have a boot camp DVD that I'm going to give a go later on today, I'll let you know how it goes.
posted by Lorrie at 11:06 AM
26 Comments:
i love love love the elliptical.
its the only exercise at the gym i enjoy :)
Yes Yes yes! I love the elliptical. You can burn oodles of calories, raise your heart rate and read or watch tv without all the fuss and impact of running.
Yes Yes Yes! I love the elliptical. It's all the calorie burning power of running without all the impact, so it doesn't hurt your knees!
Good for you! That is great that you found a machine you love! I try to incorporate all the machines in my work outs. Some may feel easier, but you are recruiting different muscles to complete the task, so you are varying your workout.
Keep up the great work! =)
The elliptical is a staple in my work out. It's amazing how much faster you burn calories, and how little impact is has on your knees.
Bless that invention!
I love the elliptical but don't dismiss the stationary bike just yet. After a couple months of elliptial I was soooo bored that the bike was a refreshing change of pace.
But until that happens I say rock out that elliptical girl!
*sigh*
I miss the elliptical.
wont bore you with why---but Im relegated to the bike for a bit.
Miz.
hey hello :)
My name is caroline, and I am from Malta. I happened your pages by mistake really but I find you so inspiring. I am a constant dieter too....just started my diet again for the...errrmmm...11th time-this year :/ I am still hoping to get the diet-life balance as you mentioned in your blog. Hopefully this time it'll yeald some weight off bec I feel really jailed in my appearance. Sometimes i feel so sad to know that I have locked myself into this situation by eating so much! Pls keep up the updates as I really enjoyed the read. This saturday i'll be buying the bento box when i go to the market cos it is such a GREAT idea! Thanks for your thoughts! Good luck in your training! alexis_cmb@hotmail.com
i love the elliptical aswell!
Elliptical definitely kicks stationary bike butt. Its definitely one of my favorites too. Im glad you did it and hope you keep it up!
The elliptical is definitely the best when it comes to burning lots of calories. I have started jogging on the treadmill, and I still burn more on the elliptical.
The ellptical is a very good choice not only because it's efficient, but because it doesn't give your knees the beating that a treadmill does.
You might want to check to see if the ellipticals your using have a reverse mode. Mixing up the foward and reverse modes will help even more with consistent calorie burning. (Plus, it'll exercise muscles you probably didn't know you had. :-))
Great blog BTW!
Hello, my name is Shalisha. I live in New York City. I was reading your blog. I love it. I read the entry for (I think, 9/12) and I totally understand, starting another diet that failed. You said I'm 259 pounds - again. I used to be 213 pounds - over and over and over again. I tried every diet there was.
That was 10 years ago. I lost 90 pounds have kept it off for the last 10 years. It's not as hard as people think:) Nope, nothing radical at all. But I do remember the pain and struggle!
Where do you live? I mean what city?
I give a big high five to the elliptical! I love throwing it in reverse mode halfway through my workout and feeling a completely different set of muscles getting worked.
The first time on an elliptical I couldn't even last 5 minutes....the second time I lasted an hour, just like you when I saw how much I was burning, I was converted...I kinda see the stationary bikes as a waist of time now.
Exercise is such an integral part of a successful weight reduction and maintenence routine, so congrats on finding a method you are enjoying so much! I too shed about 135 lbs years ago, and have successfully kept if off, after learning that diet and exercise alone aren't enough....that's why so many people end up regaining it. I wrote a book about my journey and my discoveries (including the fact that it wasn't the food that was making me fat) called "Why Are You Weighting?". I realized there had to be reasons I kept the weight or regained the weight, and once I figured those out, my weight stopped being an issue for me as it normalized and I learned to live differently. Continued good luck on your path! I wish you well.
Hi there
The elliptical is my exercise drug too!! The treadmill seemed mundane to me but stepping on the elliptical one time and I was hooked.Even bought one through hsn for my home.I have it right beside my bed so it stares at me when I wake up:) Ipod is must too.When I feel my self dreading to exercise even with that I add some new music on my ipod and I'm off.Someitmes I dont want to get off because one of my fav songs is coming on next:)Enjoyed your blog,have a good one
Tamara
www.losingweightwebsite.com
I have such a hard time with the elliptical. I do enjoy the rowing machine though. I agree you should change up every now and then so you don't get board with your work out program.
Glad you found something you get on with. I find listening to music really helps. The one album that helps me is Here Come the Drums by Rogue Traders,love the music, I find myself dancing along as I am jogging or walking! lol
Jane
Absolutely fabulous that you have found an exercise machine you like. I would still use the other machines though as if you just stick to the one machine you are likely to get board very quickly.
Keep up the good work!
Just checking on you... are you melting away? :)
Hope all is well.
Elliptical, bicycle, treadmill....what really matters is that you do something! And if you love it, all the better! Personally I like the bike because I can catch up on my reading while cycling. Right now I am reading "Why Are You Weighting?" and it is a fascinating look at why we keep fat and/or regain the weight...I'd recommend it.
The elliptical is my absolute favorite. I always hurt when I get off the treadmill. It's either my shins or my feet fell asleep (weird, I know) but on the elliptical, I can push through a full 60 minutes and the only reason I want to stop is from boredom rather than pain.
That's good to know, because I (also on the natural weight loss road) felt the same way the first and last time I tried an elliptical machine: weak and unsure.
I'll have to give it another go, and be patient.
I also enjoy working on the eliptical machine because you can move quickly or you can turn it into a virtual hiking machine by increasing the incline.
62 lbs. gone in 3-1/2 months and have never felt better!
Keep up the good work. I enjoy your blog.
I decided to invest and bought a Precor Eliptical- a home version of the ones at the gym; it was expensive, but I use it at least 5 days a week. I have a tv in front of it and tivo all my shows, and I am only allowed to watch them if I am working out! It works great! And I have no excuses.
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