Elliptical and its madness

I know I know - we've already been over the elliptical stuff BUT I work out almost 6-7 days a week - ALWAYS, start off on the elliptical for about 30 mins, level 3 - And calories burned is only 100 - What?!?!??!?!?!? I increased it last night and went 45 mins and I only  burned 140 cals WHAT!?!?!??!  Then I go to work my body, arms, legs - I cant do the things that involve my back anymore - I was working on the ab machine but it hurt my back worse than it already does.  Anyways, my question is, is the elliptical accurate? worth it? should I try something else? ( NO TREAD) does that big ball make a better tummy? I NEED SECRETS PEOPLE!

I have recently started using the elliptical myself, and here are some tricks I have found thanks to my husband.  First, if your machine has a heart monitor on it, work to get your heartrate between 130-160.  Sustain that for more than 20 minutes and you should start burning fat instead of just getting cardio strengthening.   Also, up the incline--my husband is a dynamo--he goes for 60 minutes at level 10, 75 lbs resistence and burns 1000 calories.  I am no where near than, but the harder the resistence, the more the calories burned.  (It's also great on the backside.)

And...... you can't always trust the calorie counters on the elliptical machines. Does it allow you to input your weight? Apparently the ones that don't assume you are a 5'7" male weighing 175lbs.... or something like that.... nothing like me, or you I'm assuming? :)

When I work out on my elliptical for about 30 minutes it says I burn around 300 calories, depending how hard I'm pushing myself. But, if I calculate it with the CC activity log, it is usually closer to 500 calories!

I can't imagine that you are only burning 100 calories in 30 minutes, especially if you are upping the resistance and going at a decent pace (50-60 per minute)

If you can work out for 30 minutes with your heart rate around 160, you're getting a good work out... no matter what the machine says!

RESULTS from cardio...

 Do first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.  This way your body will burn fat stores... rather than having to burn food in your stomach first.  Also, use a HIIT principle burn's more calories and jump starts metabolism more.

For 20 minutes:

 

> First 3 minutes - go 50%

 for the next 14 minutes: alternate every other minute at 100% then back to 50%

> Last 3 minutes - go 50% cool off 

The calorie counter won't be reflective of that effort.. most likely.

Also.. you ladies want to lose your tummys and tone?  Life weights with your legs... and back.  2 largest muscle groups.  Pound of muscle here or there... burns more fat per day.