Advice for working out?

[Anonymous]

Two things: I know pretty much nothing about working out, and I'm in horrible shape so I'm starting small.

My goals are primarily to slim down, improve my endurance, and gain a bit of strength. My plan (for now) is to use the elliptical in my home, 6 times per week. Each day I exercise, I'd total about 15 minutes, using a playlist of 5 songs for structure. Each song marks a change in how I use the elliptical.
1) Pedal normally
2) Balance on left foot so I -have- to use my arms
3) Pedal backwards
4) Balance on right foot so I -have- to use my arms
5) Pedal normally, but faster

I've tried this twice now and I end up collapsed on the floor feeling like I can't move, so I'm at the limit of my endurance rn. I figure, as I improve, I can use longer songs to extend the workout. And the "balance on one foot" thing is mostly because I can't seem to stop using my legs when both feet are on the pedals.

But anyway, do you think this routine would give enough variety for muscles being used? Do you think it would help me achieve my goals, so long as I modify it over time to account for the progress I make?

[Lovelinefan]

Not sure how the whole balancing on one foot only thing is going to effect the elliptical machine, so you might want to make sure that's not throwing things off balance and wearing out the machine.

Ease in to it. The first week or two you will probably be out of breath, but keep doing it and building up time and intensity as you go. After a few weeks you'll be able to do the workout that you started out with and not be out of breath at the end, that's the whole goal.

The elliptical is good, but try some bodyweight exercises in addition. Squats, lunges, pushups, sit ups, etc.

Use YouTube to find bodyweight workouts and exercises. There's a ton of free info online. And be consistent, don't expect overnight results. A little bit every day over a long period of months and years will pay off much more than going crazy for a few days, wearing yourself out, and giving up because it's too hard.