after that i just get bored or feel too knackered... is there anything else i can do to lose weight? Could i do weights instead?

15 minutes is ok, it depends how often you are using the machines. You could do weights as well but not intead of. Why not engage a personal trainer from a local gym to go through it with you.

Ruth

I can get completely out of breath on a rowing machine in ten minutes but can walk or cycle for hours. Depends how intense you want your exercise.

My preference is for classes at the gym. Try out some different exercises to see what you get on with. It's usually easier if you have an exercise partner.

Don't beat yourself up about it... just try and build it up by even 30 seconds every time you use the machine, and you'll soon be able to do much more without even really realising.

However, Matt Roberts, The Times' fitness expert, suggests that the best way to lose weight is through variety - do ten minutes on one machine, then change to another for the next ten, then onto another (or the first one again) etc. etc. You're more likely to work harder, as you won't get bored, and will end up burning a lot more off.

Another way to burn more calories (34% more, in fact) and keep yourself interested (even though it is, admittedly, much harder work) is by doing interval training. Pedal like mad for a minute, then gently, gently for two minutes to recover, then pedal like mad for another minute, and carry on like that. Ten minutes will be up in no time, and you'll be much fitter, much quicker. Time is not necessarily of the essence...

Are you going to a gym?

If so, take headphones so you can listen to the TV, and do a mini circuit swapping machines - try the rower, elliptical, bike, treadmill etc. It could just be a mental block because they can be mind-numbingly boring, but if you get on knowing you're only going to do 10 minutes, it's not so bad. Then do the same with the next, etc. That way you'll get a variety of muscles being worked and won't get bored, but you'll also have done 30 or 40 minutes without realising (honest!).

And weights are good, but only as an addition to your cardio, not as a replacement.

thanks for your all your advice...

yes i'm going to the gym.. i keep hearing that weights are the thing that help get rid of the fat in the long run..comflicting opinions...i was hoping weights were enough but i suppose not - good advice about mixing machines - will try that but think it is a mental block...how many times a week you reckon i should go to actually lose weight?

Weight training will help you, but that's because you will burn fat and gain muscle and look more defined and lean, but you won't see the muscle if you have too much fat covering it. Also, muscle burns more at rest than fat, so the higher proportion of muscle you have, the more calories you will burn even when you aren't doing anything.

To lose weight (ie burn fat) you should aim to keep your heart rate in the fat burning zone, rather than the cardio zone. Check the machines for the exact heart rates because that depends on your age.

At the end of the day, to lose weight you need to expend more energy than you take in. If you eat chips and cake for every meal and snack, then you would probably have to spend all day at the gym! At the end of the day it depends on you and your eating habits. From a health point of view they say that 3 to 5 times a week you should raise your heart rate for at least 30 minutes, so again it depends what else you do.

Three times a week would be OK to go to the gym I would think?

Agree with others, variety keeps you busy and the TVs at the gym keep me adequately distracted! Always make sure take my headphones as the time goes so much quicker if can concentrate on something else. Also does your gym have a pool or classes? Try those out too to keep things interesting!

I think that means work hard enough to sweat a lot - some people seem to think that if they are on a cycle machine and their legs are going round while they read a magazine they are lgoing to lose weight.

Keep at it, the more you do the more you will be able to do.

Losing weight is not just about running, its about a lifestyle choice.

Walking is also a good starting point, but the only real way to run further and faster, is to RUN and RUN.

Eventually you will be able to go further.

The bordem side of it, just get easier in time, a good i pod or a break up of training pattern can help.

So do 15 minutes on the runner, then 15 on the bike, then 15 more on the runner.

Push your self, you will be amazed what the body is capable of.

Ummm - that's me! I do read or watch TV while on the bike, but I do actually work quite hard at the same time - I don't think the two are mutually exclusive.

To fat burn you need to raise your heart rate and keep it raised for a period of time for the real fat burning to kick in, but the fat burning zone isn't so you are working so hard you crumple into a sweaty heap on the floor after either.

hi all, walking is an underrated exercise. low intensity long duration, just raise your heart rate a bit and if you keep at it your basic conditioning will improve x