[Harrypotterrocks]

The only kind of exercise I do is use my ski machine and my sit down elliptical. Is the ski machine good since I'm standing up instead of sitting down? I feel like it's working out everything.

Should I be doing strength training too? I have a doughy stomach and upper arms. I look good with clothes on but without clothes I look about 40 pounds heavier then I am.

What kind of strength training should I be doing? Like do crunches help? How many should I be doing a day? And what pound weights should I be doing? I'm really clueless on these things. So I haven't been doing them. Can you go from being really doughy to being really toned and fit, without surgery? Like can it all be done by strength training?

[mjf]

Yes, you should be doing both strength training and cardio if you want the best results.

I suggest doing mostly compound exercises (exercises that work several different muscles). Some good ones are squat, bench press, bent over row, overhead press, deadlift, and pullup. Crunches will make your abs stronger, but they won't help very much with burning fat.

I'd suggest doing strength training about 3 days a week, and avoid working the same muscle 2 days in a row. I'd suggest doing about 2 or 3 sets per exercise, and about 8-12 reps per set, with a rest between sets. Lift and lower the weights slowly.

You can start with light weights, and then based on how easy it is, you can figure out what weight would be appropriate. If you find it easy to complete a set, it means the weights are too light, so you can increase the weight. As you become stronger, you should continue to gradually increase the weight.

If you're a member of a gym, there's probably someone at the gym who can teach you the exercises. If not, you can watch Youtube videos to learn the exercises.

You don't need surgery to lose weight. Eating healthy and exercising should be enough.

[msgooch]

I started strength training a few weeks ago. I had so much weight to lose I felt like I needed to melt some fat first. You don't need machines to do strength training. You can do push ups, squats, lunges, etc. You could also buy some weights and do chest presses. There are lots of things to do. I'm starting on the abs now, which I hate, but I hate my flabby belly more.

I am for sure getting way more toned. Not there yet, but I'm working on it.

[iScreamSandwich]

I've been attending a class at my gym which focuses on strength and resistance training. I go twice a week for an hour. I've been seeing great results (lost about 6 lbs in 4 weeks). If you don't mind, I'm going to list out the exercises here roughly so that I have it for my own reference too. I must add that when you're starting out you should only do as much as is possible, with comfortable weights, and take care to not injure yourself.

Warm up & aerobic exercises (2-3 sets for 30-25 seconds between exercises)
Jumping jacks
high knees
kick backs
squats
jump squats
squat and side kicks
squat + jumping jack combo (count down 10 to 1 each. i.e 10 S + 10 JJ + 9 S + 9 JJ + ...)
jump + squat + tap ground

Lying down exercises with weights
weights press (not sure what that exercise is called)
hammer curls
open arms wide and close
leg raises ( alternating and then together) (with/without holding one dumbbell up)

standing weights
bicep curls
hammer curls
bent push back
open and close arms
lift arms up and down (front and then side)
shoulder press
side tricep curls
bent open and close arms

more exercises
forward lunges
backward lunges
lunge walk with weights (while doing shoulder press or bicep curls)
planks
side planks
sit in chair position (you'll feel the burn in your thighs)

These are all pretty basic exercises and I would suggest that you watch videos to find the exactly correct way to do them. Again, I can't stress enough on being cautious about injuries. Being sore is a different thing though.
These exercises work your core, arms and legs. I've seen my body tone up overall. While this has helped me, depending on where you're starting you can do variations with smaller/larger dumbbells. I hope this helps!