Your elliptical trainer is a good thing to have because when you have stuff at home to exercise with it is harder to make those excuses on days you are feeling lazy and it's always possible to exercise, no matter the weather. I have an exercise bike myself. But when I start to feel like a hamster on a wheel, I go out walking or do something outside the home.
For me, the most effective form of exercise has always been martial arts. But I can't do that right now for various reasons. A lot of people here do running or weights or both. If you have a garden, gardening is effective, believe it or not. There are loads of ways. And I agree with Bebo, enjoyment is usually key to keeping it up. Though once you get fitter, you tend to be more willing to do the boring hamster-on-a-wheel stuff just to stay that way.