What do you do to WARM UP?

To be honest, I don't really warm up at all. My warmup is walking up the stairs to the gym... hah!

The only time I get cramps on the elliptical is when I eat right before the gym.

Check out Day 1 of the 30 Day Shred on Youtube and try doing the warmup from that. Jillian has you do some dynamic stretching and jumping jacks before getting started, and it seems like a good approach.

Is a "stitch" the same as a cramp?

If so, it could be hydration? Make sure you're hydrating pretty well on the day of your workout and during your workout, even if you're not thirsty.

Here's a couple of quick articles that may be of help
http://getfitguy.quickanddirtytips.com/how-to-warm-up-and-cool-down.aspx (autoplay ads with sound alert in case you're at work)
http://getfitguy.quickanddirtytips.com/what-is-the-best-way-to-warm-up.aspx (autoplay ads with sound alert in case you're at work)

Jump Rope: 100 jumps with both feet
50 jumps with left foot
50 jumps with right foot
100 jumps alternating left and right
Foam Rolling whatever area I am training that day
Stretching
Then I start lifting with just the bar and work up in weight every set. I usually do 3 warm up sets before I get to my work sets.

As someone else said in here it could be hydration. I used to get serious pains when I would exercise at the gym when I hadn't had much water or liquid in me.

Personally I never warm up, but I always do stretches to cool down and sooth my muscles after exercise or strength building. I always found that it helps get me back to 'baseline' if that makes any sense. You might find that you in particular have to do some stretches before a work out too! Some people do!

Try eating a banana 1/2 hour before your workout. Some light yoga poses and 10 mins on a treadmill at a 3 mph and 15 incline will get your legs and hips nicely stretched out and warm. and water!! Tons and tons of water.

A minimum of 5 minutes of easy walking, working towards a bit harder walk that includes easy flexing of a lot muscles. Then I stretch before I workout.

I always end up getting a stitch in my left side after about 20 mins on the elliptical.
I figure its because I don't warm up properly beforehand.

I just wondered what you do to warm up, and how long for, before you exercise?

I don't I usually just run right out my door...I'm a crazy girl like that. But I love yoga so I'd recommend that to anybody.

Try eating a banana 1/2 hour before your workout. Some light yoga poses and 10 mins on a treadmill at a 3 mph and 15 incline will get your legs and hips nicely stretched out and warm. and water!! Tons and tons of water.

Yes lots of water...i suck at this at times.

A warm up exercise can be any type of cardiovascular exercise before your resistance training starts. Or it can really be a full out cardiovascular session. As long as it gets the heart rate up, it is a warm up exercise. It can be aerobic or anaerobic exercises.

If you would like to see a variety of warm up exercises that you can do check out this website link

http://www.isefitness.com/exercises/total-body-exercises/warm-exercises-cardio

A warm up can consist of anything that gets your heart rate up. A warm up can be considered 5 minutes or can be a full cardio session 60 minutes until you are ready for your resistance training.

For more warm up exercises see them here for free

http://www.isefitness.com/exercises/total-body-exercises/warm-exercises-cardio