does it just get you fitter, change your shape, do you lose weight.

It depends on whether you use it or not!:-) I have one at home because I can control my environment, i.e. have air moving through use of a fan, an open window, keep the temperature at a comfortable level, etc. all very important points for me.

I have noticed I am getting fitter the more I use it AND I have lost weight. My shape seems to be changing, too. You really get out of it what you put into it. When I started on mine I couldn't keep walking on it, at the slowest speed (.5), more than two minutes at a time and only stayed on it for 3-4. That was in January. I have had to be patient and not push too hard, but I am now routinely doing 5-7 minutes without having to stop and that is at 1.5 for speed. I am also not huffing and puffing like I was back when I started.

I can also feel changes in my legs, hips, etc.

200 pounds sounds a little pricey, to me. I only paid about $140 for mine brand-new at Kmart, I think it was. It fold up to save space, but I found it is too heavy for me and folding and unfolding was too much trouble, esp. as I use it more and more, so I probably could have found an even cheaper one without that feature.

If you have any doubts about what walking can do, take a look at a book called Walk Yourself Thin. And, remember, you can start out slow with baby steps...it ALL counts!:-)

Good luck!