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“I exercise four nights a week and I can’t lose any weight,” explains Melanie. “I am very faithful to the gym and I watch my diet and nothing changes. I am bored with the same workout! I just want to quit and accept the fact I will always be overweight.” 

I have been an aerobics instructor for over eight years at a wellness center in my town. I hear women like Melanie stress the fact that they are exercising but aren’t getting the results. Eventually, many women will quit their exercise program and after a few months I will see them at the grocery store and they are in tears because they are unhappy with their bodies. I truly believe that most people aren’t lazy they just lack the knowledge they need to get results.  

Are you hitting plateaus? Tired of the same old workout? Looking for a level of fitness that your current exercise routine can’t offer? Do you have injuries that just won’t heal? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you are a likely candidate for cross training. 

Cross training will simply add variety to your exercise program. An easy way to start cross training is to alternate between activities- walk one day, attend an aerobics class or swim laps the next. You can also alternate activities within a single workout, walk on the treadmill for five minutes, twenty minutes on a stationary bike and five minutes on the stair climber. Try to reach a total of thirty minutes.

Another benefit of cross training is to reduce injuries. It reduces the risk of injuries because the same muscles, bones and joints are not continuously subjected to the stresses of the same activity.  

If you are an experienced exerciser and you want to go to the next endurance level, cross training is great. Try to alternate between low-level aerobic activities, such as 20 minutes of stationary cycling, with 10 minutes of high intensity exercise, such as jumping rope. You will need to gradually increase the time you spend on the more intense activity. 

The most important part of “Cross” training is to know Jesus. The world does not have all the answers when it comes to weight loss but Jesus does and He can provide the power! There is actually a 95% failure rate on losing weight and keeping it off permanently. Something is missing and wrong! I believe the word of God and I rely on the Holy Spirit to teach me what I need to do in my life even in the area of weight loss/health. The spiritual things have to come first because you are a spirit! You live in a body! If you want your spirit to dominate your body, you must feed your spirit. The way to do this is by reading and meditating on the scriptures.  

I believe that most people just don’t know God in the area of weight loss. Do you think that God doesn’t care about your earth suit? Let me assure you that He does! Use the scriptures to get victory in your life. When you are cross training this week and your body wants to quit- cast down every imagination and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God (2 Corinthians 10:5). That knowledge includes life, health exercise and nutrition. Remember, God will supply the power if you supply the will!

Copyright 2003 by Sheri Wiese

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Sheri Ayers Wiese is a certified aerobics instructor through American Council on exercise and holds a B.S. in Health and Exercise Science from Oral Roberts University. More importantly she is a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ with a vision to help people be whole in spirit, soul and body!