Originally Posted by Roody
I think cross-training does not help weight loss directly, but it does help a lot indirectly. Cross-training means you're less likely to develop overuse injuries that could halt exercise all together. Also, it might be easier to stay motivated and avoid boredom.
Ideally your alternate exercise would use different muscle groups. For cycling (almost exclusively lower body), good alternatives are rowing and swimming.
Also, as you lose weight and gain fitness, you might start enjoying physical activities that aren't really "exercise" but are both fun and good for your body. I'm thinking activities like dancing, frisbee, softball, martial arts, etc.
In response to the part I put in
BOLD: THAT'S WHY I LOVE CYCLING SO MUCH! IT DOESN'T FEEL LIKE EXERCISE AT ALL! In fact, it's one of the only "exercises" that doesn't feel like exercise to me, no matter how I hard I push it (martial arts and swimming being others)!
As for the cross-training thing, I suppose that makes sense. I just figured on adding running (
which I HATE HATE HATE--can't emphasize that point enough...running is my most hated exercise, period) to complement the cycling muscles. The swimming's because I used to swim in high school and still enjoy an occasional dip in the pool over the summer.
Of course, I was in the best shape of my life when I swam in high school. Maybe being an upper-body as well as lower-body workout aided in that.