Stamina is an important issue to address because greater stamina allows you to do more with each workout. If you don’t feel as though you’re maintaining good stamina, there are some things you can do to address that problem. By following these suggestions, you’ll give your body the resources it needs to endure more during your high-intensity workouts.
Eat a Healthy Diet
Everything in fitness starts with a healthy diet, including addressing any issues you have with maintaining good stamina. Eating more plant-based foods will give your body more nutrients and vitamins to use as fuel while you work out. To get the best results from your workouts, you should be sure you’re eating low-fat foods with plenty of protein.
Eat Some Carbs
The last meal you have before each workout should consist of plenty of carbs. Your body needs those carbs to build new muscle. Additionally, carbs help fortify your stamina to allow you to do more with each workout. Good choices for high-carb foods include whole grains, pasta, brown rice, and fortified cereals.
Lift Less and Wait Less
Traditional fitness advice has people lifting more weights and waiting up to two minutes between sets. You can build up your stamina and get better results by throwing that advice away. Instead, fitness experts recommend that people lift less weight at one time and add more reps to each set. Additionally, the rest period between sets should be limited to 30 to 90 seconds.
Schedule Rest Days
You should choose one or two days per week to use as rest days. This gives your body a chance to recover from your high-intensity workouts, so your stamina won’t suffer over a long period of time. On rest days, you can still exercise, but you should avoid hitting the gym. Instead, go for a hike, bicycle ride, or swim. These are ideal days for some light cardio.
Your mental state is another important consideration in maintaining good stamina during your workouts. You can avoid negative thoughts that can drain your stamina by repeating a positive mantra in your mind. You can also focus on envisioning your fitness goals. Some people find it helpful to listen to upbeat music as they work out. Whichever method you choose, it’s important to maintain a positive mindset.