February 23, 2025

Why Stamina Is Key To Longevity

For many, the word “stamina” makes us uncomfortable, and for good reason, it’s hard! Learn why embracing challenges and increasing our stamina is key to living a longer, stronger, and happier life.

We’ve recently had a number of old and new friends returning to Mojo classes (Yay!!!). After a first-class experience, I typically get one of two reactions, “Whoa, That kicked my butt!” – in a wonderful way…Or I will get friends who lament, “I am so out of shape!” – in a disappointed way. For those of you leaning toward the latter, I would like to share a fun tidbit with you.

Friends who have been away a while or who feel more exhausted and sore after a Mojo workout will enjoy a bigger and quicker metabolism boost than friends who are in excellent shape and attend regularly.

Huh? Our body wants to please us, so any energy we expend over our baseline alerts our body that our heart, muscles, bones, and brain need to be stronger for us the next time around, so our body spends energy (more calories) recovering (getting stronger) during our post-workout.

The #1 mental ingredient to getting over that “I hate hard exercise” hump and achieve true fitness goals is stamina, defined as the ability to sustain prolonged physical or mental effort.

For so many of us, this word makes us uncomfortable, and for good reason:
Stamina is a gradual process. Unlike strength or speed, which can show noticeable improvements quickly, stamina takes time and consistent effort to build.

Stamina is challenging to measure. While there are tests for strength (lifting weights) or speed (sprinting), stamina is more subjective. It’s about how long you can sustain an activity, which can vary depending on the individual and the activity itself.

Stamina is typically uncomfortable. Building stamina involves pushing ourselves beyond our comfort zone, which is physically and mentally challenging.

Stamina can be seen as less glamorous. In a culture that often emphasizes quick results and visible achievements, stamina might not seem as exciting as other fitness goals.

With so many challenges in our lives already, is strengthening our physical endurance levels all that important to our overall health? The short answer is, “Yes!”

Here’s why:
Physical Advantages
• Enhanced cardiovascular health: Good stamina (VO2 Max levels) indicates efficient oxygen delivery to our body’s cells. This translates to a stronger heart, lower blood pressure, and reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases like heart attacks and strokes.

• Increased energy levels: With improved stamina, we feel less fatigued throughout the day. This enhances our ability to tackle daily tasks with more vigor, leaving us feeling energized and productive.

• Improved metabolic function: Higher stamina boosts our metabolism, helping us burn calories more efficiently, even at rest. This contributes to weight management and prevents metabolic issues like diabetes.

• Stronger muscles and bones: Stamina-building activities like cardio and strength training don’t just improve endurance but also strengthen our muscles and bones. This helps prevent injuries, improves posture, and enhances overall physical performance.

Mental Benefits:

• Stress resilience: Strong stamina often translates to better mental resilience. When we can physically push through tough situations, we’re more likely to handle emotional challenges with greater resilience and cope better with stress.

• Enhanced focus and concentration: Improved stamina leads to better blood flow to the brain, which can benefit cognitive functions like focus, concentration, and memory. This translates to greater productivity and mental clarity.

Improved mood and sleep: Regular exercise, a key aspect of building stamina, is linked to better mood and improved sleep quality. This overall boost in well-being can significantly enhance your mental health and emotional balance.

Overall Quality of Life:

• Increased capacity for activities: With good stamina, we can enjoy a wider range of activities, whether it’s playing with our kids, hiking in nature, or pursuing a physically demanding hobby. This enriches our lives and opens doors to new experiences.

• Greater confidence and self-esteem: Achieving physical and mental challenges through improved stamina can boost your confidence and self-esteem. We feel more capable and in control of our body and mind, leading to a more positive outlook on life.

While I write these newsletters and talk a good game, my stamina is a bit fickle. You won’t find me anywhere near an Elliptical or a Pilates class. Both regimens make my soul cry a little bit. lol. Tis’ the reason I am holding onto Mojo for dear life.

Stamina is the center of every single fitness routine and playlist I create. If our choreography is fun enough and the music is distracting enough, we don’t mind challenging ourselves longer and harder, as well as frequently and consistently. THIS is the secret formula to being fit for life. I am so happy we have a community of friends who agree!

Jenn Tini, in red, credits Mojo for increasing her stamina and, in turn, changing her life.

“I have truly built physical stamina for the first time in my life because of Mojo. I was never good at anything cardiovascular or high-intensity because of a breathing issue I have always had. But Mojo has made me more aware of it with a new determination to get through every class by giving it my best. Now, I have made a conscious effort to sustain my current weight (She’s more toned and 10 lbs lighter), which I have never been able to do, but I’m finding it so much easier with Mojo’s methods!”

To help drive home how much Mojo has changed Jenn’s life, her hubby, Marty, told me recently that when he was first dating Jenn, about 12 years ago, she disliked exercise so much that she didn’t even own a pair of sneakers!

Last week, one of Jenn’s friends, Gabriella, from New York, became a virtual Mojo friend (Welcome Gabriell!), she wrote the following text to Jenn after her first Mojo experience and was kind enough to let me share it…