Endurance: The Third Key to Opotimistic Stamina for Fitness and Health

Dr. Russ Buss writes about Jackie Monroe's quest to get into the best shape of her life as she prepares for a unique triathlon. In this installment he writes about how to develop both mental and physical endurance with a spirit of optimism.
By: Dr. Russ Buss
 
March 19, 2011 - PRLog -- There are ten “Optimistic Staminas.”  To develop stamina one must learn the basic skill, then practice speed and agility, and finally develop endurance.

This week is Episode 6 of “Attitude is Everything;” Jackie Monroe’s 12 week quest to get into the best shape of her life in preparation for a unique triathlon.  Physical endurance will be a key component of her ultimate race performance.

While we can directly observe physical endurance as when someone completes a marathon, we are not able to look inside someone’s mind to read the thoughts of attitude, but a mental attitude full of stamina clearly underlies and drives the feat of physical endurance.  At some point, an athlete has to say to herself, “Keep going, keep going” to push herself through pain and fatigue.

Mental and physical stamina entail the same three components identified in the first paragraph above.  Thus, as Jackie works on her physical endurance, she is simultaneously strengthening her mental endurance.

This week she and Trainer Jenn are working on a combination of cardio, strength, and flexibility dimensions of endurance with a single exercise.  Trainer Jenn helps Jackie build cardio endurance by having her complete a 45 minute circuit training routine with what are called “Kettlebells.”

I have never worked out with a Kettlebell, nor even seen one before the filming of this series.  It looks like a shot put with a handle on it and may weigh as little as 4 or as much as 175 lbs.  Jackie worked with one’s in the 18 to 36 pound range.

A Kettlebell workout is most known for its benefit to increasing physical endurance because it works many muscle groups in the body at once, mimicking real world activities like those involved in farm work.

The endurance component of “Optimism Stamina” involves performing the mental attitudinal skill with the same level of good form, speed and agility that one uses to manage easy as well as the difficult circumstances of life. In the physical domain, endurance is similar, an individual is able to show the same form, agility, and speed after a difficult 45 minutes as she does after an easy 10 minutes of activity.

In one scene, Jackie has to take a Kettlebell weighing at least 20 some pounds and swing it through her legs, over her head, do a shoulder lift, and then transfer it from one hand to the other nearly behind her back.  Over and over.

According to Trainer Jenn, Jackie’s form was as good at the end of the workout as it was at the beginning.  Congratulations Jackie for demonstrating such endurance!!!

Take a look at Episode 6 and then no matter what physical activity you do, think about stretching your endurance by imagining Jackie working with those Kettle bells.  See if you can stretch your mental attitude to new level of endurance as well.

Optimism Blog: http://www.drrussbuss.com

http://www.OptimismToday.tv

# # #

About Moment to Moment: Our mission is to teach "skilled optimism"- how let go of a negative in a moment; view life as one continuous learning curve with multiple "do-over" opportunities. Products include a daily blog, seminars, publications, speaking, radio show, & coaching.
End
Source:Dr. Russ Buss
Email:***@drrussbuss.com Email Verified
Zip:48823
Tags:Fitness, Endurance, Kettlebells, Fitness Trainer, Optimism, Attitude, Work-out
Industry:Fitness, Kettlebells
Location:Lansing - Michigan - United States
Account Email Address Verified     Account Phone Number Verified     Disclaimer     Report Abuse
Moment to Moment Enterprises News
Trending
Most Viewed
Daily News



Like PRLog?
9K2K1K
Click to Share