> OK, so I have a problem. The obvious way to solve this problem is to ask
> the Internet, and then act on whatever advice the random strangers there
> offer me. :-)
>
> My problem is simple: I spend almost every waking hour sitting perfectly
> motionless in front of a computer screen. Except that once a week, I
> spend a hour leaping around a dance floor like a crazy thing. And you
> know what? It turns out that I do not have the necessary stamina.
> Socking, I know.
>
> So my question is: How do I increase my stamina?
>
> Let's leave aside the obvious answer of "quit my job and spend every
> waking hour running around a race track until my legs drop off". Clearly
> that isn't happening.
>
> Given that my job necessarily involves remaining absolutely motionless
> for hours on end, and that I only have an hour or two of spare time per
> day, is there *anything* I can do with that time which will make the
> slightest shred of difference? Or is the situation just hopeless?
>

Bike to work?
Can you park at the far end of the parking lot and walk to the door?
Take the stairs instead of the elevator?
Go for a walk after dinner?
Go on romantic strolls in the park on the week-end?


> People say to me "oh, with all that dancing, you must be really fit". I
> cannot help but think that a piffling one hour out of every 168 isn't
> going to make any difference at all. It's like pouring a litre of fresh
> water into the ocean and expecting it to be less salty afterwards. How
> many hours a day do you need to work to actually achieve something?
>
> Now, "fitness" can mean many things. So let us be clear here. It's not
> that I don't have enough /strength/ and I need to grow bigger muscles.
> (As an aside, it seems I have some pretty damned impressive shoulder
> muscles now... Well, for a skinny computer nerd, anyway.) I'm interested
> in /stamina/. So, what kind of exercise am I looking for?

Light exercice for long periods of time.  Walking, running, biking, etc...

>
> The answer, presumably, is "anything that makes you feel tired". So how
> do I approach this?
>
> - Go flat out until you collapse. Rest until tomorrow.
>

Never a good idea, unless you are being chased by a pack of wolves or 
training for a ironman triathlon.

> - Go gently, but for as long as possible.
>

Yes, or

> - Go until you're tired. Stop. Rest until you're not tired. Go again.
> Repeat.
>

This.

> - Go as hard as you can without needing to actually stop.
>

Eventually, you'll be able to judge what pace you can keep for an 
extended period of time.  For example, I can walk all day, it's the feet 
that tell me I need to stop and take the shoes off.


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