It's more of we take a stam hit once things drop below our current max number.
Now IRL you feed yer face, and are not hungry. You go an do stuff. It takes a while to digest all that foods.
At some point you get hungry and thirsty, and will have to stop and rest from your labors.
Generally, water first (especially if hot), food last.
We don't know what % we're at for our hunger thirst. But that's IRL, not a game for fun.
edit: oops, missed that part about just he stone axe, and yeah, you can chop a lot
with that thing before running out. But pretty much ONLY the stone axe.
(and it takes forever)
I did get a lvl 2 steel pick early on, and yup, swing. pause a sec, swing.. still run out.
(iron works ok once you have 2-3 in sexrex, for steel, want 3-4. sledehammers, well duh.
of course those eat stamina.)
I like the idea of going over the max number, to simulate stocking up on food/water.
I'm just not keen on how fast we take the penalties is all.
Oh, and we do need some kind of drink that adds more than 24. hmm... or do we.
One large meal and I'm full (maxed at +50), yet drink 2 or 3 to hit the same.
Ok, time to make a jug or BIG drink container. (with commensurate material cost)
not the wee sippy cup drinks.