I attach purpose behind everything that I do, including my workouts.  Having purpose allows my time to be spent more efficiently as there is always a goal for each workout which is always in alignment with a bigger goal.  In this way, I know I am not just spinning my wheels not getting any results, but instead am creating those results I am striving for.

What is your purpose behind your workouts, and do they fall in line with a larger goal?  For example:  If my goal is to run a marathon for time, all of my running workouts should be geared towards the distance and pace I want to achieve on race day.  This includes Long Tempo runs and runs where I run my marathon pace for a specified distance; this includes speed runs to get my time down to the desired pace; this includes easy long runs to get my body use to the impact it will need to endure for 26.2 miles; this includes stretching and strength exercises for those needed areas I will be utilizing; this includes a dozen other drills and running exercises all geared toward achieving the goal of a certain time on race day.  I will not just be running for the sake of running, but will instead be focusing on my purpose for each workout.

Here are a number of different long range goals that I will in turn break down into many smaller ones carried out by each workout:

• Running/Swimming...etc. to get into good cardiovascular shape
• Running/Swimming...etc. for time in a long distance race
• Running/Swimming...etc. for time in a short distance race
• Running/Swimming...etc. to lose weight
• Resistance training to become stronger for some event/time period
• Flexibility training to become more flexible specific to my goals (i.e. more flexible in hamstrings for running; or more flexible in shoulders for swimming)

The list can go on and on.  I will then in turn gear all my workouts around the long range goal, this way every minute I spend working out is towards the same goal, thus helping me achieve my goal faster.  I will have a different focus in workouts geared to losing weight than I will if I am trying to run for time in a long distance race.  The nutrition I relegate myself to will also be different depending on which long range goal I am trying to achieve.  Thus working out can be very dynamic as there are hundreds of different goals out there people are trying to achieve.  How do you know the workouts you are currently doing are helping you achieve your Fitness goals?  Do you have any benchmarks to measure yourself against?  Sharing your goals with your workout partner/trainer/coach is a good way to build a team and support system all geared towards the same results!