With more Americans working out than ever before, why is it that there are also more overweight Americans than at any time in our country's history? Because most people don't really know why they're working out.

I'm asked all the time how I stay motivated to workout day after day for months and years on end. It's simple — I train with a purpose. It's similar to the phrase coined by a famous motivational speaker, "begin with the end in mind". Decide what you want to do with your body, and map out a plan to get to that "goal event" as quickly and efficiently as possible. It's pretty easy to decide what to train for. I compete in triathlons so I workout to prepare my body to swim, bike and run as efficiently as possible. Depending on your fitness goals you might train in other sports.

I advise everyone I work with to choose a "goal event" to train for. The purpose of a goal event is simply to have an activity to build a training program around. A goal event lends purpose to otherwise mundane and tedious daily trips to the gym. For some, a goal event such as a local 5k, hiking trip, or bike tour can be the extra bit of motivation they need to stay on track with their fitness. Others might find that such purposeful training might be what helps them break out of a rut and achieve a higher level of fitness.

Choosing a goal event is easy, just thumb through those event guides that you see lying around the gym and local sporting goods stores until something catches your eye. You can find Performance Fitness Training event calendars online. Choose an activity that appeals to your sense of adventure, or a challenge that you've always wanted to take on. Once you've decided, find an event 8–12 weeks away and beginning preparing.

At this point you're probably wondering how to prepare for your goal event. There are lots of resources out there to help. Start by searching the internet or your local library for information about training for your activity. Online coaches or even trainers at your local gym should be able to help you organize your preparation. If you choose to hire a coach or trainer be sure to seek out someone experienced in working with people like yourself who have done what you're setting out to do. Don't be afraid to ask for references. If you choose to go it alone be certain to very slowly increase the intensity and duration of your workouts to avoid injury, and remember to allow yourself sufficient rest for your body to recover from your workouts. It's during recovery that your body reaps the benefits of your workouts.

Be sure to tell friends and family about your goal event and ask them to help you stay on track if you begin to waver. Make yourself a note that makes you think about your goal event and post it somewhere that you'll see it everyday. You'll find that as the days and weeks pass you'll have a weapon against the any lulls that you might encounter while you're in training for your goal event.

Finally, remember at all times that the ultimate goal is to have fun while you get fit. Never put any pressure on yourself to perform up to someone else's standards, after all, this is your adventure so enjoy!

Bryant Howard BA, MA, CFT, SPN — Bryant is certified through the International Sports Sciences Association. He is both a Fitness Trainer and Performance Nutrition Specialist. He also holds certification in CPR and First Aid. He has trained competitive athletes for ten years and offers personal and group training sessions in the Portland, OR area. Bryant Howard owns Performance Fitness Training