Why do you workout?

Have you ever actually sat down and asked yourself this question? Do you find exercise miserable and only do it to "look good"? With a lot of exercise programs, I would absolutely agree with you if you answered "yes" to miserable. Seriously, what is the point of just picking up a weight and putting it down 10-15 times? I couldn't think of a more pointless and boring way to train the body, yet this is what so many so-called "trainers" do all day long. They think in body parts instead of movement patterns. Chest day, leg day, even arms day, etc. Really? Does your body truly move in such an isolated manner? No it doesn't. And to reach a level of fitness that actually feels good (and promotes long term health) you have to take a more holistic look at the body. Cardiovascular training does not need to be done on a machine that takes you nowhere, who comes up with this stuff, anyway? Flexibility is not defined by doing a few stretches at the end of a workout (if done at all). who cares how strong you are in the chest press machine if you can't even manipulate your own bodyweight through various movements.
While thinking about starting a new exercise regimen for the New Year, at least take the time to ask yourself why? Once you have come up with the "why" then you can realistically start to work on the "how". But for now, take the time to write down the reasons why you think you should workout and why. Build the foundation.