Some people work out to feel better about themselves. That has merit. But it also has risk. With age and time, we lose physical ability. If we completely invest our concept of self in our physical bodies, we face a major crisis when our bodies decline.
Some people work out for the sake of their health.
They want to become and to be the healthiest that they can be. I knew before I began to work out that I had no interest in competing with anyone. I also realized that I did not want to define my person with my body. My body is just the house I live in while I am on this earth. Physically, I wanted to be the healthiest person that I can become.