Whatever's bothering me when I walk into the gym doesn't matter anymore when I'm walking out. Looking great is very uplifting, especially when other areas of your life may not be going as you'd like. Compliments or special treatment from strangers at unexpected times can do a lot for your mood and morale.

I hate traveling, especially airports, but I can recall many times being treated preferentially at airports just because I have a buffed physique. People treat you differently because they admire what you do and tell you so. And my being older makes me all the more a kind of novelty for people, I think.