&gt; [...] <i>although it makes sense, for example, that improving at resistance training would lead to a sense of accomplishment.</i><p>It&#x27;s not just a sense of accomplishment, it&#x27;s an actual accomplishment: to be a stronger human being than you once was. And unlike most other accomplishment in life, you&#x27;re not under anyone&#x27;s whim or circumstantial luck. There were a big thread on HN just a few months ago on that: <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;news.ycombinator.com&#x2F;item?id=9782083" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;news.ycombinator.com&#x2F;item?id=9782083</a>