Getting into shape and eating healthy is it's own reward.
Before I began exercising and eating right, I wasn't overweight, felt "good" and didn't see the need. I played racquetball 2x a week and wally/volleyball too.

Funny story ;D I had met a gal, she gave me a free pass to the aerobic studio she managed. I wanted to see her, so after my mid-night shift, I showed up for the 9 am class.

It was dubbed the morning Mom's class. Young mom's trying to lose post baby weight, retired or stay at home middle age women. I was 35, the only guy in class.

How hard could it be ;D The first 5 minutes was the warm-up. I was sweating profusely by the end. THEN the instructor said it was time to work, cranked up a Prince tune ( about a 180 beats a minute) and for the next 45 minutes I literally walked in place while the "old" ladies kicked (_*_) ;)
 
I would of left, but the only door out was past the reception desk and the gal I was trying to date. I made it thru, but didn't really do the class.
I found out later that the gal I met and the instructor had a good laugh at my expense and said that they would never see me again!

I went home, showered and did my days chores. When I got up at 10 pm for work, I could hardly walk :'(  I hurt so bad, I didn't think I could make it into work. On breaks I was grabbing the handrail going upstairs to our break room.

Waited a day and showed up for class again, much too everyone's surprise. That started my interest in working out and a healthy lifestyle.
I was so pissed that I couldn't keep up with the "girls" that I vowed to change that. First 3x a week, then 5x, then 7x. Took 6 months to get out of the back row. By then the instructors knew I was serious and started giving me fitness/eating tips. After a year I was in the front row and never looked back.
 I was asked too teach, but I have some hearing loss from my construction days, and have a hard time with keeping on beat, IF I'm leading.

If you've never been in shape, its similar too a long time smoker. Until you quit and see how good you can really feel, you have nothing too compare it with.

My instructor friends always say that " Nothing tastes as good, as being fit feels" ;)

If you can't relate too that, then remember this " When THEY come, they'll EAT the FAT one's first" ;D

PS, Things didn't work out with the gal I met. Seems I was too young for her :-? I thought she was my age, turns out she was in her early 50's ;)
Just my luck, it was the Pre-Cougar days ;D