# Seeing yourself as an active person

> People who see themselves as active tend to follow through on their plans more often. Activity also tends to last when it comes from your own reasons, such as enjoyment, values and roles that matter to you. Small, repeatable steps are a good place to begin.

- Type: Guide
- Topic: Habits & Motivation › Habit Formation
- Reviewed by: Andrew Schox, BSc(Hons) PGradDipPod MPod, Podiatrist (2026-10-21)
- URL: https://twikka.com/learn/seeing-yourself-as-an-active-person
- Updated: 2026-10-21

- **Seeing yourself as active tends to help you follow through.** It is linked with more commitment, more confidence and more ways of keeping going [1].
- **Your own reasons tend to last longer than pressure from others.** Enjoyment, values and roles that matter to you are a good place to start [5].
- **Small, repeatable steps come first.** Counting what you already do is a gentle way to begin.
- **Tie one small goal to something you care about,** such as time with family or staying independent.

## How does seeing yourself as an active person help?

People who see themselves as active tend to have more of what helps them follow through: commitment, confidence in managing themselves, and ways to keep going [1]. They are also more likely to act on their intentions, so a plan to go for a walk is more likely to turn into a walk [1]. Most of this is a link rather than a proven cause, and it isn't clear yet whether deliberately building an active self-image increases activity [1].

The link between habits and self-image may run both ways, so each may feed the other [3]. A self-image on its own doesn't seem to be enough to build a habit; the activity needs repeating too [4].

For older adults, seeing yourself as an exerciser through long-standing habits helped make activity feel automatic. Where a sedentary pattern was well established, people found it harder to fit activity into their routine and didn't see themselves as exercisers [2]. If that sounds familiar, it describes a pattern, not a fault, and small steps are a fair place to start.

> **Try this:** This week, write down the activity you already do, such as a walk to the shops or time in the garden, and count it as part of how you live.

Two ways to build on it:

- **Pick a small step you can repeat,** so being active becomes something you do regularly rather than a one-off effort.
- **Choose activities that feel like your own choice** rather than something you feel you should do.

## How can activity connect to a bigger purpose or identity?

Activity is more likely to last when it comes from your own reasons, such as enjoyment, personal values and the roles that matter to you, rather than outside pressure [5]. Activities that are enjoyable and self-chosen, with a good level of challenge and a sense of choice and mastery, may be motivating for many people. Valuing the health benefits can also help [5]. Older adults described being motivated by health gains and a wish for independence, including keeping their ability to function [2].

You can link activity to what matters in a simple way. One approach is to name a personal value, then set a small, specific goal that fits it, such as walking for 10 minutes or watching a grandchild's sports event [6]. The idea is that tying a new habit to what gives your life meaning makes it more likely to last [7]. Programmes built this way improved motivation and a sense of meaning; whether people then became more active isn't clear yet [7]. A stronger sense of purpose is also linked with being more active, although that doesn't show purpose causes activity [8]. Approaches based on identity are described as promising [9].

To try it:

- **Ask yourself what matters to you,** such as being independent, keeping up with grandchildren or time with friends, and pick one reason that feels like yours.
- **Turn that reason into one small, specific goal.**
- **Link activity to a role you value,** such as grandparent, carer or volunteer.

## When to check with a health professional

If you're starting exercise after a long break, it's always a good idea to see your doctor first.

For an injury or a health condition, see a health professional, such as your doctor or a physio. If you live with a long-term condition, especially one involving pain or fatigue, talk with your doctor or physio about how to fit activity in. Pain, fatigue and low mood can make it harder to keep going, and talking through barriers openly can help [10].

Build up gradually. If a muscle or joint is sore, or soreness appears a day or two later, ease off, and see a doctor or other health professional if it persists or gets worse. Unusual tiredness isn't something to push through, so get it checked by a doctor.

Call your local emergency number for chest pain or pressure (or pain spreading to the arm, neck, jaw or back, especially with sweating or feeling sick), severe breathlessness, fainting or collapse, signs of a stroke, a serious injury, or someone who isn't safe.

## Quick answers

### I've never been sporty. Can I still think of myself as active?

Yes. You don't need to be sporty to be an active person. Activity of any length counts, and everyday movement is part of it. What matters is doing something regularly, at a level that suits you, and building up how often, how hard and how long over time.

### Does it matter why I'm being active?

It can. Activity tends to last longer when it comes from reasons that are yours, such as enjoyment, your values or the people you care about, rather than from feeling you ought to. If you're unsure of your reason, think about what you'd like to keep doing or be able to do.

### What small first steps count?

Any activity counts, however short. Some physical activity is better than none, so start with an amount that feels easy to repeat, then build up how often, how hard and how long over time. There's no minimum of 10 minutes at a time.

## Sources

1. Rhodes RE, Kaushal N, Quinlan A (2016). Is physical activity a part of who I am? A review and meta-analysis of identity, schema and physical activity. Health Psychology Review. https://doi.org/10.1080/17437199.2016.1143334
2. Meredith SJ et al. (2023). Factors that influence older adults' participation in physical activity: a systematic review of qualitative studies. Age and Ageing. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10438214/
3. Zhu L et al. (2025). The relationship between habit and identity in health behaviors: A systematic review and three-level meta-analysis. Applied Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1111/aphw.70017
4. Exercise habit development: The role of context stability and identity. https://researchportal.bath.ac.uk/en/publications/exercise-habit-development-the-role-of-context-stability-and-iden/
5. Teixeira PJ, Carraça EV, Markland D, Silva MN, Ryan RM (2012). Exercise, physical activity, and self-determination theory: a systematic review. The International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. https://doi.org/10.1186/1479-5868-9-78
6. Plumb Vilardaga JC et al. (2022). Linking Physical Activity to Personal Values: Feasibility and Acceptability Randomized Pilot of a Behavioral Intervention for Older Adults with Osteoarthritis Pain. Research Square. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8750708/
7. Hooker SA et al. (2024). Applying Meaning and Self-Determination Theory to the Development of a Web-Based mHealth Physical Activity Intervention: Proof-of-Concept Pilot Study. JMIR Formative Research. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11234062/
8. Sutin AR et al. (2024). Purpose in life and slow walking speed: cross-sectional and longitudinal associations. GeroScience. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11009186/
9. A systematic review on the effect of identity-related interventions on physical activity and smoking (2024). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11516042/
10. Collado-Mateo D et al. (2021). Key Factors Associated with Adherence to Physical Exercise in Patients with Chronic Diseases and Older Adults: An Umbrella Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. https://doi.org/10.3390%2Fijerph18042023

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Source: Twikka (https://twikka.com/learn/seeing-yourself-as-an-active-person). General information about physical activity, not medical advice.