Self-identity

I don't consider myself as anything specific, but the people who know me would probably put me into different categories depending on why/how they know me. For example the people at the gym would thing that it was a huge part of my identity. People at work know little about my fitness world. People in my personal life don't necessarily realize how hard of a worker I am or how professional I have to be.
I consider myself as eclectic. I love many things. I am many things. Physical activity is very important, but not # 1 on my priority list

mmultanen wrote: »

RevGym2 wrote: »

Most people find their identity when looking in a mirror and most are not happy with what they see. What they should see his reflection of me. That will give them a true identity, being the best they can be, being like me.

I've been standing outside your window watching you sleep for the last 3 nights. I'm hoping that soon I, too, will be my best self. You.

Dang, I was hoping to be the one to wear his skin

cwolfman13 wrote: »

I identify as a dad and a husband. I enjoy regular exercise...particularly cycling, hiking, walking, and rock climbing...but those are my hobbies, they are not my identity. I just like being outdoors and being active.

But isn't that part of who you are...the things you enjoy/do?

I enjoy books...part of who I am? I enjoy eating hot wings? It's me the quirky wing eating bookworm...

I’ve worked in 3 bicycle stores. It did leave me a bit jaded at some points I respects to cycling. When it becomes worn your attitude starts to change. It’s what most people know me for, and it’s something I keep coming back to. I am Bike Man. It’s pretentious AF but it is a lifestyle and a culture. It’s deeply ingrained into my psyche.

jjpptt2 wrote: »

I'm curious... How much of your identity is tied to your health/fitness?

When I stopped racing a few years ago, I struggled losing that part of myself... both with the loss of goal/direction, but also with the loss of belonging/group. It was the manner in which I could fairly easily measure myself, compare myself to others, and feel reasonably good about myself. Losing that was hard. Is still hard.

Do other people identify as a runner, lifter, as being passionate about fitness, etc etc etc?

I know... too serious for chit chat, but...

A very good question. Your perspective is different, because I never competed in sports (short races don't count). Sports were recreational activities for me.

To me, the way I eat or train is (defined by) the way I am. Being consistent, being disciplined (or not), believing in myself (or failing to), setting goals and achieving them, finding balance... are what I want to be like. On one hand, in order to keep myself in shape, to stay healthy or to look decent. But on the other, the same applies at my job and relates to my carrier. These aspects also influence my relationship with my family and friends.

So what defined you when you competed (team spirit, going beyond limits, working hard to achieve a goal) would define you in your daily activities now and in all that you set your mind to. You just have to channel the energy that you put in when training into other activities that fill your life with meaning. You are the same person who competed. :flowerforyou:

By choice, they're {weight riddance & exercise} the most imperative parts of my life but my disability's {Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/CFS} my identity because it's severe enough, that I revolve around it instead of it revolving around me.

Nurse and mother here. Other than those two things I have no idea who I am.

Lifting and identity were synonymous before. Now it’s more of something I just do versus who I am. Though I get mighty cranky when I miss a scheduled sesh.

I'm a shodan. That's pretty well enmeshed with karate, which is fitness too