By LMQC fitness bloggers, Aryn Lloyd and Cody Lichthardt, Rock Valley Health

When it comes to a New Year and holiday time, many Americans have the best intentions to improve their appearance, function, and overall health, but often fall off the intended path when it comes to exercising and eating right.

We don’t always stop to think about ourselves and do what is best for our bodies and minds.

When we think of the mind/body connection, we have to look at why we decide to do certain types of activities and how it matches up with our personality traits.

We also have to look at how our personality traits influence our decisions to be physically active in the first place.

Take this personality quiz to find out what physical activity personality type you are.

Match your personality type to a trainer below … and get a head start on your New Year’s Resolution!

Aryn, the Spontaneous Exerciser

Aryn, a “spontaneous exerciser,” suggests finding ways to be more active at your desk job if you match her personality type!

As a spontaneous exerciser personality, you love to have a flexible schedule.

Exercise can be more enjoyable when it fits in with your day. You love the freedom to decide what to do and when to do it – exercise is on your time and at your pace.

You may rely on a call from friends to meet up to take a walk or play a pick-up game – exercise is more fun with friends!

You prefer to take advantage of the nice weather – fresh air and exercise feel refreshing!

You may decide to exercise when your mood strikes or when you feel like it. You also might consider using your body as transportation by deciding to walk or ride a bike instead of drive to the store.

Spontaneous or spur-of-the-moment activities can be of great benefit to add more movement to your every day.

Many with this personality trait, me included, find ways to be more active during long periods of sitting, watching TV, sitting in a meeting, or a desk job.

My favorite spontaneous exercises are to do a few yoga poses and stretches.

If you find you are a spontaneous exerciser, but feel you don’t stick to a regular physical activity routine, it may be because there are too many variables and barriers that might affect your good intentions.

Spontaneous activities are great ways to incorporate more physical activity in your every day, but alone, may not be enough to help you stay on task with a daily physical activity routine.

My advice, adding in little bouts of activity will ensure that you are moving more throughout the day which will only benefit your health more.

Just be sure if you fall into this category, you are still following a physical activity routine, most days including at least 30 minutes of physical activity most days of the week or at least 150 minutes of activity per week.

Tell yourself that daily exercise is like taking a pill for good health!

Cody, the Self-Motivator

Cody is self-motivated to exercise, but says some external help is useful to those who share his type.

As a self-motivator personality, you have the knowledge and will power to be able to write your own exercise programs and perform them by yourself with little external motivation needed.

Your internal motivation comes from a desire to improve your health, increase your function or performance, and look better.

You also may enjoy sharing your experience with others through leadership.

The main barrier to this personality type is getting stuck doing what you feel is the best or most enjoyable form of exercise and neglecting other beneficial forms.

If this is you, you probably are already well on your way to achieving your goals, but incorporating new forms of exercise may be just the thing you need to keep you looking forward to your next session.

I personally am a self-motivator and I share my knowledge and experience with my clients at Quad City Sport Performance in Moline, IL.

If you are a self-motivator looking to try a new form of exercise, give one of our adult group fitness classes a try.

Groups not your thing? Sign up for personal training!

The Team Player

As a Team Player personality, you enjoy exercising together as a great way to catch up and stay connected.

For those with a team player personality, there are multiple benefits. Beyond the social component, you enjoy exercising in a group (big or small, friends or strangers).

This personality trait is great because it helps people stay accountable to their goals – it gets you there and keeps you coming!

Although ‘Team Player’ exercisers work out in groups, it’s important to remember each individual can work at their own level and pace.

Exercising with others shouldn’t be competitive. When you consider the class participants as teammates who also want to reap the benefits of staying active, everyone wins!

If you are the Team Player type, try something new, like joining a walking group, signing up for a fitness class, or seeking a sports league.

You can be the ULTIMATE team player by attending regularly for your greatest health benefits!

Aryn Lloyd and Cody Lichthardt are personal trainers at Rock Valley Health. You can read their bios and other blog posts by clicking here.