There is one thing about a "squiggle" that is true to form, it often changes and goes off in a variety of different directions! 

Ok, you ask... What is a squiggly?

If you attended the local Miles Surgical Weight Loss Surgery Support Group meeting this month, you know what a "squiggly" is! We talked about fitness personalities and how people have different and distinct personality types when it comes to exercise plans and activities.

I'm not being rude when I say that some folks are squares, and I'm not name calling when I say that some folks are circles and rectangles, and some are triangles and myself...I'm a squiggly.

As a matter of fact I don't even like the word exercise, I prefer to use the word "activity".  The shape that best describes my fitness personality: squiggly.

According to Linda Shelton, a fitness expert who spoke at last year's American College of Sports Medicine's Health and Fitness Summit, finds that everyone has a fitness personality and has their own exercise needs and preferences.

Here is a breakdown on the five categories of exercise personalities.  

First, there are squares. These folks thrive on routine and if you're a square, you probably have a rigid routine at the gym.  These rigid schedulers often hit plateaus. If this sounds like you, try to take baby steps toward new activities to switch up your routine and give a little turn to your old program.

Then their are rectangles.  These folks are a little more flexible than squares, but still prefer order and routine. Group exercise is their game and the love social interaction.  Rectangles could mix it up a little with joining a fitness club, hiking or running groups.

Triangles are the competitive and driven sort. They are task-oriented and thrive on repetition and monitoring their progress and successes.  Triangles could benefit by having exercise goals and Shelton suggest working out with an equally competitive partner or train with a specific goal in mind such as a mini-triathlon or a half-marathon.  

Next are the circles. The social butterflies of the fitness world.  These are emotionally driven and the most common type.  Spontaneous and social round out this group and would never think of exercising alone but prefer a trainer or a group.  Beware of spending too much time socializing than working out...have fun circles!

Next, one I can understand, squiggles.  That's me alright! Squiggles are the most outgoing and lest structured of all.  Woops! This group is motivated by pleasure and hate routine. These folks like varied exercise activities and seek new activities to maintain interest.  

"Knowing your fitness personality," says Shelton, "and what your needs are and what you personally respond to is going to help someone like exercise, engage in it and reduce attrition and increase compliance because they are doing something that suits how they think and how they are."

So find out what shape you're in and go have fun expressing your exercise personality...yes you can, you have many more miles to go!