We know that regular exercise and eating well are the foundation of a healthy life. Still, its tough to create a habit and even tougher to make it stick long term. Everyones got a solutionwork out now, work out later, join a gym, exercise at home, try yoga, try spin, try HIIT. How do you know which is going to work for you, without trying them all?

Knowing your tendencyhow you tend to respond to internal and external expectationsmay be the key to finding a workout style you actually want to do.

Gretchen Rubin, New York Times bestsellingauthor of The Happiness Project, Better Than Before, and the forthcoming The Four Tendencies, believes that most people fall into one of four tendency categories, depending on what motivates them. (Plus, she created a free online quiz, so you can see where you fall.) For instance, if you never keep your New Years resolution but always hit deadlines for your boss, you might be an Obligerand probably need some outside accountability to be motivated to hit the gym.

Keep in mind that no tendencyor workout styleisbetterthan another. Rubin borrows wisdom from renowned author and Trappist monk Thomas Merton:If we make good use of what we have, if we make it serve our good desires, we can do better than another who merely serves his temperament instead of making it serve him.Heres how to use your temperament to get the most out of what youre made of.

The Questioner isnt inclined to do anything she considers arbitrary. Her motivation comes only from within herself. Shell push back against what she thinks is expected of her unless the answers to her questions meet her expectations.

The Questioner does best working out alone and being internally specific about her fitness goals. Is she looking to gain strength? Increase flexibility, endurance, or speed? Consistent personal evaluation of why she works out and whether her activity is achieving that goal will help her determine which type of exercise is right for her.Keeping a log of her progress toward this goal, whether on paper or with an app or device, may help get her moving and stay motivated.

The Obliger needs external accountability to thrive. She can make a promise to herself, but theres no guarantee shes going to keep itbut get someone else involved, and itsa whole different story. The majority of people fall into this category.

The Obliger should enroll in classes at the gym or a studio, hire a personal trainer, or sign up for a road race. Any of these outer expectations will provide someone or something else to challenge her to show up. Having a workout buddy may help her as well, but only if shes equally committed to her own health and fitness goals.

The Upholder typically has the easiest time forming habits because she holds herself accountable to both internal and external expectations.

If the Upholder makes a plan, shes going to stick to it. She knows whats expected of her, and she thrives in making it happen. This makes her the ideal workout buddy. Shes got her own goals in mind, but she also feels responsible to keep a promise. Because she doesnt want to disappoint herself or anyone else, theres little that can shake her. She will do best setting reasonable goals for herself so that she doesnt burn out or get injured. A steady, moderate regimen in any sort of exercise will help her achieve and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

The Rebelthe rarest of the four tendencieswill resist what shes asked to do, simply for the sake of resisting. She thrives on making her own choices and having something enjoyable to look forward to.

The Rebel is a lone rider, and shes prone to more unusual forms of exercise. Youre not likely to see her at a trendy barre or spin class. Instead, shell be training with kettlebells, rock climbing, doing acroyoga, or pounding her way through mud runs. She should go her own way by trying different types of exercises, working with different instructors, and staying attuned to her mood.Shell do even better if she knows theres a treat or tangible reward of some kind waiting for her at the enddid someone saymassage?

Shakespeare wrote,To thine own self be true.He wasnt writing about workouts, but the sentiment still applies. You can identify your tendency only if you are honest with yourself. Likewise, you will stick with your fitness plan only as long as it energizes you and complements your tendency. If youve already found a workout routine that works for you, great! Stick with it. If you havent yet, dont worry. Theres always time to try something new (though if youre a Rebel or Questioner, pretend I didnt say that!).

Photo Credit: Taylor McCutchan Photography

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A Smarter Way to Motivate Yourself to Work Out - Verily