"My aerobics instructor energizes me," says Billie Catherine Taylor, a receptionist in Irving, Texas. "All winter she had us imagine the butt and abs we wanted for this summer. She always pumps us up and pushes us hard." Taylor has been attending the same 5:45 a.m. class regularly for two years--and has dropped from a size 14 to a 10.

But she wasn't always a fan of workouts. "I never liked exercise," she admits. "I tried doing jumping jacks and squats at home, but I wasn't consistent. I tried videos, but I got bored."

The secret to Taylor's success was figuring out what her energy personality was. "Once my clients discover ways to diet and exercise that match their personalities, it's like a weight being lifted," says Taylor's aerobics instructor, Kathryn Fink, R.D., L.D., who's also a nutritionist and fitness consultant. "It removes a lot of stress and shows them how much easier workouts and healthy eating can be."

So, what's your energy personality? Find out by taking our short quiz, then follow the expert advice that's right for you.

If you answered mostly A's, your energy personality is people-oriented. Whether it's family, friends or colleagues, people are the center of your world and your key source of vitality.

Your obstacles You're less willing than other personality types to eat food that hasn't been carefully prepared, or to exercise on your own.

Energize your diet You get great satisfaction out of cooking comfort food for yourself or your friends or family as a way to show you care. Therefore, you'll want to look for healthful, energizing recipes and cookbooks. Toni Bloom, a registered dietitian with offices in San Francisco and Silicon Valley, recommends Stealth Health: How to Sneak Nutrition Painlessly Into Your Diet (Viking Press, 1998) by Evelyn Tribole. "It teaches you how to make traditional comfort foods in a healthier way," Bloom says.

Energize your exercise You may have a tendency to avoid gyms because you think of them as unattractive, boring or impersonal places. So it's imperative that you find one that feels fun, social or different in ways that are appealing to you. You'll also want a trainer or class instructor who cares about you and tailors workouts to meet your needs.

Of course, the gym isn't your only option. You could play team sports or hike or bike with friends. Fink also suggests signing up for a charitable event such as a run or walk to raise money for a cause close to your heart. You'll be energized by the contribution you're making and can bond with others who care as much as you do.

If you answered mostly B's, your energy personality is goal-oriented. You are a woman on a mission and you tend to get charged up by efficiency, productivity and a sense of accomplishment.

Your obstacles You're more likely than other types to eat prepackaged food, to go out for meal-based meetings or eat at restaurants and to be too busy for exercise.

Energize your diet You prefer a to-do list rather than a lot of choices or recipes. To help you plan meals efficiently, seek the advice of a nutritionist, a structured program like Weight Watchers or an online plan that customizes menus with foods you like, such as our own iShape (ishape.com). Or try meal-planning software like Bloom's Exchange It ($99; 408-808-1333, tonibloom.com). You probably won't be able to avoid dining out altogether, but you can reach your eat-right goals by having an appetizer and soup or salad in lieu of an entree, ordering dressings on the side and skipping dessert.

Energize your exercise Just as with your diet, when it comes to workouts, you do best with a fast, effective routine you can easily check off your list of tasks. "Take a class like Spinning or join a club like Curves if you prefer to drop in and be put through your paces quickly," Fink suggests. Or, if you want to exercise on your own, work with a trainer first; he or she can help you design a solo routine to meet your goals in the least amount of time, making it easier to stick with a plan and get revved by your results.

If you answered mostly C's, your energy personality is action-oriented. Movement is your power source, so you make exercise a priority and you're rarely sitting still.

Your obstacles You're more likely than other types to miss meals, you're prone to overexercise and you may not fuel yourself effectively to stay as pumped up as you'd like.

Energize your diet Pacing your eating throughout the day will boost your energy and smooth out highs and lows. "Celebrate the grazer in you," says Bloom, who gives her action-oriented clients a two-page list of snack-bag ideas, including bite-sized veggies, almonds, whole-grain crackers with peanut butter, nonfat yogurt and light cheese. Stock up on enough healthful foods to get you through your day, if not your week; keep them handy at all times--in your car, purse, desk and/or backpack.

Energize your exercise Try working out in a group class where an instructor sets the pace and doesn't allow you to skip your warm-up and cool-down--both of which are important for keeping you healthy and injury-free. Vary your routine, which not only keeps you motivated, but helps prevent overuse injuries. Finally, try activities that connect your mind to your body and that are lower-impact, to give your body a break. Tai chi, yoga, Pilates or no-impact cardio like swimming are great choices.