Carolyn Mein's 25 Body Type System

WHAT YOU CAN DO WHEN YOU'RE TORN BETWEEN TWO TYPES

You're tearing through the pages of Different Bodies, Different Diets, searching for the body type that sounds most like you. Then confusion sets in. You may feel you're a Pineal's mind inside a Heart's body. Or, you don't look quite like the body type photos. Fearing you're missing some important point, you close the book, leaving it on your coffee table and completely forget about it.

Good news—you can still discover your type (yes, even you!) In fact, being "torn between two types" is one of our most popular questions on the Bodytype.com message boards. So, if you need a little assistance, we've composed seven savvy steps to successfully get you through!

Buy the book. Although it seems obvious, there's no way you can type yourself without having a copy of Different Bodies, Different Diets.
Go back to the beginning. OK, sure, it's fun to skip around the book and read all the interesting tidbits. However, the only way to determine your type is to follow the body typing instructions exactly. Review the "What is Your Body Type" chapter, and follow the body typing instructions step by step. Sometimes, a second look is all it takes!
Have a trusted buddy help you. Sure, you may think you have thunder thighs, but your friend sees them as "just right." Or, you may insist you aren't a control freak—and then your friend reminds you how you had to chair last year's book club. Friends can offer you a valuable perspective on your self-image and personality—and you can use this feedback to help you find your type.
Don't get hung up on absolutes. Did you read a personality profile and scream "That's me!" And then, you reviewed the photos again and thought, "Hmm, maybe I'm not right about my type. The model's fingers are a bit longer than mine." Don't worry, you don't have to look "exactly" like the picture. Nor does it make a difference if your actual personality is slightly different than your profile. If one type "hits home," you've probably found your type.
Still confused? Once you've narrowed your type to two possibilities, one of those types will usually be right! Go ahead and try one of the diets for three days. If you choose the "wrong" diet, nothing bad will happen to your body (really!). If you aren't feeling energized after the third or fourth day—try the other diet. It's that simple!
Gather additional resources. If you're still stuck, you can purchase the Men's and Women's Body Type Questionnaire (available at the Bodytype.com store.) The questionnaire asks specific questions about your body and your personality and gives you additional concrete steps for finding your type.
Post your heart out! Remember, the Bodytype.com message boards are the perfect place to go for some extra assistance! Review the archives to see if your question has already been answered. If it hasn't, post your question, comments—or just say "Hi!" We're here to help!