Chapter 5
What’s your Shrinkology Type?
The next key step in your quest to create a truly personalised Shrinkology solution is discovering which Shrinkology type you are most likely to be. This is the bit you’ve been waiting for!
We have combined the well-established research and principles of psychology with a deft bit of insight and analysis to create six distinct ‘overeating’ categories. The vast majority of people who struggle with their weight will fit one of these. Finding the Shrinkology type which fits you most closely right now is a crucial step in developing your personalised Shrinkology plan. Your approach and attitude to food is, of course, completely unique to you and based on your very own suite of influences, susceptibilities, strengths and weaknesses. But we have found distinctions which help us clearly define each type and cherry pick the best hacks and tips to guide your approach to change. The advice you’ll find in your Shrinkology type chapter is very specifically designed to hold greatest appeal to you and ultimately to be most effective in getting your head in the best possible place to find and remain at a happy, healthy weight for you.
First and foremost, you should try and answer the questions in the quiz as instinctively as possible. Don’t think, just do. You can run through this quiz with family and friends, but do bear in mind that it is designed as a diagnostic tool for adults who struggle with their weight. The algorithms are not suitable or appropriate for children, and the quiz is not designed for idle curiosity so it cannot offer accurate analysis if you are, in fact, happy with your weight.
Your Results
If you are unsure about your Shrinkology diagnosis, ask your partner or a trusted friend to answer the quiz on your behalf – their response might be intriguing and highlight some aspects of your eating behaviour that you’re unaware of. Just make sure they are aware of the purpose of Shrinkology and are there to support, not critique your journey. But anyone who is willing to admit they have certain issues with food, and might be occasionally frustrated by repeated failed dieting attempts, should find themselves clearly falling into one of the six Shrinkology categories. You might find you straddle two or even three types and, as we explain in Part Four, your Shrinkology type can change as you move through life.
Second Place
Do make a note of your second highest score as this could indicate influential factors which will also have a bearing on your future weight-maintenance success. You can think of this as your ‘rising type’ just as keen astrologers pinpoint their ‘sun sign’ (from their birth date) but also pay attention to influences of their ‘rising sign’ (which is usually different, and calculated according to the actual time of birth). It is certainly worth reading through both chapters as any duality in Shrinkology type might explain conflicting traits worth addressing. By tailoring your approach and personalising your plan, you stand a much better chance of success.
Rebel who’s either fully immersed in a diet or thoroughly ’off message’
Gourmet who lives to entertain and indulge
Scrambler forever nibbling, grazing, snacking on the hoof
Soother who finds comfort and solace in food
Traditional adhering to deeply established dietary conventions
Magpie flitting from one sparkly new diet plan to another?
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT.
Which of these most closely describes your friendship style?
A My friends are extremely important to me, but I struggle to keep up
B I enjoy the company of people who share my interests
C I have a small number of very core ‘best’ friends
D My partner/family are my best friends
E I’m not too interested in making new friends, I stick close to my old buddies
F I enjoy meeting new people and building new friendships
What is your most-cherished dream?
A To live a fabulous life free from mundanity
B To achieve tip-top health
C To be truly, deeply happy
D To be mortgage- and debt-free and financially secure
E To be the best of the best in everything I do
F To get to the end of each day without some mini disaster
If you invite friends over for dinner you are most likely to serve up:
A Fine food made from exquisite ingredients, laboriously prepared and beautifully presented
B A healthy and nutritious meal featuring the latest superfood ingredients
C A simple but delicious curry with rice, naan and all the trimmings
D Shepherd’s pie with peas/carrots or lasagne (with garlic bread)
E Steaks (preferably medium rare)
F Pre-prepared chicken/salmon breasts with bagged salad
When someone says CAKE do you think:
A ‘Which recipe is this? What are the ingredients?’
B ‘Does it contain gluten? Sugar? Refined flour? Is it organic?’
C ‘Mmmm, delicious!’
D ‘If only I had a cup of tea to go with it’
E ‘No thanks, I’m trying to be good ... oh go on then’
F ‘Can you wrap me a slice to go?’
How would you best describe your grocery shopping style?
A I like to browse independent delis and shop locally when possible
B I’m a fan of health food shops and the ‘free from’ aisles
C I find it hard to stick to my list and I’m easily tempted by offers
D I stick closely to my usual shopping list or my online ‘favourites’
E I’ll grab something at the express supermarket close to work
F I have an online food delivery every week and I’m always on the look-out for BOGOF deals
Which celebrity impresses you most?
A Barack Obama
B Gwyneth Paltrow
C Oprah Winfrey
D David Attenborough
E Bear Grylls
F Davina McCall
What kind of books do you prefer?
A World events/politics
B Literary prize winners
C Romance
D Celebrity autobiographies
E Personal development/specialist magazines
F Audio books
What movie genre is your favourite?
A A foreign film with subtitles
B True stories/docu-dramas
C Romantic comedies
D Classic action movies like James Bond
E Horror
F Sci-fi
What’s your preferred breakfast option?
A Homemade muffin warm from the oven or organic Greek yoghurt
B Green juice or smoothie
C Porridge
D Cornflakes or toast and jam/marmalade
E Protein shake
F Black coffee
Your perfect holiday would be:
A The latest word in high-end luxury
B A fastidiously researched city break with a packed itinerary
C A super-chilled villa/beach/pool holiday
D The same place you love to go back to each year
E High-octane adventure/trekking
F Fun family holidays that involve inevitable compromise
What’s your perfect kind of car?
A Lexus (high-end luxury)
B Tesla (economical/environmentally sound)
C Volvo (super-safe)
D Land Rover 4x4 (practical/useful in all conditions)
E Porsche (sexy sports car)
F Ford S-Max (practical/useful)
What’s your confrontational style?
A What confrontation? I’m usually right
B I try to read the signs before working out the best option
C I’ll usually do anything necessary to find a swift resolution even if this means compromise
D I try to avoid conflict and keep things to myself if I can
E I’ve been known to flounce off in a huff
F I’m good at conflict resolution and sorting things out
What’s your preferred snack option?
A Smoked almonds or olives
B Granola bar
C Chocolate
D Biscuits
E Energy ball
F Diet cola
What would you typically choose for lunch on the hop?
A Homemade soup with sourdough bread and cold French butter
B A packaged salad
C A baked potato with cheese and baked beans
D Ham or cheese sandwich on sliced bread (pre-packed)
E Canteen meal or pub lunch
F Chocolate or a couple of biscuits
Chocolate of choice?
A Minimum 85% cocoa solids
B Cacao nibs
C Quality Street/Celebrations
D Cadbury’s Dairy Milk
E Chilli-infused chocolate
F Freddo, Finger of Fudge, fun-sized Milky Way
How do you best like to chill in your spare time?
A With friends, food and wine
B Reading or researching
C Box set/Netflix
D DIY/gardening
E Working towards my latest goal/challenge
F What spare time?
What’s your preferred work style?
A Entrepreneurial: I like to forge ahead and find new opportunities
B Flexible: I’m happy to balance work from home with the office
C Collaborative: I strive to ensure the team is happy and effective
D Conventional: I like a clear plan and set deadlines
E Managerial: I’m happiest when others let me take charge
F Eclectic/diverse: Some of my best work is done at night
What is your favourite tipple?
A Pastis/schnapps/brandy
B Obscure label gin
C Prosecco
D Whisky/Rioja
E Beer
F White wine (in a large glass)
What is your favourite drink on the go?
A Fresh ground coffee
B Smoothie
C Latte with a flavoured syrup
D Tea
E Energy drink
F Instant coffee
What do you look for in food labels?
A I prefer to buy fresh artisan food which doesn’t have labels
B I scrutinise the labels looking for sugar derivatives, preservatives and gluten
C I rarely look at food labels
D I’m brand loyal for familiar names from my childhood (Heinz, Kraft, etc.) and I don’t tend to look at nutritional information.
E I’ll check protein content
F I’m more interested in price, offers and deals
Mostly As: You could be a GOURMET
You love food—but not just any food. It has to be the finest you can find. The process of sourcing and preparing food is as important to you as the ingredients, and hosting well-catered parties is a outlet for your exuberant personality. You have a flair for storytelling and you are socially adept. Your curiosity and fascination also spans current affairs, politics, and you have a deep interest in those around you. Any negative issues with food and eating behaviour only appear because you find it incomprehensible not to consume the best food and drink—surely that’s what life is all about?
Mostly Bs: You could be a MAGPIE
Magpies love to experiment with sparkly new health approaches. You are a trendsetter in many things, moving on from the ’next big thing’ before most of your friends have even heard of it. Your keen investigative skills spill over to all areas of life—you are the go-to person to organise holidays and you are flawless in planning and execution. You also keep an eye on all health news and file it away in your vast memory. The Magpie can quickly lose interest in one diet plan and switch to the next, causing confusion (and overeating), as well as diet fatigue.
Mostly Cs: You could be a SOOTHER
Soothers are highly intuitive, and you care deeply for those around you. You soak up other’s pain and heartache and, as a truly compassionate soul, you strive to make everyone happy. Food is truly comforting due to its neurochemical and rewarding effects that you don’t receive elsewhere, so you seek to self-soothe with food. This makes it very hard to resist carb-laden foods and stick to diets when feelings start to peek out from under the surface.
Mostly Ds: You could be a TRADITIONAL
As a Traditional, you hold your core values very dear. You have great respect for law and authority and you strive to ’do the right thing’. You know what you like and what you don’t and you’re not comfortable taking risks. You do like the idea of adventure and spontaneity, but it takes quite a bit of persuading. Friendships and relationships might take longer to build, but once established they are secure. The Traditional sticks close to long-established patterns of eating and will be frustrated by changes in nutritional dogma and the fact that the old dietary rules and portion sizes no longer serve to keep you slim.
Mostly Es: You could be a REBEL
The Rebel is a very black and white thinker—success and goalmeeting are extremely important. You take everything to the max and you’re more than happy to lead by example. You’re no shirker, and you will exercise to the point of exhaustion, but you’ll think nothing of meeting friends in a bar afterwards and drinking double the calories you just burned in the gym. You’ll show exemplary willpower and stick to the toughest, most rigid diet plan—with impressive results—then blow everything on an all-you-can-eat buffet.
Mostly Fs: You could be a SCRAMBLER
The Scrambler is busy. Really busy. Whether you’re juggling young children, ageing parents, a demanding job, committee work, voluntary positions, you love the challenge of keeping all those plates spinning. For you, life would feel dull if every minute wasn’t a multi-tasking challenge. But amid all this organised chaos, it is all too easy to forget to take care of yourself—it can be tough to work out which plate you are going to have to drop to make room. With so little time for proper meals you graze and nibble your way through the day or find yourself starving and out of control in the evenings.