[dugan51]

It looks like most everything has been pretty well covered as far as diet and weight training which I highly, highly recommend. I've lifted for a long long time. But, cardio is necessary to get rid of fat that's accumulated. I think there is no substitute for running, nothing else in my opinion works faster to carve off that fat. I think you should go every day for a while if possible and shoot for something like 3 or more miles (you're young so this should be no problem). As you get more conditioned, start changing up the routine - find a route with hills, try to periodically sprint a few hundred yards every so often, etc. No loafing allowed, work yourself hard. You should be drenched in sweat at the end of each session. I usually weigh 2 pounds less after running. Admitedly, that's water weight, but it tells me I did what I had to.

I lost about 30 pounds this summer by doing this and just eating better and eating less. I didn't even concern myself with counting calories, the scale told me if I was doing the right thing. Bottom line is you got to burn more than you put in. Afterwhile you won't even want to indulge on the junk food and hopefully the beer.

Good Luck.