Gained it Fast and Can't Seem to Lose It -- HELP!

[6sixty2two]

i am a 20 year old girl, and i currently weigh 116 lbs. i'm 5'5 in height.
last year, around october, the parties lined up almost everyday, and as a result, i gained around 6-8 lbs. even before that, i guess i hadn't really kept track of what i was eating, as i was used to having a slim body and felt i could eat as much without gaining as much. however, i think the food binge was what did me in.
i used to have a totally flat stomach, and a 27inch waistline. now it's got a little bulge, and my waistline is now up to 28.5inches. my hips measure around 36.5inches.

i recently started working out on the crosstrainer, but i'm bad at endurance. i only manage 15minutes a day and try to do around 15crunches afterwards, and i'm slowly working that number up until i can manage around 90-100 a day. (since i read some advice that it's better to start at 10 and increase 1 per day to get to the bigger crunch numbers.)

so how should i set my goals? i want to get down to around 106lbs, but i don't know if this would actually really decrease my waistline. furthermore, i've tried eating less, as recommended, but not to the point that i would starve myself.

do you have any advice on what i could do about this and if i should make any more changes?
i used to never exercise but i feel its importance, specially since i have a slightly higher resting heart rate than normal, usually around the 120s. (this is also why i feel i cannot do more than 15minutes, because by then, my heart feels like it's about to explode.)

any advice/comments/suggestions would be appreciated. thank you so much.

[Niffer991]

Is it your blood pressure or your resting heart rate that is 120? Optimal blood pressure is 120 over 80 and optimal resting heart rat is 70-85 bpm. It sounds like you are on the right track going to the gym but know you are barely in the fat burning zone if you are doing cardion for only 15 minutes. The longer time you do the more % of fat you are burning so gradually increase the time but keep your heart rate in a fat burning zone (approx. 60-75%) As far as crunches go that is great but spot reduction does not work you can only tone the muscles underneath the fat, cardion gets rid of the fat. As far as crunches go because they are a stabalizing muscle you can work them out 4 or 5 days a week. Good luck!

Try eating more fruits and vegetables because they fill you up the same but they consume less calories. You can try using www.sparkpeople.com to help count your daily calories for you.

Sincerely,
Jen

[paperwife]

I'm no expert, but from personal experience I was a lot like you...I'm now 32.
Jen's definitely right about needing to do more cardio & for longer time periods...even if it's just walking at a fast pace that's what's going to burn those calories.  Also for me in my early 20's was when I really noticed my metabolism changing & having to work at staying trim....it sucks, but it's life & doing it when your in your 20s will help you in the future so I applaud you for taking control of your situation.
Also, drink water instead of soda/coffee/alcohol/ect....it will help to not rack up the calories you consume.

[marissposa]

That gives you a BMI of 18.5  which puts you in the low end of normal for a woman of your age group.  I would not worry about it too much.  Eat sensibly and take a couple of walks a week and you should be fine.  Maybe you should try to do some positive self- imaging.  Since you don't have a weight problem it seems as if you may have something else going on here.  Be good to yourself, appreciate that you have the body that everybody else wants. Every healthy woman in her 20s has a little bulge  ;)

[6sixty2two]

thanks for your responses..:) they really help! i really appreciate all the advice.. thanks to all of you!

[Suri123]

Hi 6sixty2two, how are you doing? Diet modification and exercise plays a vital role in weight loss program. Cut down on carbohydrates and fats; increase the intake of proteins, fiber, fruits, vegetables, and water. Consume less calories and increase physical exercise - cardiac work out to burn more calories as muscles use glucose rapidly. It is better to consult your family doctor and plan your weight reduction program. Monitor weight regularly on alternate days to keep in track the weight to be achieved. Take care bye.