>Yes, ballet is exercise.>Ballet is a good start, so is Yoga if you never had ballet as ballet requires a lot of flexibility, balance, and endurance.>No exercise will make you loose weight. Staying trim is a way of life, not something you achieve and then forget about.>Basically, you need a regiment or routine you finds 1) fits you lifestyle, and 2) gives you the results you want, and then stick with it (year around, or alternate exercises with seasons).>Eating at night (4 hours before bed time) is bad bad bad bad bad...etc.>Drink lots of WATER, 8-8oz glasses/day. Stay away from Sweets, beer, soda, potatoes, chips, and other high carb foods (not saying dont eat carbs, just loose the biggies). Also stay away from the high fat foods such as anything fried (chips, chicken, pickin foods such as mozerella sticks and wings). Stay away from the overly salty, caffinated, or high in chloesterol as well. It is difficult to do I know, especially in todays eat to feel good society (FYI sweets include those high in sugar fruits). >Before eating, clasp both hands together, that is about the size of your stomach and compare to the helpings on your plate. Take away the nonsense and eat the good foods.>If this doesnt work, place both hands firmly on the edge of the table and push. lol >Obviously, start exercising and dieting only with your doctors guidance (never rely on posts such as these for direct recommendations or guidance as you really need a good health checkup prior to embarking on anything life changing). Mountain biking, brisk walking, jogging, running, swimming, and an abundance of other 'do it yourself' sports are great if you get your heart to the 120beats/minute range for 10-15 minutes or so. This gets you burning fat; remember to BREATHE, a very important part of exercise. Work different parts of the body on different days, alternating day to day. (swim one, bike the next, brisk walk, then swim again, bike, brisk walk or something to that effect; remember to follow what your body wants, I mountain bike for 4-5 days in a row sometimes if that is what i am craving.) >Like I said, get your doctors bill of health before you go nuts dieting or exercising. If you dont know where to start, hire a personal trainer that will help you get a good exercise plan, and possibly a nutritionist if you need to learn how to eat properly.>After several years of absense from ballet, I started with Yoga. Found it a good place to re-start as it involves a lot of lengthening (stretching) and strengthening of the large and tiny muscles; teaches you how to do so while also noting how to avoid injury (if the instructor is any good). Also teaches you how to breathe again and get in touch with your bodies interior, not just what you see on the surface. You would be amazed what you learn about yourself (if the instructor is any good, I say this again for emphasis), I personally practice Kripalau Yoga. >One thing to remember, many times when people graze on foods they are actually thirsty. I never knew this until a study I just read. Makes me think now before I hit the cabinets for a treat, "am I thirsty or hungary?", the human body sends both of those impulses in the same area of the brain. Considering some days I dont nearly drink enough of water and those same days I have cravings, i tend to belive the study. Just remember not to force water intake either, your body is telling you somthing.>Hope it helps.[/i]