I'm an 18 year-old teenage girl, 5'8, 135 lbs, senior in high school, and a three-sport athlete. I was recently accepted to the U.S. Naval Academy, and as a result, my New Years resolutions center around getting myself into top shape and eating healthier.

I've never had much of a problem with my body; being active helps me stay slim, though I probably don't eat the healthiest. I've always had a fast metabolism, so I suppose my eating habits haven't hit me (yet). Still, I'd rather make a change sooner, rather than later. That, and I want to be in as good of shape as possible for Plebe Summer, which starts off June 28th.

I've been working out with some running, push-ups, sit-ups, etc. I don't have time for a gym, so any exercises I need to do (in addition to the usual exercise of practice for my sports) need to be possible around the house.

I was wondering if anyone has any tips, first of all, for doing pull-ups with an overhand grip. Is it more the forearm, or the biceps, that are used with that? My friend told me forearms; yet, whenever I start from the dead-hang and try to pull myself up, my shoulder tends to feel as though it's going to pop out, or something. I know that can't be normal; it's not the usual muscle burn, I can handle that, it's like something's wrong with my shoulder. Anyone else have that problem? I've never dislocated my shoulder before, though.

Second, and ideas for snacks to take the place of unhealthy options? Lately I've been eating Welch's fruit snacks (hey, they're good!) whenever I'm hungry, in place of, say, chips or popcorn. I know there are probably better options than that, though. I've always relied on my sports to keep me in shape, but I know diet is an important component as well, so I'd love any advice in that area at all.

Third, and this isn't quite related to getting in shape, but more my own body image. . . the only part of my body I'm not happy with is my butt. I'm guessing that longer distance running is the only way to really lose the pounds there, but are there any other exercises I could do to target that general area?

Thanks to all who read this and respond, it's greatly appreciated. :)

<Strokes chin> Often when your feeling peckish, it may just be that you need a drink. When you next want a snack have a glass of water first, and if your still hungry have something to eat. Try fresh fruit and veg instead of chips.

Hope that's of any help to you. :)

try fresh fruit and stuff for snacks, especially apples, they have pectin in them which stops you from feeling hungry, and grapes, which make your metabolism faster, whereas melon makes you hungrier. or try carrot sticks salad and stuff. also, air-popped popcorn is better for you than toffee so if you want popcorn, have that instead. dried fruit is good for you but also quite high in calories.

Thanks for the advice, guys. I just went to Wal*Mart with my mom and got some healthier snacks- fruit, cucumber, some of those Dannon Light yogurt shakes, and nutri-grain cereal bars. I didn't really want to venture into any of the actual weight-loss stuff, because I know I still need at least some calories to keep up my active lifestyle.

Anyone else with a tip or piece of advice concerning exercise (not involving weight lifting, I don't have access to that)?

I also got Whey Protein Powder, in the hopes of giving my body more protein to build lean muscle mass. . anyone tried it before, or have any comments on it? I know the football players at our school use it.

I also got Whey Protein Powder, in the hopes of giving my body more protein to build lean muscle mass. . anyone tried it before, or have any comments on it? I know the football players at our school use it.
Your body will only convert it into lean muscle mass if you give it a reason to do so, fir example by doing resistance exercises like weight lifting and body weight exercises (i guess this also answers your question about exercise, as you could do bodyweight exercises if you can't use weights).