Yes! Water will DEFINANTLY work!! I am 5'8 as well and used to weigh 210, now i am down to 176. It only took me 3 months to lose 34 pounds. If you want to like get tips or watever than email me at hptictac89@yahoo.com you don't have to, i just wanted to tell u that water would work! good luck! ~Tina p.s. were u serious when you said ur dad would kill you?