I'm new to gaming and just found this site and it has a wealth of information. I've been doing some analyzing on myself and realized how beta I am right now, I use alcohol way too much to losen up. I need to do a complete overhaul of my behaviour. I've already started working out again (just need to tone up really as I have muscles from before but I've got a beer belly now) and eating healthy. I take every chance I can get to talk to people and socialize. I also enrolled in capoeira which I've found is great at generating positivity.

My biggest problem is I'm very closed and have a hard time coming out of my shell. I recently moved to another town with all new people and haven't been able to produce a stable social circle (obviously my closeness is hindering me quite a bit). I also broke up my my girl of 9 years when I moved here (total relationship meltdown, she ended up cheating on me) which has also taken it's toll on my self-esteem.

I'm thinking I should work on my inner game before I start the newbie mission, I intend to read up on as much material as I can. Can anyone recommend what books would be a good starting point? I know I can create attraction when I'm relaxed so I'm confident that once I get the wussiness out of me I can do this.

It's really frustrating being this way. I have conversational skills, I can make girls laugh. I get compliments on my looks sometimes but dammit I'm mental blocking all my progress.

The road to becoming a PUA should start with becoming comfortable with yourself in all situations right? I read the newbie FAQ but there's just so much information I really need to fix the basics first so I have a good solid ground to build on.

Any/all help is appreciated.

I recommend reading "The Game" by Neil Strauss. Not only is it a fantastically well written book and a remarkable story, but it has quite a lot of information from the perspective of someone who was completely new to the community at the time and it has numerous book recommendations. It's probably most people's starting point.

After reading that I decided to read "The Mystery Method" by Mystery obviously. Game has come a long way since that book and ideas within have changed and evolved, but it still contains hugely relevant concepts and it's a good introduction to many terms and ideas that you'll see bandied about. It also still works of course, but am not a huge fan of scripted routines, though they are nice training wheels.

But overall it's more important to get out in field rather than just reading book after book. I read stuff like Double Your Dating by David DeAngelo just because I was so fascinated by all this stuff.

I would suggest "Rules of the game" ,by Neil Strauss. It's starts off with a 30day stilelife change. And theres also "The Game" another awesome book by that author

Thanks for the suggestions. I've actually already read 'The Game' and while it was a good read it didn't really give me that much insight how to better myself. I'll have to check out 'Rules Of The Game'. I'm going to do the newbie mission as my first step into this I think. I've already started practicing by greeting people I see at school (the people there I don't really know), something that has been awkward for me to do.
I'd really want to focus on myself right now before I start doing this for real, I like to be prepared when undertaking such a huge project. My main focus now is to get in shape and getting a more active lifestyle. In the meantime I want to be reading up on things as much as I can.