Hey All,
After much do thought I've thoroughly decided I want to change the aesthetics of my body, and generally eat a healthier diet. I've always been active, being a martial arts practitioner for quite some time, however I never gave a second thought to my diet and always ate really badly as I was naturally skinny. Now at college I no longer have access to martial arts and would really like to pick up weightlifting and whatever else necessary to redefine myself physically.

Here are my stats:
Height: Right Between 6"0 and 6"1
Age: 17
Weight: 146
http://img119.imageshack.us/img119/903/pict0045dh2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/1653/pict0033tf7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Ideally I'd like to end up looking like this: http://www.drabbuh.com/chadsspace/images/misc/Ryan_Reynolds_blade3.jpg

Any advice on where to start would be a huge help, as well as perhaps an estimate of my current BF%.

Thanks

Welcome to JSF.

What kind of equipment will you have access to? Full college gym?

As far as BF%, I'd guess somewhere around 7.5%.

Yes, I have access to pretty much anything you can imagine. Large gym, pool, kick boxing equipment. Etc.

I wouldn't want to go up more than say 20-30lbs. I understand there is a lot of stigma regarding intense cardio and lifting at the same time. However, I know many athletes (crew members for example) tend to do intense cardio every morning, with lifting about 3 times a week. Would this be ideal in terms of getting the type of physique I want? At my age and low body fat, what diet should I be looking at and should I be obsessing over it?

Any help with the actual workout plan would be greatly appreciated, or any other possible advice you all could give me would be amazing. I feel as if I've come to the right place for help, as many of the transformations on this site are astounding. I'm surprised John Stone hasn't capitalized on success with his very own infomercial, haha. Much respect to you all.

Yes, I have access to pretty much anything you can imagine. Large gym, pool, kick boxing equipment. Etc.

I wouldn't want to go up more than say 20-30lbs. I understand there is a lot of stigma regarding intense cardio and lifting at the same time. However, I know many athletes (crew members for example) tend to do intense cardio every morning, with lifting about 3 times a week. Would this be ideal in terms of getting the type of physique I want?

I wouldn't be too worried about the cardio; it's not a big problem either way.

What have you done previously in terms of weights? Have you squatted or deadlifted?

Well, I ask about the cardio simply because I worry about definition of abs, but I suppose your right, I probably don't have to worry too much about it at this point.

I do a lot of plyometrics, push ups, dips, pull ups, crunches, planks. Other than that I do weight bar curls, various free weight shoulder exercises, and mostly machines for leg presses, flys, etc. (On a side note, I tend not to have a spotter, so squats have always intimidated me for fear of injury). I've never done too much weight though, as martial arts was all I could handle back then. I used to also ghost box with a pyramid system of light weights for about 50-100 punches each, but I don't know if I'd consider that weight training.

I am however familiar with most if not all exercises, and have checked out some of the bulking stickies in respect to free weight exercises.

On a side note, I have tried to gain some weight with lifting (using those machines), but the whole caloric intake always makes me feel and physically look extremely bloated, haha, I was trying to just go for big breakfasts, and then getting lots of chicken, pasta, etc. Actually...I eat A LOT of carbs, but yea. I don't know much about what I should/should not be taking in to achieve my goal, especially at my age and weight. And, I'm not entirely sure what lifting routine I should stick too. I really just need a starting off point.

I am however familiar with most if not all exercises, and have checked out some of the bulking stickies in respect to free weight exercises.

Well then you probably figured out that for your goal, you want to have a program that introduces you to, and focuses on, the big compound exercises:

Squat
Deadlift
Dips
Pushups
Pullups
Rows
Presses

Of these, the squat and deadlift will be the biggest mass builders. Trust me on that. You are already doing pullups and pushups and dips and you have a small amount of mass. Start squatting and deadlifting seriously and that will change.

Either squats, or deads, or both, will do pretty well. Keep the nutrition up, make sure you get plenty of sleep, make sure you have a rest day after any really big workout, and do legs and back for about twice the volume you do upper body work.

Do not worry about getting too big or gaining too much muscle. That will take a long time before you are in any trouble there, and you will understand training a lot better if you ever come to face such a problem. Right now, don't let fear of success be part of the problem. Just get going.