I'm new to bodybuilding, Help me out!

[sonic52260]

Hey, I have a story and it really is a long one. I cant even remember all of it! It all takes place in the past 8 months or so. I have completely changed my life and turned myself from being a fat-ass to being a pretty fit guy.
I weighed 215 at my heaviest (im 17 years old now and 155lbs , 5'9") My weight loss started with a program called p90x, im sure most of you have heard of it. Good old Tony Horton at his best... BUt i didnt eat good or anything so i didnt get the results i really wanted. THis made me nearly get more than one eating disorder from yo-yo dieting. I gave up on the workouts and started trying to do insane amounts of cardio while eating as little as possible. I would binge though, of course. At one point i got down to 142# or so but i was really just losing all my muscle mass. I was looking really skinny without losing too much body fat. I swear it was mostly muscle...
But, that story really isn't what is important anymore. I like focusing on NOW, not the past.

I got sick of constantly worrying about my weight and stuff, it really sicked so i decided to do the p90x again but with the nutrition guide thingy as well. I have followed it until recently when i stopped getting enough energy and i dont like counting all the servings and stuff in their book. If any of you have it, you know what it mean. Its really tedious. Now im just following a 2400-2500 calorie diet of 40-40-20. I have lost a LOT of my fat (im on the last of 3 phases in the three month program) and by the end of it i'll probably be pretty ripped... maybe 6 pack, maybe not. Dunno yet!

So here is what this thread is all about:
I have decided i want to get more into bodybuilding. I LOVE lifting weights and seeing results on myself. I think its a really rewarding sport/lifestyle but i really have no idea even where to start. There are so many different plans and diets and EVERYTHING out there its a bit overwhelming. I dont know what bulking and cutting are, how long they last, i dont know how many calories to eat, how many, what ratios.
I have just been following the p90x program the whole time. It seems to do well making me lose fat but i am still struggling to gain muscle. I am going to stick with it until the 90 days are over but after that i will probably consider something else. But what?
Btw, i can't really go to a gym to work out. Its too expensive for a membership and we already bought a big dumbbell set. I have 5lb increments from 10-50 and a chin-up bar. I pretty much need to work off of those.
So here it is, big list coming:
-What should I eat
-How many calories
-Should i ever have cheat days or meals?
-What are bulking and cutting, how long do they last?
-Can i bulk with p90x?
-Is it even possible to gain much muscle at 17 years old?
-What workout routines can i use if p90x wont cut it?
-What is the best time of day to work out?
-Are recovery drinks even needed? Or can i just eat a meal right after i work out?
-Should i do cardio, and if yes how much?

I'm a total newbie here, sorry to everyone who thinks im pathetic for knowing nothing about this. P90X keeps you kinda clueless the whole time just telling you to follow the book while doing the workouts every day. I dont mind doing them again but if it just lowers bf% without muscle gain then what's the point?

So, im a guy new so bodybuilding who needs someone to point him in the right direction!

Ill give you all my info:
Male (if it wasnt obvious)
155 lbs
5 ft 9 inches
17 years old

ive been eating 2400 cals daily with 40-40-20ish.

[Jc340]

read all the stickies, lift hard and eat clean and you will see results. For the workout i would look up 5x5 or ripptoes starting strength and go from there as you become more experienced. As for diet i would eat 500 calories above your maintenence of good clean food (lean meats, complex carbs, healthy fats). Good luck with your goals.

[sonic52260]

I took a quick look at those. It looks like i might need to actually break down and invest in a barbell/bench press... Or is there anything out there where dumbbells will cut it?

[lift4gains]

get on riptoes, 1-2lbs of protein per pound of your body weight, a load of carbs eat above what you normally, atleast 500 extra cals, take pictures front, back & side. also measure. get on the ripetoes routine, get eating and maybe further down the line get on some sup's but concentrate on your diet & routine first.

[RawMuscle90]

Hey mate, You can definitely build quality mass at 17, just take a look at Lee Priest when he was your age, he was a monster but his been training since 13,
Anyway, Cheat meals are good i usually have them on my day offs or the day before a lacking bodypart so i can get an extra pump,
You should be looking at having 6-8 small-medium meals a day, and like previous comments you gotta have ur proteins,carbs good fats and etc.
Well it depends on your goal if you should do much cardio, If your in a bulking phase i wouldnt do to much cardio unless you bump up your calories, Because to much cardio causes stress to the body and stress releases cortisol which is bad for your muscles, people do endless hours of cardio to lose weight but dont realize that their not just losing fat but also muscle, and for every pound of muscle you lose you lose the ability to burn off 35-50calories coz thats how much 1pound of muscle burns off.
I personally like using Protein Shakes, i seem to be on a rush but dnt take more then 2 a day, i usually take one 30-60mins before gym and right after gym, and sometimes at nite so my body stays anabolic for as long as possible while i sleep.
So yeh gudluck with your goals mate if ya need any help just drop me a line
peace out
and train hard