Need Help deciding on Nutrition Plan (Skinny fat - slight caloric deficit or surplus)

[MJ1256]

Some background information on me: I’m 6’0” 175lbs going into my senior year of high school. I play baseball pretty competively and for the past three years I’ve been very inconsistent in going to the gym. I decided that any of the colleges I could potentially play ball at aren’t up to my level academically and I’d rather go to a bigger school anyways. Now that I have nothing to do this summer, I really want to start transforming my body and get actual gains. I know that its a constant process that is built on trial and error but I like to do things efficiently and that brings me to my biggest question. If I’m at a bodyfat range of 16-18% (ill post pictures later), Do i go on a clean bulk, cut, recomp? There are so many options and I don’t know what to do first. My goal is to look shredded and ultimately look not only ripped (six pack) but also really strong. If I go on a clean bulk I worry that I might look bigger but I’ll still have a bit of belly fat and My muscles won’t pop or be noticeable. If i go on slight caloric deficit im scared ill lose the fat but also not gain any muscle. My gut is telling me that if I eat really clean calories then i’ll naturally gain muscle and lose body fat due to cutting out all the **** that I eat on a daily basis (chips, fast food, soda) but I’m looking for advice from experienced bodybuilders that have dealt with this dilemma. Thanks.

[MJ1256]

My post count isnt high enough to post images yet yikes ill try to later

[formicaman]

My post count isnt high enough to post images yet yikes ill try to later

Can post them on your profile

[MJ1256]

Thanks ill do that now

[MJ1256]

Posted pictures in my gallery and as my profile picture. The camera makes my stomach look skinnier i feel like.

[AdamWW]

uh... if you actually think you're skinny fat, you have some serious body image issues...

You look like you're at a very healthy bodyfat/build. You're not like stage-ready fitness lean, but you look like you're fit and active... where the heck did you get 'skinny-FAT' from??

[MJ1256]

Maybe I was a little too harsh on myself, but basically i want to really gain more muscle mass but I also want to lose the belly fat needed to reveal a six pack. So I don’t know if I should first focus on losig the belly fat or just only focus on going on a lean bulk and hoping my body takes in the clean calories and the new pounds of muscle i put on lowers my body fat ratio.