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Jim L questions "Can I gain muscle and lose fat at the same time?"...

Jim, it is evident from your note that you've got good things going for you naturally. I say forgo the cutting up plan and find a bodyweight where you're solid, big, yet have sufficient muscle separation. Carry an extra 5 pounds so you're nowhere near fat, but you ain't shredded either. Now, well fed, train hard using that extra bodyweight to push the iron - I always have done and do today, mix the reps - 15, 12, 10, 8, 6 - with ascending resistance - great to get both high and low reps for vascular pump, overload, diversity, muscle awareness, challenge and fun. Every three+ weeks go for 4's, 2's and single PR's (personal records) in your major pressing, bar curl, squat and deadlift.

Everybody - no junk. Pack in the protein and ample complex carbs. Save the real diet for another time. Red meat for aggressive growth, chicken and fish for general muscle building and ripping, eggs and non-fat milk products around and about like muscle mortar. Pre-workout fueling is vital for endurance, muscle pump, power and attitude. (protein drinks and creatine work best) and post-workout meals within 60 minutes of completion do major cellular repair and reconstruction.

Invest in this training mode long term to build the muscle mass, shape and density - relax, don't be too critical. Everyone is anxious for gains - me too - trust that they're happening. Cutting up too soon often costs you time and muscle - wait at the edge just a little bit longer.

You will build muscle and burn fat in the same time frame. Entirely different processes but they do complement each other. Remember, increased lean muscle presence raises the basal metabolism - i.e. more calories are required to support your increasingly muscular system at rest. Bingo. God is good.