You don't even specify if you're male or female

I'm a 25 year old guy, 5'6", work mostly from home these days which makes it easy to schedule workouts and cook decent food. My family was always very active but I was mostly "the smart one," the majority of my exercise being dancing straight through a weekend at a rave. I entered the workforce and spent 8 years getting fat. I joined a gym about 4 months back and by the end of 8 months, hope to have made a major reduction in that. I'm told I'm shockingly strong, particularly in the legs which would likely come from years working in a rendering plant. I'm told I'm surprisingly flexible which I chalk up to dancing/martial arts years ago.

So, all things said, folks seem to think I'm progressing along pretty well. I'm a critical sort of guy and acknowledge I've improved, but I think I should have more and better results by now but don't know how to gauge appropriately. I've lost maybe 8 lbs. total weight. Granted, I've packed on some serious muscle in 4 months which surely means the fat is melting off and being replaced. My goals being strength enough to pick up and throw whatever I damn well please while still slimming down, is there a way to facilitate both?

On the subject of fashion, I'd hardly call myself an expert but I've made huge leaps in the past 5 years just by emulating others. I recommend doing the same. What sort of, for lack of a better word, "style" are you after? What's attractive to you? I personally enjoy clean cut business type apparel, suits, vests, cardigans and such. Conversely, I also like the looks of grunge/punk/goth/metal types. I primarily work freelance, so I need to appear professional, but not AS professional as my more stable contemporaries. My hair is about 3/4 an inch, I maintain a short but full beard/mustache and I've got some pretty wide shoulders for my size. I've walked into a business meeting rocking big leather stomping boots with corduroy pants, a fitted purple button up and grey vest made from distressed fabric. Accessory wise, a nice but sensible watch, ear cuffs, and I've got arthritis, so I wear my wedding ring on a silver necklace. My leatherman is perpetually on my hip.

Some people like my fusion type of dress. I've gotten compliments from employers and strangers alike. Others, particularly family, say I look downright silly. Thing about fashion is mostly not giving a fuck, wearing what you like and learning to coordinate different pieces into a congruent outfit. Wearing clothes that properly fit your body will turn any scrub into a prince/ss in a heartbeat. A personal rule of thumb is to just stay away from graphic tees. They're always tacky. If you want to look older, you'll almost definitely want to dress in a more understated and subtle fashion. Try softer colors.

http://putthison.com/
http://blazerandtie.tumblr.com/
http://nerdboyfriend.tumblr.com/
http://learntorockit.com/
http://fashiongrunge.com/

Are a handful of blogs I check occasionally for inspiration. Find some similar stuff up your alley. Confidence never goes out of style, so strut down Main St. naked if you think you can pull it off.

>>298
what routine are you following? if you build strength, muscles will follow. the muscles showing is all about the diet.
also, early morning fasted SLOW cardio (basically walking briskly up hill) for like 30-60 minutes will melt fat off like crazy. you shouldn't jog or sprint as it can get in the way of optimal muscle recovery. just do the walk every morning and you will be CUT, provided diet is good.