Skinnyfat - what's best for me, bulking or cutting?

[Lolpingu]

So I'm one of the unfortunate people who have had very unhealthy eating habits up until a certain point, and have (somewhat) recently decided they want to look good, and didn't have a body worth a damn when they did.
So I started working out, and have been lifting 4 times a week over the last 6 months (pyramid, mostly), before which I never considered fitness a requirement for a stable well-being.
As a result of a combination of previously poor eating habits, unsuccessful cutting (I tried to starve myself with a daily sub-1000 calorie intake for a couple of months, we all know how that turned out) and bulk-less lifting (I held the foolish belief that it's possible to lose fat AND gain muscle with noticable results) over said 6 months, I have an oddly shaped torso that's not fat, not buff and not skinny - it's a humiliating mixture thereof. I'm pretty sure this is what they call "skinnyfat". While I do think the lifting I've been doing HAS given my torso a bit of a more "manly" shape, it's still being violated by evil pockets of fat which my previous "non-self-aware self" has foolishly accumulated over the years.
From here, I'm fairly inconclusive as to where I should take my body - judging by the pictures I posted, should I swallow my pride and go on a bulk, which probably means I'll have even more fat to cut later on, and that It's gonna be a while until I can feel comfortable with taking my shirt off, or should I cut, and get a decent-looking base for bulking, but push the bodybuilder chest and abs farther away?

 

[pyrobatt]

So I'm one of the unfortunate people who have had very unhealthy eating habits up until a certain point, and have (somewhat) recently decided they want to look good, and didn't have a body worth a damn when they did.
So I started working out, and have been lifting 4 times a week over the last 6 months (pyramid, mostly), before which I never considered fitness a requirement for a stable well-being.
As a result of a combination of previously poor eating habits, unsuccessful cutting (I tried to starve myself with a daily sub-1000 calorie intake for a couple of months, we all know how that turned out) and bulk-less lifting (I held the foolish belief that it's possible to lose fat AND gain muscle with noticable results) over said 6 months, I have an oddly shaped torso that's not fat, not buff and not skinny - it's a humiliating mixture thereof. I'm pretty sure this is what they call "skinnyfat". While I do think the lifting I've been doing HAS given my torso a bit of a more "manly" shape, it's still being violated by evil pockets of fat which my previous "non-self-aware self" has foolishly accumulated over the years.
From here, I'm fairly inconclusive as to where I should take my body - judging by the pictures I posted, should I swallow my pride and go on a bulk, which probably means I'll have even more fat to cut later on, and that It's gonna be a while until I can feel comfortable with taking my shirt off, or should I cut, and get a decent-looking base for bulking, but push the bodybuilder chest and abs farther away?

<img src="http://anabolicminds.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=97184"/> <img src="http://anabolicminds.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=97185"/>

Bulk on a 100 calorie surplus or 250 if your worried about fat gain. 300 to 500 if not. Get a better base of muscle then cut.

 

[HIT4ME]

I agree with Pyrobatt - gain some muscle. It will make cutting both more effective and more rewarding. You may even lose some of the fat while gaining the muscle if you are newer to lifting. I think Pyro is right on the money!

 

[Lolpingu]

Bulk on a 100 calorie surplus or 250 if your worried about fat gain. 300 to 500 if not. Get a better base of muscle then cut.

I understand. Bulking it is, then. Thanks, man.

 

[PuZo]

Consistency is key for getting rid of that last little bit.

 

[laneanders]

Definitely go with a lean bulk to begin with. pyrobatt hooked you up. 100 - 250 calories above your TDEE calculated maintenance will allow for adequate, moderate, and sustained muscle gain with minimal fat gain.

 

[inmylife34]

I d bulk then once u have some muscle not a slow cut

 

[blacklac]

Find a good proven program too. No offense, but most beginners have no idea what they are doing in the gym. Find a good beginner strength program, like a 5x5 or something. If you're not afraid to put on a little fat, 350-500 calorie surplus is great. Give it 6 months or so and reassess your goals. If you've never truly bulked before, you should have some solid results in that time.

Edit: You have a better base than I started with.