Alright, I need some advice here.

I recently started exercising and have some questionss. I just turned 25 and 10 months ago I was 6'6" and 247lbs when I decided I didn't like the way I looked. I started eating right, cutting fats and sugars and did as much cardio exercise as I could fit into my schedule. I lost a lot of weight quickly and eventually started doing some amateurish weight training in addition to the cardio. 10 months later I now weigh about 175lbs. I pretty much stopped doing cardio and am focusing on weight training but can't seem to gain much muscle mass. My girlfriend and friends make fun of me for being skinny and I would really like to get some reasonable muscle mass (not trying to look like Shwarzenegger, simply something like Tom Cruise in Top Gun would do)

My exercise is admittedly uneducated. I have never spoken to a trainer or coach about my exercise, I just started working on the machines on my own and figured I could make it happen (I did after all manage to lose a lot of weight quickly and without help). But I'm not sure its working very well. I have gotten marginally stronger and I do have visible muscle definition but at the same time I do have (some) flab in the abdominal area and with clothing on I just look lanky.

I don't know what to do at this point. Don't know if I should take supplements and try to build muscle mass or do more cardio to try to lose the last bit of flab that I am carrying. I could get a trainer but my work schedule is very hectic and bizarre and I usually end up doing my exercise either really late or really early at various hotel gyms around the world.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

David

First, congrats on the weight loss. It's awesome to hear a success story once in a while.
As for putting muscle on, if you have the option, start working with free weights. You have to work harder and it uses more muscles to stabilize the weight. I didn't start seeing real gains until I got off the machines (not all the way off, I still use them for some things that are impossible with free weights.) You need to make sure that you are lifting heavy enough and eating enough to facilitate muscle growth, too. You might consider picking up a book to help you figure out a good routine and help give pointers on different exercises, proper form and such. Body for Life is a good starter kit, I hear Body Oupus is also helpful. Peruse the bookstore for something that jumps out at you.

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Keep your body lean, your blood clean and your mind sharp. -Rollins

First, congrats on the weight loss. Second, your girlfriend deserves a smack upside the head (verbally speaking of course, because otherwise this might be construed as an endorsement of physical abuse which is unethical, immoral and illegal in states north of the Mason-Dixon Line). I'd feel the same way regardless of sex,- I think we'd all like to think that boyfriends and girlfriends do not "make fun of" each other. If anything I'd like to think she's proud of you for your efforts and the changes you've brought about in your body, not ridicule them.

Okay that said,...(and I hadda say that,...unsupportive partners really frost my butt)...

Why not work with a trainer. You don't work with them every day or every time you work out. Most are flexible and you can find one to work with. Meet with one who will do an evaluation and customize a routine for you, take you through, and show you what you need to do to. Then you can take the lessons they teach you and apply them at whatever gym you work out at, or whatever time of day. You do not need a trainer with you all the time.

How one exercises to lose weight is about the total opposite as how to lift to gain muscle. But what's important is excellent technique and form because you need to lift heavy, very heavy...and if, by chance, your technique is not right or safe, or if there are better ways to do it, best to have a trainer there to show you up front...you dont want to be lifting super heavy with bad form and get hurt and then you'll be totally out of luck.

You also want to make sure you do progressive overloads. That means not going out tomorrow trying to lift your personal best 1-rep max.

As for looking like Arnold, another misconception people have is that that look can be obtained just by lifting heavy and "building muscle." Arnold has very unique and special genes, and he also adhered rigidly to specific training programs and eating programs. Most of what you see when you look at Arnold is genetic. If you don't have the genes, -- it won't happen,... whether it's to look like Arnold or Tom Cruise. Even if you do have the genes, if you don't bring out the potential, it'll remain dormant.

How you eat, lift, and recover are crucial and need to be balanced. Be wary of books. But especially be aware of magazines which are usually fraught with fiction and misinformation.

I agree with the emphasis of free weights over machines. They work your muscles much more thoroughly than the restricted movement range of machines. That's not to say you can still do some machine movements, but stick mostly to compound movements on freeweights, like squats and deadlifts. Bench, shoulder presses,etc.

Also most gyms offer a free session where they'll "train you in" on the proper use and form of their equipment.

Sounds like you're eating clean and healthy so for gaining size just try upping your caloric intake by about 500 calories until you notice some size gains. Also make sure you're getting enough protein. At least a gram per pound of your body weight.