27 years old, 5'9", 148 pounds

I was like you and what I did was drink 2, 50 gram protein shakes a day and started lifting.

You do NOT have to eat surplus calories to gain muscle mass.

Btw you really need to concentrate on your back, it looks like a woman's.

show peen

cant make good decisions without information

I don't think your body is that bad. Pretty normal and nice looking actually. You should lift though.

did you calorie cycle at all, or just eat a constant amount regardless of whether you worked out or rested on a given day?

You weigh about as much as a girl.your height should weigh. You are devoid of any muscle.above the minimum requirements to survive dude. You seriously need to not worry about getting fat atm.and just put on muscle

Perhaps lift?

I'd only load up on carbs if i was getting too fatigued. But even then I would just eat a big bowl of spaghetti.

Just lift, eat protein and get a good nights sleep.

This.
Bulking/cutting thing is a meme. When i started lifting i went from a skinny fat(much like OP) to fairly fit in about a year. My pecks and arms gained a lot of size and i didnt have to gain 20lbs of fat to do so. If you lift as a beginner you should make gains without getting fat.

i think i'll try a lean bulk like you suggested, for maybe 6 months, then reassess.

thanks senpai