Conjectures

I still can't figure it out. On one hand, cleaning up my diet has had a positive effect on my skin. And I've noticed, in this short time period, some minor and temporary increases in muscle definition. But overall, fat levels are much higher, and my body has more curves, than I ultimately want.

A professional ballet dancer has suggested stretching muscles immediately after fatiguing them. This may contribute to lengthening.

A physiological approach to strength training suggests that resistance exercises performed at 2-6 reps to fatigue (no more than 6 reps), with 30 sec to 3 min rest between sets (2-4 sets total/exercise) will increase muscle definition but not size.

Information on Tabata sprints (and HIIT in general) suggests improved fat burning with various forms of HIIT exercise.

What this means for me:
*Spend more time stretching and rolling muscles, on a daily basis.
*Incorporate at least 2 sessions of running sprints each week. These can be short workouts, and they will undoubtedly be painful at first. But I do think they will be worthwhile.
*Possibly incorporate a few body weight-based exercises with the sprinting sessions, that can be performed to exhaustion within 2-6 reps (pull-ups and possibly modified push-ups come to mind)

In terms of food, I'm not sure what direction to take this. Perhaps maintaining a clean diet is sufficient for now. For the most part, I am satisfied with this, but occasionally (and particularly lately) I'm not sated by the same two types of food, and the large servings of meat are less appetizing than they used to be. I suspect my body needs some carbohydrates, considering the type of food I've wanted lately. The question is whether I should increase my vegetable intake in lieu of large meat servings -- will this create hormonal problems and skin flare-ups? Will I be sated by a meal? Will I be bloated and carry extra weight in my gut? One of the essential parts of the plan I ultimately settle on is that it's easy and comfortable to maintain in the long term. I cannot be hungry or feel weak from blood sugar swings; that is not sustainable.