Newbie Help - Cutting

Ok, so I'm pretty new to the fitness game and I'm in need of some direction.

First of all, my main goal is to do some cutting. I have a 6 pack down there somewhere (I can actually feel it), but I have this little 1/4-1/2" layer of fat I just CAN'T get rid of. I've tried dieting, completely stopped drinking soda and eating junk food, taken Ripped Fuel fat burning supplements, and I just can't get it off. I know that losing the fat is all about having a proper diet and doing good cardio. I guess I just need some direction as to what a "proper" diet is, and what sort of cardio exercises I should be doing. I have excellent stamina (ran 7.5 miles, lots of hills mixed in, a week ago), so it's not like I'm fat and there's exercises I can't do. I'm really athletic, good flexability, play basketball all the time. I just need help losing this damn little layer of fat. Basicly I'm wondering, what should I eat, how often should I eat, and what sort of cardio activities are good for helping shed upper body fat?

I'm 5'10", 180lbs, but I don't LOOK fat at all (if that helps). I actually have a good amount of muscle, just this damn layer of upper body fat I just can't seem to get rid of!

This is about lowering your body fat...depending on how low you are there may be other strategies but here are some basics that answer your questions:
 
For Losing Fat
http://www.discussbodybuilding.com/For_Losing_Fat/m_111175/tm.htm
 
Any questions so far?

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Nice thread, thanks for the direction!

Cool!

My Journal - www.discussbodybuilding.com/fb.ashx?m=168123
PRIMERS:
Gain Muscle - www.discussbodybuilding.com/fb.ashx?m=111173
Lose Fat - www.discussbodybuilding.com/fb.ashx?m=111175