So I'm goin moderately hard in this weight training program. I'm trying to build some upper body strength and burn fat. So what would the best way to do that be?

I'm trying to get a diet together, but I have no clue what I should have in this diet.

In our classroom we mostly have the weight machines. In our fitness lab that we can go to, there's a bunch of the bikes, treadmills and elliptical machines along with freeweights and the weight machines.

I'm pretty much weight lifting retarded, other than knowing how the machines work. I'm 6', and 235, technically "medium" build even though I'm fat. So, anyone have any suggestions?