bulking essential for muscle gain

[muppy]

Hi,
I'm relatively new to all this. I'm wondering as a women is it essential to bulk up and weight gain to build muscle? I'm worried about getting fat but am wanting to increase muscle size and definition. I'm 5,6 tall 18%bmi and 54 kgs (appx 120lbs) and training min 3 -4 p week. Do I need to gain or will I build muscle from my existing fat/weight? I'm upping the protein in my diet.
I don't mean to sound dim.
Thanks for input

 

[Spitfire]

First things first. Fat doesnt turn to muscle. It is burned and used as energy. Second unless you have amazing genetics you need to eat as much as posible, to make substantial gains, now eating heathy and low on saturated fats will help keep your body fat on the low end.