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I've done "The New Rules of Weight Lifting for Women" (which I loved, and totally transformed my body), and am currently working my way through "The New Rules of Lifting for Life". Check them out on Amazon.

I work on the weight machines at the gym right now, but for a long time I did Body Electric on PBS with Margaret Richards, and she teaches proper technique and form; I really noticed a difference in how toned I was and went down 5 dress sizes even though I only lost about 20 pounds in the same time period. You might be able to find her on t.v. or you can go online and buy her dvds. I never used larger than a 5 pound weight with her program either!

I'm doing Stronglifts. http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/4601-stronglifts-5x5-for-women

Progress slowly and maintain good form, and you won't risk injury. You might want to start at lower weights and add less than suggested if it feels like too much.

I'm hypermobile (loose-jointed) and was very injury prone. I was nervous about lifting, but strengthening my muscles has worked wonders. I don't pop out of joint at random and inopportune times anymore.

I agree, reneelee, working out with Margaret Richards is like working out with a friend. She's so funny and likeable, and her workouts really work! I couldn't do all of every one at first, but I kept at it and got better and stronger every day. I'm glad to see that others on here like her workouts too. I highly recommend them. (I remember one time on the second leg, she was singing, "Oh, second leg...you hurt so much" and it was nice to know she was feeling it too,lol!). tv10308, I think you'd really like her.

NROL4W: Just read a post that it is not for people who have more than 15 or so pounds to lose. Will continue searching...

I have been doing the 30 Day Shred with Jillian Michaels and 30-Minutes to Fitness-Weights with Kelly Coffey-Meyers. I enjoy using free weights, both of them offer that plus I like the 20-30 minute workouts.

My favorite websites for workout information:

http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/workouts/
http://www.niashanks.com/store/

Nerd Ftiness has a great beginner bodyweight workout and has really easy to follow tips for designing your own workout. I decided to work on push-ups and pull-ups and he has progression plans for that. And then I'm adding in squats, lunges and core work.

I just picked up Nia Shanks (S)hero workout ($7 ebook) that I can't wait to try - maybe it will be a New Year plan for me.

I've read NROLFW - seems a little complicated for me. I've tried Stronglifts 5X5 - which is very simple to follow - but I didn't feel like I was making good progress. I think it's more about finding something that isn't hard to follow, and you feel like you can really push yourself.

I only started strength training this year (I was 47), and although I don't have any hope of looking like a 20 something lifter, I have seen some really nice changes in my body. I love muscles!

Good luck!

Weight training is vital as we get older. I have read that no matter how old we get, we will benefit from weight training.
I do a Body Pump class two to three times a week and it really makes a big difference, not just in weight loss but in developing stamina, and I assume stronger bones. The theory of Body Pump is a lot of reps, so you use lighter weights than you would if you were doing just 2 sets of 15 and good form. In one hour, we do a set of exercises to individual songs for warm up, squats, chest, back, triceps, biceps, lunges, shoulders, abs, and cool down stretching.
The things about using weights is that form is so important, if you use improper form you will either hurt yourself, or waste your time doing exercises that have no impact. Now there are aps that show you the exact form to use for each exercise. But for me, I liked having the security of an instructor who would check on our form. I recommend a weights class as a great way to begin or alternatively working with a personal trainer until you feel comfortable with the weights.