Weight lifting- Where do I start???

A lot of people will suggest StrongLifts 5x5. It's simple, you start off light, and there's a group for it here on MFP. It's apparently about 45 mins 3 times week. I've not started the program yet, but I will do after xmas.

"30 minutes a day" is sort of arbitrary until we know: what you're lifting, what you're working, exactly HOW many days you're lifting, etc.

For instance, I lift 30 minutes four times a week. Those days are split upper/lower body + core, with a rest or cardio day in between. It's thirty minutes because, well, with rest in between sets, with the amount of training I do, that's what it turns out to be. Back before my weight got much heavier, I could do 3 full body workouts a week around 60 minutes (then it started taking too long with rests).

The minutes spent lifting really boils down to the amount of weight, amount of exercises, and amount of rest time for you. I think I'd focus more on WHAT you're doing, not how long (particularly if you're thinking in terms of, "How many calories burned?" It's hard to estimate that with strength training, but the burn lasts HOURS after the fact).

As for how much weight you should start with: I'd try doing all the moves you plan to do (ex: squats, bench press, rows, etc.) WITHOUT weights first until you've mastered form (since you said you have your own bench, so I'm guessing not at a gym, be extra careful about form... look up things on YouTube, try getting someone you know who lifts to check you, etc.).

I'd refer to good programs and groups out there (like Stronglifts 5x5) to help guide you through weight, ideas, etc.

Ask for the book "Starting Strength" for Christmas. Spend some time watching Mark Rippetoe videos on youtube. Google the (free) program "Strong Lifts 5x5" and check that out.

Those are all great places to start! You should be focusing on the program you want to do, not an arbitrary amount of time to spend in the gym. I do Strong Lifts and some days I can get in and out of the gym in 30 minutes. Some days, it may take 45 minutes. The time doesn't matter - what matters is that I'm getting my program done.

I'm glad you looking into weights - it will help you maintain muscle so that as you lose fat you are not losing (as muscle). Rarely is a pound of weight loss a pound of fat. It can be made up of muscle or water too. Just take everything one step at a time know that as your body improves things will get easier! New Rules of Lifting for Women is a great read and I think does a nice job of explaining the benefit of lifting.

Good luck!

I just checked out the New Rules of Weightlifting for Women from my local library and am planning on starting after the holidays. If you want to organize a checkin/weightlifting challenge together, let me know!