Happy New Year everybody. Over the holiday, I've done some reading in trying to decide on a simple lifting routine. Last year I'd moved to a circuit with fewer exercises and it looked something like this:

Wall squats with a fitness ball (15ish reps, increasing each week)
bench press (10-12 reps)
deadlift (5-7 reps)
lat pulldown (10-12 reps)

I'd increase reps and/or weight if reasonable, although I didn't have a spotter so I kept the bench low enough to avoid trouble. I'd do three sets of the above, and add some isolation like triceps extensions, dumbbell curls, lateral arm raises, and overhead presses (dumbbell).

I'd go through three sets of everything except the squats, which I'd do 5. The isolation exercises would be 1-3 sets...kind of thrown in willy nilly.

So I want to be more focused this year and consolidate my lifting. Stronglifts 5x5 seems to accomplish that and is incredibly simple to follow. (Not the same as easy to complete...mind you.)

I'm very excited to get started. I've read quite a few posts from this group and learned quite a bit, but I have a few questions if you don't mind:

Mehdi doesn't seem to write too much about cardio. I enjoy the cardio I get (stationary bike; ice skating; the occasional hike) and once I'm a bit stronger I might even play some floor hockey and/or ice hockey and I don't want to leave the cardio out. I'm also old enough at 42 to recognize that I'm not the young guy that can work really hard with heavier weights once I get there and recover quickly.

First question: How many of you also do cardio? And how - if at all - does it interfere with your plan of three workouts per week?

Second question: Do any of you only do two days of 5x5 per week instead of 3? Or some modification like two rest days instead of one, and simply go over third day regardless? I don't want to sound like I'm trying to take the easy way out here. I'm simply being realistic based on how slowly I recover now, my time and my interests.

And to clarify my goals:

Lose the fat and get fit, all while enjoying my workouts. In the past, I've definitely enjoyed lifting, so I'm not worried about that. Being the 'buff guy with a 6 pack' isn't on my list of goals. I simply want to get fit and enjoy life.

Thanks again in advance for any answers.

Lowell