Weight lifting advice

Hello MFP community!

I must say, the posts I have seen and read are incredible! You are all inspirational! Keep up the phenomenal work!

I am a female, 28, 5'9", 150 lbs and healthy weight and am interested in weightlifting. I'd like to try something new, to shred excess fat (especially around my large midsection/stomach) and tone my body. I have a thin body type, but I have excess fat around my stomach. I have never had a slim or moderate stomach in my life, and have never been able to get rid of it. I look pregnant. Even when I was recently at 136 lbs, I still had a large midsection. This has always been the frustrating thing for me. I have a gym membership and have tried weight circuits at goodlife, but I feel I'm not really getting the best out of my work out. So I usually opt for high intensity cardio. I'd really like to give weightlifting a serious try and wanted to ask what your advice is. I'm really not sure where and how to begin.

I would love to hear about your weightlifting journey and success, your suggestions, advice, recommended routine, diet/food choices on how to approach weightlifting and attaining my goals.

Thank you!!!!