any tips for weight training?

Before you do anything, read these from my man Lyle McDonald. Outlines what to expect and gives some great information on how to structure your own workout. It's a 4 part series that will give you a wealth of information.

http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/muscle-gain/beginning-weight-training-part-1.html

The link to the next part is always at the end of each article.

edit - And congrats on the loss so far! As far as the machines part goes, it's a great way to get started. Part 4 of that article explains why machines may be the preferred way to get started for the absolute beginner. Once you get a few weeks of them under your belt, you can graduate to free weights which are, of course, the preferred method of strength/weight training. Don't let anyone discourage you from using them if that's where you'd like to start getting comfortable in the gym.

I've worked out off-and-on since my last few years of college. After a long layoff I like to start doing daily pushups before going back to the gym. I would just do a single set. I would start back with a very easy number (I like the feeling of making progress). I do them daily, twice a day at the start if I'm really starting back from a real long layoff. Usually I increase by 1 pushup each time I do them. If I had a short layoff I might start back at a really easy number but go up by 2 (sometimes even 5).

Even if you do 1 set a day and only increase by 1, you get up to a good amount in a short amount of time. I just feel better going to the gym when I have some upper body strength to start with.

Recently I saw a website that has a path to 100 pushups in a single set (http://hundredpushups.com/). It sound like fun so I started doing that instead of my usual routine.

Pushups are great. There are variations that are probably easy enough for anyone to do. No equipment necessary. They don't take much time.

Good luck!

Another good program is Allpro's simple beginners routine. You can find it in the forum at www.bodybuilding.com. They have lots of info on beginner routines. Hope this helps

This may get some negative feedback however I will say it anyway. Combine your cardio routine with your weights. If you go to the gym and it has a track take a pair of light handweights with you on your run. Every lap stop at a wall rest for 60 seconds and then perform basic lifting like standing sholder press, bicep curls, standing chest press, overhead tricep extension, oblique twist, standing squats, wall squats, lungs, This is an easy way to increase your muscle tone. In order to prepare you for the "weight room"! Once you have a hang of the movements using a small amount of weight you can take the same moves into the weight room and perform them with some grace. LOL I always love to watch myself in the mirror because as cool as you think you look you don't and nobody really does. Luckily the weight training and fitness community is a very supportive enviroment. You may be performing a chest press with 10 pound dumbells and need a spot and the biggest guy in the gym will head over to help. They all started somewhere and they understand the pride that men have to let down in order to perform the lifts in peak form. Speaking of form it is crucial that you maintain proper form in order to increase your strength and stablility in a routine. If you can not keep your form then lower your weight. If you try to push on with a heavy weight you can risk serious injury which only sets you back. Another suggestion that I have is try a weight lifting class like power pump or what ever the name is at your gym. It helps you get aquainted with the proper form and name of lifting techniques. It also helps alot with learning to stablilize the free weights. Hope this helps! Good luck on your journey

Lots of good info and advice here, I have been lifting off and on since I was 14, now 35. I took a 3 year hiatus until last year, and when I started back it was rough, the best thing I ever did was start with a couple of months of light weight lots of reps, it built a very sturdy base i was able to build on to now do heavy or endurance lifting. As for machine or free weights, I think if you have never lifted before start with the machines but keep in mind that you do eventually have to move to free weights, and when you do I would suggest working with dumbbells more than barbells when you can.

Muscle and Strength is good to go to as well. They actually have beginner plans and some of the lifts have videos in case you're unsure of how to do it. I'm sure Bodybuilding.com has that as well.

You don't have to do alot of weight to start with. Slowly work yourself into it. I'm a huge fan of Smith machines and dumbbell workouts. Do not get discouraged if you don't see results quickly. It takes time.