How do I begin to start lifting ?

If you want to try on your own, there are great books and videos as resources for setting up a routine at home, with a small investment in some hand weights. You can do some research at the library and also look on Youtube. I've used a book called Smart Women Stay Strong for basics. This could also work if you have access to a basic "free" gym at work or at home if you live in a complex with this amenity.

Investing in a gym membership (shop around for the amenities you need and a good location & deal you can afford) can also be a very valuable resource for a variety of great cardio and strength equipment, classess to learn and change things up, and personal training expertise to help you build a program to accomplish your goals.

You have to really think about your goals, the time you can invest, and the money you can afford to "deposit into this health 401k,"
I've belonged to a Gold's Gym in my town (near Boston) for three years. I pay about $20 a month for the membership including the basic group classes like yoga and Zumba which I take advantage of 2-3x per week. Gold's also has a small group training program called FITClub, which offers work with a personal trainer several times a week in 1/2 hour appointments for 2-3 people - which I do 2-4x per week. The gym route works best for me -- the amenties, equipment and classes are great to help meet my goals, the location is perfect to make it convenient, and the price is right.

A hybrid is also possible, there are personal trainers out there who will come to your home or a community center to train you, teach you, develop a program for you, etc.

Give it some thought, do some research, and shop around. Ask more questions here-- there are a lot of knowledgable people and all kinds of variety to reach goals.

You could start buy looking at programs on bodybuilding.com. Don't be afraid to lift heavy you won't get bulky because us females lack testosterone.

The new rules of lifting for women was great and I highly recommend it! If you are worried about form and can afford it as a start up expense, I got a few personal training sessions at the gym to learn some form and basic lifts