lifting weights

1. Does it matter if i lift weights for say an hour but alternate between legs and arms when lifting or should I just be focusing say on arms for an hour then legs another day?
Personally I like to break each body part down. I do chest/tris mon, back tues, legs wed, shoulders/bis thurs, cardio and abs friday & legs again on sat.

2. Is three times a week enough to lift weights?
If you give it all you got then yes it is enough.

3. Will it make a difference even if i only lift for say 17minuitesa day , each day when im short on time to fit a full hour in?
17 minutes isn't enough time imo, at least 30 minutes.

4. Is strength training the same as lifting weights?
I think so

You're welcome...have any questions you can always shoot me a pm! (:

NROLFW will explain all this. Wait on the book and follow the program.

1. Does it matter if i lift weights for say an hour but alternate between legs and arms when lifting or should I just be focusing say on arms for an hour then legs another day?

Personally I would stick to compound lifts. I'm not familiar with the New rules of lifting for women though I hear it's good. Figure out all of your major muscle groups and work those on the separate days. Compound lifts will build strength, burn fat, and keep you from having to spend forever and a day in the gym piddling around with what would only equate to accessory lifts (curls, kickbacks, etc).

2. Is three times a week enough to lift weights?

For a beginner, that's more than enough. Take it slow and give your body time to heal. If NROLW is focuses around linear strength progression, you'll make gains and be able to take advantage of great strength growth as a new lifter. Spend some time getting to know your lifts and understanding exactly what they are and what they're working. Work on your technique as well. Putting that time in the beginning will save you pain, lack of progress, and great injury later down the line.

3. Will it make a difference even if i only lift for say 17minuitesa day , each day when im short on time to fit a full hour in?

As the other poster said, I would lift no less than 30 minutes. The routine you choose to do should easily cover that.

4. Is strength training the same as lifting weights?

No. Lifting weights is lifting weight. It's not necessary to train to lift weights. However, with strength training, there is a goal: To get stronger. This means that you will have to eat well and lift heavy. Research endurance training versus strength training, as the two are not necessarily mutually inclusive. Good luck OP!

Looks like you've had some good answers already, but I'll throw in what I've learned in my course so far. I'm a beginner too, so I'm just pulling this out of my notes and book. My course is a general co-ed course, so it may be quite different than what is in the book you ordered. I'm not familiar with it.

1. Does it matter if i lift weights for say an hour but alternate between legs and arms when lifting or should I just be focusing say on arms for an hour then legs another day?

Variety is good if you're working a few days a week. If you plan on training more frequently, then it's best to split the workouts by body area in order to give the muscles time to recuperate (48-72 hours). Remember to work large muscle groups before small ones.

2. Is three times a week enough to lift weights?

That's plenty for a beginner, and good for someone in the long run who might be looking to tone but not add much muscle mass.

3. Will it make a difference even if i only lift for say 17minuitesa day , each day when im short on time to fit a full hour in?

It's more about numbers than it is about time. Focus should be on how many reps and sets you do. I do the DeLorme method. Three sets of 10 reps for each exercise, working the weight up each set, with the third set being my max weight, about a minute rest in betwene sets. For toning (if I remember right, someone please holler if I'm wrong), you want to increase the number of reps and use less than your max weight (about 75% of it I think).