hi there

I lift weights and have off and on for many years... I find it much more enjoyable than doing cardio which I find a chore...

one of the basic rules of lifting is if you can lift the weight easily for 15 reps with proper form it's not heavy enough... but if you're new to it then working on form first is more important... if you lift correctly you'll get best results and you won't hurt yourself...

it doesn't necessarily have to hurt per se but a good workout should be felt... for me lifting speeds my losses... and I've found if I do it I don't I stall...

I have a bowflex machine at home... it's quite wonderful and has a very smooth action... I can do all the exercises I'd do at a gym without having to actually go to a gym...

mind you I don't pay much attention to the scale... I only visit it once a week or so... if I remember...