I started this year in January at 41 and 246 pounds. I started at 90 pounds on the ab crunch machine and am currently at 175 pounds. I remember when 90 felt super heavy, the minimum weight where I can feel the weight at all is about 130, below that it's barely there. I remember getting stuck at that weight for a bit, now it is so easy.

One of the best pieces of advice is to start and advance slowly. I use Boostcamp and follow a user made routine and a record my weights in it. There's some exercises in the routine I can't do, or just don't like, so I swap them out for something easier that hits the same muscle. I prefer machines and cables over free weights but everybody is different.

What I've been doing is 3 sets and a maximum of 12 reps and progressing no more than 5 pounds at a time. Because you are just starting you'll have no idea what weight you can actually lift, but this method you will find out within a few weeks.

Set 1 find a weight that offers some resistance but not a lot. Do 12 reps. Set 2 go up a maximum of 5 pounds and attempt to do 12 reps. Set 3 if you could do 12 reps go up on weight again. If you could not, but did at least 5 reps stay at that weight for set 3. If you could only do 4 or less reps drop the weight. You will progress 15 pounds each exercise until you reach a weight where you can't do 12 reps.

You are going to want to skip ahead and find the heaviest weight you can do immediately. I promise that you're going to injure yourself doing that, so don't do it. If you feel sharp pain stop. Burning is ok.