I lifted weights for years, and it may have been the only thing that saved my life. Find a place to set-up a small home gym, it'll see more use & be cheaper than joining some place you'll pay dues, fuel costs to get there, and it can be intimidating to work-out next to a meathead.
Use free-weights, not machines because it'll work more (compound) muscle groups. Start-out with a simple program using lighter weights, be more concerned with form, and getting into the routine of working-out for the 1st month or so. Keep a log with sets/reps/ poundage & try to increase something alittle each week....a couple pounds or a few more reps.
Learn the nutritional values of foods, and cut-out the junk (and pop), I used to allow myself 2 crappy meals a week (or deserts). I was in my 40's weighed 215, and had 11% bodyfat. lol, I'd hate to have a body composition done & see what it is now :shock:
Oh.....stay away from the "body-builder" mags....they're purpose is to make you think if you buy the crap their sponsors sell, you'll look like the guys in the pics. Look at the guys in prison, some of them get into pretty good shape with no supplements & less than optimal nutrition. Don't fall for the "20 minute workout 3X a week" BS either, sure it's better than nothing, but you need atleast an hour 3X a week.
Whatever you do, don't give-up. Don't count on having friends to help motivate you. Several of mine joined me, for a short period & quit....but I kept working-out myself. You'll be sore for a while, but it gets better, and you actually learn to like it.
ST