I've been lifting pretty seriously for about, 20 years. I don't have much advice or real zeal for a thread on the subject.

For me I was a marathon runner in the mid-80s and transitioned over to lifting. I needed more bulk. I do not train all my muscle groups with enough balance. Things change dramatically after you turn 40, rest time wise.

I used to work two muscle groups out, once or twice a week. I've always needed/used lots of off-time for growth. Turning 40 made the problem worse.

Lately I've been working mutliple body parts twice a week based on the theory that growth hormones are released by specific muscle groups when worked. We'll see in a few months.

My only advice would be to eat often, min 7 meals a day, minimum. Keep your aerobics up so you don't get fat. Big is great, fat and big kinda sucks. I've been using a Nitros Oxide supplement which is great for an energy boost before working out. I use something called "Superpump 250". Its a rockin' supplement.

So, 7 meals a day, protein at every meal and two good work outs a week lifting, with lots of rest, offset with atleast one good quality aerobics session a week. Thats what I do. Mind you I'm also a full time Executive, government consultant, and grad school student. Some of the grown-up cr*p gets in the way.