Looking for a strength plan I can live with; any suggestions?

Question

I have recently began working out again and while I think I have the cardio aspect of my fitness plan down, I'm struggling to find a suitable strength training plan. I prefer weight machines to free weights, but I wonder if I'm getting enough from my workouts by using machines and I'm never quite sure which machines to use to get an allover body workout, so many of them appear to work the same muscles. I don't really care for free weights because to use them at my gym is a real hassle, I'm allover the gym jumping from this exercise to that exercise, not really knowing which exercises to do or how. And then of course, when you enter the realm of free weights, there tends to be a certain type of individual you encounter that I don't really care to have to deal with. You know the guys that look like they live in the gym, who's egos tend to match the size of their muscles. Then they shoot you those looks as if to say, "You don't belong here, go back to the machines!" Please help.

Let me also specify; I am not looking to put on mass. My goal is to lose a significant amount of weight (20 lbs. to start) while at the same time adding some muscle and defining my body.

Answer 1

Do a modified deadlift;

Bend over, pick up the bar and weights with your arms. Do not stand up straight. You should be bent over, knees bent, elbows bent. HOLD the weight for 60 seconds. Do this every other day. Once a week, add more weight to the bar. Tightens up all the muscles and makes you stronger and more massive as time goes along. After about 6 months, you will start giving the same stares to others.

Answer 2

Go swimming best cardio around.. and resistance of water is good.. and also read a flex mag