Hardcore? Not hardcore? What does it actually mean. It is hard to put exact definitions on their meaning. Hardcore can be defined as 20 rep squats heh.
The biggest thing to take into consideration is that you are a beginner. Pushing yourself near to your limits could cause injury easily. If you want to lift weights, treat it like anything else. Learn what to do properly, learn good technique on the BIG three. Warm up properly. Like all beginners should, start off slow. Even if you don't push yourself, you could still make some reasonable gains over the next 1-2 years and be at a much better place than if you did nothing.
Don't worry so much about diet etc, eat healthy and eat enough. Use the time when you are taking things slow in the weights gym, to build up a good conditioning base for yourself in the cardio gym.
Quagmire
P.s.-I mean think about it guys, a 50-150lb barbell on his back, will not crush his spine and paralyze him for the rest of his life.
