I have been working out for 8 damn years.. I'll chime in.. Here are some helpful tips:
1. Stay away from the squat rack. You'll thank me in 20 years...
2. Stay away from the bench pressing/deadlifting until you feel comfortable doing those movements with free weights.
3. Pull Ups and Push Ups are great additions to a workout in between sets or as a burnout
4. Do not lift "heavy" unless you want to hurt yourself, you muscle will grow at a nice rate with what you can rep with about 70% effort for 3 sets of 10.. I did 6 months of training at 30% effort.. high reps, low weight.. still had them gains.. made no difference
5. If you do want to lift "heavy", do it at your own peril and make sure your form is perfect (I think lifting heavy is for ego-lifters and powerlifters.. otherwise I see no point to it)
6. Which brings me to this point.. MAKE SURE YOU ARE DOING EVERYTHING WITH PROPER FORM
(Don't be me and try curling 155lbs (was trying to show off), which hurt my lower back, and then go back to the gym after 1 month and think "oh my back is fine, time to go ham again.." and one arm dumbbell row 110lbs with crap form and pinching a nerve..)
Look up videos on youtube, ask people for help, do whatever you can.. but don't be me..
As for diet, stay the hell away from anything that has HFCS or any type of processed sugar. Eat more fats, and of course protein, and make sure to eat plenty of vegetables. Fruits have tons of carbs and the fiber makes sure the sugar gets broken down at a slower rate, so they are fantastic to eat whenever you feel low on energy. Supplements only help recovery, but adequate sleep and food intake will make sure you recover well enough to keep a good pace week after week. I only took protein for 6 months out of my 8 years.. I went from 165-202 in that time frame.. I also took creatine in that time.. Lost 10lbs in water-weight in the 2 months off of the stuff, and just felt/looked fat until I lost the weight/gained more muscle after 2 years of hard work.. So not worth it at all in my opinion
DON'T TRACK CALORIES
DON'T TRY FIGURING OUT MACROS AND MICROS
Edit: I want to elaborate on this a bit - Make good choices based on common sense. Always choose drinks with no sugar added. Drink coffee with just a bit of milk. Don't have wings drenched in a sweet chili sauce, have them naked and add some sauce yourself. Don't get any bars (No Nature Valley, Nutrigrain, Cliff... no just no), just have some fruit instead. Don't juice foods, actually eat the damn thing whole, or make a smoothie, that way you retain the fiber... I think you guys get the point..
DON'T TRY BEING A SHOWOFF AND RISK DEVELOPING A CHRONIC INJURY
DON'T BE THAT TURD WHO MAKES RIDICULOUS SOUNDS (sort of like a dying elephant)
DON'T TAKE RANDOM PHOTOS OF YOURSELF (both at the squat rack and then again when in the locker room.. you probably need help at this point if this is you.. please get help of the sake of all of us who are trying not to laugh and workout in peace)
DO EAT TILL YOU'RE 80% FULL (I like to take breaks when I stuff my face, it helps me gage where I am in terms of satiety)
DO MAKE SURE YOUR FORM IS ALWAYS CORRECT AND DON'T BE AFRAID TO ASK PEOPLE TO CRITIQUE YOU
DO WORKOUT WITH A PARTNER IF POSSIBLE (limits the potential for boredom, increases the competition factor)
DO LIMIT YOUR WATER INTAKE (idk why, but this helps me keep my focus on my workout and not develop a dependence on it in order to have a normal workout.. i have a few friends like this.. those of you who don't workout with glove should understand this if you've tried to wear them.. once you start, you can't undo either preference..)
DO LIMIT YOUR BREAK TIME BETWEEN SETS (Keeps the pump going, focus on, and increases endurance)
I'm Ants in My Eyes Johnson, and I approve this message.