my wife started with 10 lb dumbbells squatting. Now she can bang 225 no prob. However as for the motivation thing. She walked out in the garage one night and told me she wants to start lifting. I never got on her shit or anything prior. She knew I loved the way a muscular, toned woman looked. She has been going strong ever since. When I hug her or we even playfully wrestle now, its like wrestling with a brick. She has done so well. Good luck Vino. They have to want to do it. Hopefully she gets hooked on it and wants to continue