A lot of good information above, there is also a sticky for over 35 beginners by IronWill. That has some good information that supports a lot of the direction you received above.
It should not be an issue, in-between sets you adjust the weight to meet your strength. There is no reason you can't follow his workout, working out at your level.
I am currently going through the same issue, Nov 13th in hospital with branch left and a-fib. At no time did they imply that my training was an issue, at 5'10" and 207, stated I carried my weight...
Solid work as normal going on over the past couple of weeks, thanks for keeping it real in the over 35 forum. To much bad info being shared from time to time.