I am in a simular boat.
I was lifting for a while at home on my bench, but I had to move and didn't set it back up and didn't join a gym for a while.
Anyway I had to start all over again.
I could barely lift have the weights I was doing b4.
But slowly and surely the weight is coming back on the bar.
And as far as those jerks that show off or talk trash, well that's just thier personality. I bet they don't have many friends and feel insecure so they feel the need to "put other people down".
Rock on! -Pete.

__________________
"The pain of life should burn with unquenchable fervor, unyielding in life’s entire eclectic array of stations."