There are many doctors that think the starvation mode thing is a bit over used. Your metabolism will slow down if you are not taking in enough nutrients, but not to the extent that most people think. If you are burning enough calories, and don't drop to dangerously low intake levels you should be fine.
The other thing I have to take exception to is the thought that lifting heavy weights is going to add all this muscle that will put on extra weight. While muscle is more dense than fat, and hence heavier it also helps your body to burn more fat. The more muscle you have on your body the better when it comes to your metabolism. The other thing to note is that people who get big are attempting to do so. You are not going to put on too much muscle from simple strength training workouts. The people you see in magazines and on TV who are big are taking supplements, eating high calorie diets, and pushing their body with very heavy weights. If you are to lift 6 days per week, but stick to weights that you can move for 12-15 reps per set you will never get big.
I agree with 90% of your post Stephen, but you were a bit off on those 2 points.
Strength training is good for the body. We as a population have become too sedentary, and we need to push our bodies to do more. Getting into the gym and pushing those weights will keep you from aging, and allow you to do more in your daily life.