As a newbie myself (fours months in and loving it!) I know exactly how your fingers feel!! Just as was mentioned before, go with it. If you can work through the pain now, you will harden your fingertips before you know it. Mine were excruciating until about a month ago, when the callouses got thicker. I just kept going, and now there is no pain except a bit after a long practice session. Its weird, because the callouses peeled (sorry, that sounds gross!) and the tips were soft again. But they don't hurt - I think they desensitise aswell. The callouses are there, but not as thick as before. Keep the nails short too, I find I am filing mine all the time these days just to keep them short! Its amazing how quick they grow when you don't want them to!
GT is great - I'm so glad I found it! I'm at the end of Fund.1, just mastering F Major and B and speeding up the chord changes. Then its on to Fund. 2!!
I grab time to practice when I can, there's no set rule to how long or how often. I play every day, but children and animals restrict me somewhat! Thats why GT is so good - its always there, whenever you need it!
Good luck! :) :) :) :)