Trying to get started, need some advice

Akgagel727

Hi there all. I am looking for some guidance, I am feeling a little overwhelmed the more I read.
First off my stats:
29 female
Height 5'2
Current Weight 203
Goal Weight 140
MFP currently has me at 1200 calories. Which is totally doable, I usually feel satisfied when sticking with that number.
I joined the gym about a week and a half ago, so far there has only been one day that I have not gone. I usually do cardio on the elliptical for around 40 minutes (the machine says that I have burned 400 calories). Then might follow that with the treadmill for 20 minutes or so (usually 100 calories), or on the stationary bike (sometimes both). I have also been throwing in some weights as well.
I usually try to eat back the calories I burn off, but this doesn't always happen.
I have been monitoring my weight for the past week and a half, and while I know that I am not going to drop weight overnight, I have noticed that I seem to keep gaining and losing the same 3-4 lbs. I kind of feel like with all the exercise I am doing I should be seeing some results. (Before, I was getting little to no exercise, if I ever did it was usually just going for a walk).
I had been reading through the forums and noticed mention of TDEE. I did this and after taking the 20% off I got 2135 calories that I should consume. To me this seems like a lot!
I have been watching my food pretty good (I will be honest, I have had a couple of cheat days this week with the holiday) , and have been drinking water like crazy (which is definitely an improvement over my normal drink of choice--sweetened tea).
On the plus side, I have seen a difference in my thighs since I have started exercising and muscles in my arms--they both seem to be getting a lot firmer.

So anyways, with all that being said, what would you all recommend to help me get a bit more of a jumpstart and how many calories should I actually be consuming?

Thanks in advance for any advice