Hi, open for suggestions and learning!

Hi all. I was here a while back and fell off the bandwagon so to speak. I weigh more now than ever. Including pregnancy. I've been logging everything that I eat or drink except water with the exception of about 2 weeks where I gave in to the holiday foods! I didn't gain though, yay me! I just started on the elliptical yesterday (2 minutes, 2 times ha) and am working up to some heavy lifting. I'm at 8 pound dumbbells and managed 4 minutes 2 times today lol. I'm trying I haven't been so great at weighing in because my weight has always fluctuated 5-8 pounds and while I have a first goal number, the number means the least to me! I hate what I see in the Mirror and I hate how my clothes fit and my body feels weak and heavy. I'm still reading and sorting through the forum and maybe I'm doing things all wrong but I know I'll eventually get it right! I think my diary is open If anyone would like to offer pointers on my past logging before the holidays! I'm 5' 3.5" and weigh 147ish. I was 152 at my worst so I haven't lost much. I try to stay around 1200 calories but I know that technically I can eat around 1340 so I am not too strict with myself. My biggest issue I think is my love of having a drink or two after work! My elliptical says I burn about 1 calorie per minute even though I'm at about 4mph. I'm not really stressing on that yet though since I just got it! I guess I don't really have a question, there are too many to narrow it down! Just wanted to say hi and open myself up to some critiquing!