new, advice would be very helpful

The biggest thing is to avoid processed foods (bleached foods (white bread, white rice, etc.), fast food, refined sugars, etc.).

Try to stick to fresh foods (preservative free stuff). Cooking is not that hard, but it does take time. So make time to learn how to cook what you like. If you're tight on time in the evening, plan your meals on days when you have more time, cook up something, put it in single-serve dishes and grab n' go for the rest of the week.

Bottom line, if you keep your intake below your output in calories, you'll lose weight. The trick is to do it so you not only burn excess weight off, but also get healthier with better quality of life.

It's really a lifestyle change to make weight loss permanent. Good luck to you!

Hi , im new here, my current weight is 165 and i have my goal set up as 125. Im doing zumba for at least 45 minutes for 4 days a week, but hope to do more than that. Any tips or advice to help me stay on track and what foods I should avoid or eat? much appreciated!

I agree with everyone on the food choices...lots of water eat fresh and lean, good carbs. Cook your own meals, this way you know exactly what you are putting in your body... Zumba is great are you strength training with it..If not I recomend you incorporate it in your workouts...no you will not get bulky