I've never been really heavy and never had weight issues before.  I've for the most part ate healthy and exercised my entire life.  The last two years have been inordinately stressful where my family need had to come before my need to workout (or find time for myself).  I know I've gained a few pounds and for the first time in my life have to/want to take it off. 

I've used cc as a guide.  It's hard for me to log all my calories/exercise here, but I do keep a jounal (note book) where I keep track of every thing I eat and what activity(work out I do).  According the cc I should consume 1200 calories/day (based on I'm 34yrs old 5' 2" currently 112 started at 119 and want to get to 108).  So that's what I have been following. 

I am very strict in counting every calorie.  I have had "cheat meals", but I generally just work them into my daily count (i.e. short the other meals or work out more to balance out).  If I do splurge like on a holiday I don't get distraught, but just get back on the wagon.

Last night I went to my doc .  He suggests me eating 1600 calories/day based on my lifestyle.  It seems high for my size to me.  Because I've have been keeping track of calorie intake I know I can bump up some, but I don't know if I can consume that many calories daily on a regular basis.  I don't have an eating disorder...it's just a lot for me. 

I do have very limited time to work out.  I do 300 crunches (various variations) 5-6 days per week.  I alternate calistenic/strenght work outs every other day (one day push ups & triceps lifts next squats & lunges).  I do 30 minutes of cardio daily (ride exercise bike, jog in place or work out video).  In total it's about 45 minutes of working out 5-6 day/week.  This is all the time I can squeeze in to work out based on my life.  I incorporate resistance bands in workouts.  I have just bought some 5lbs weights to start incorporating and I also just got a monitor that will tell me what calories I burn...I'm going to set that up tonight.