I'm also a newbie and after hanging around some other cycling forums I am delighted to find a female forum! I bought a Giant Anthem last year but was too shy to actually use it much, then my rollerblading daughter just kept at me and telling me my fears were all ridiculous, which they were!
My starting weight is 224 and my goal weight is to be under 220. It feels really good to get out there on my bike and feel the breeze and see the sun and the fields, so much more fun than a gym with loud music.