If you are totally new then I would suggest consulting the women forum for diet advice and getting a personal trainer to show you the ropes. Don't just get the first one you see either. I am a personal trainer and I think that 75% of the trainers out their treat women as a joke. They need hardcore training just like men, only you need to be acclimated to the environment. Learn the machines/exercises and I would be happy to help you out.
And no matter what your girl friends tell you lifting weights will not make you huge and muscular. Even though I hate this word, it will make you nice and "toned"(oh my God, I just used toned).
Also, cardio is overrated and priority should be given to weights.(and for all you that are going to jump to nail me, I saod overrated, not useless)