I am new to fitnesspal

Hello everyone! My name is Rose and I am 28 years old. I was refered to this site by my friend and co-worker, "fatfelyne" (Christina) last night. She had mentioned its a great tool to keep her motivated in her weight loss goals. I am recently going through a divorce and now looking back I realize I gained 20 pounds while in a very stressful marraige. I found a picture of myself from my college days at the beach with some friends. I was amazed that back then I looked so great, tan and tone yet was still not happy with my weight at the time. I posted it on my fridge as a reminder everyday of my goals. I was going to the gym and eating right at the time of that picture so I know what to do and how to do it but the emotions and stress of everything going on makes me want to watch tv all day and eat junk food.
I come from an Italian family on my mother's side so we eat a lot of bread and pasta and always 2-3 helpings. My family is all about eating good food, talking for hours, then eating good food, then more talking and so on. I've struggled in my adult life with portion control and social eating, that is, eating when I'm not hungry just because others are eating around me.
I've decided this is my time to start fresh. A new beginning where I can stop feeling sorry for myself and actually do something about it. I know it will be much easier now with the support of my new friends on fitnesspal.