Trying to lose 20 pounds

I'm right there with you! I am finding in my brand new journey that logging my food helps tremendously!!! ESPECIALLY, if I log it before eating! For example, I wanted a yam last night, but when I entered it, I saw that it was a lot of carbs right before bedtime, so I deleted it and didn't eat it. It's kinda like the numbers are the control for me.

Working out, maintaining how much food you eat, and motivation.....

I try to just close the kitchen up mentally after 7 PM. It's something that works for me. I sometimes have my biggest meal at lunchtime, and just something small at dinner. I still cook for husband and son, just play chef. I always eat breakfast though. The most important ingredient in my food preparation is my MOOD! lol So sometimes I fix my food first then theirs.

With 20 lbs. to lose, I hope you've set up MFP to lose at a rate of 1 lb. or less per week. This should give you a reasonable amount of calories to work with. If you add exercise, you can "earn" more calories.