WELCOME Melissa! I'm sure you will find the support you need @3FC. People here are really great!
I also just started recently and I know what you mean when you say you don't like stepping on the scale. I'm the same way. There is nothing more discouraging than after a week of eating healthy finding out you didn't lose a single pound or worse else, gained one. It gets me mad and I end up eating junk food because I feel like I'm not going to win anyway.
I actually started the same way - eating smaller portions of everything. I also added exercise - just try walking! After a while not only was I eating smaller portions but I was also making better food choices. It comes with time. I've tried dieting so many times that I know I'll be better off if I take it at my own pace and not try to lose 100 Ibs in 3 months.
Anyway, Good Luck and Welcome!