Hi. I'm new too. Just like you I'm counting calories. My limit is 1200 a day though I usually only have 800. I use the myfitnesspal app on my phone to help keep track too.
I've cut out all junk food and fried food...it's like a game for me counting calories...I will stand there and decide if something like a dinner roll (I love me bread!) is really worth all those calories when I can have 2-3 applies for the same amount of calories. Temptation is my worst enemy but I've found actually seeing what I eat and the calories in them has definitely curbed wanting the bad food. I find that if by chance I want, say a muffin, then I work out to burn all those calories off. Here's to us losing the weight and feeling confident! Good luck!!