Agree with everyone so far....

Here's what I've learned about my body that may resonate (find out the quirks of your body):

1 - Not all carbs or fats are processed the same in my body. I can eat pasta daily with no weight gain - but 1 meal with bread or rice and I'm instantly up. All cheeses are fine, even the gooey double brie's - but 1% milk is not. Go figure.
2 - Forget the processed or packaged foods.The foods my grandparents would prepare are all fair game - a purely Mediterranean diet. And it's better to purchase small amounts more frequently so that things are fresh and taste better.
3 - Morning vs. Night - A sweet pastry in the morning with my caffe latte is fine. Forget having a sweet at night. My stomach is a natural night owl... but a bowl of healthy cereal and I'm up in weight, a hard boiled egg and I'm down in weight.

When I get in a rut cooking wise, which can lead to disaster and eating the wrong things, I open up a Mediterranean cookbook, the South Beach cookbook or get online to give me some ideas.

Good luck to you!!! -- and to all of us trying to lose those pesky pounds!