What if this really IS where my body wants to be?

 So I get sick of hearing people tell me that my goal weight is too low, that I will be too skinny, that it's just too much to ask from my body BLAH BLAH BLAH. 

BUT I have been fighting with my body the past few weeks, and it's winning. I exercise hard, I generally eat within my plan (net 500/600 cals on days I run, about 60 carbs for those days too, around 800 cals on strenth training days, and 40 -50 carbs). Yet my body seems to be fighting to stay at 170. For a few weeks I was up and down the same two lbs between 169 and 170, then I lost down to 168 and thought HOORAY I am finally off this stall, then BAM next morning back to 170 and I have been there now for days. 

Maybe this IS where my body wants to be, maybe it's my "set" point, or maybe its just me making excuses. I don't know. 

How did you know when you where really "done" and at the right weight to start maintaining? 

The last few lbs are really hard to get off. Sounds like you are exercising enough, but I wonder, if you are eating enough for your activity level. Sometimes, mixing up your exercise routine will provide a needed jolt to your body.

When I was losing the last amount of weight, I changed up my exercise routine, by adding an extra day or two, and/or increasing the intensity and length of time that I exercised.

Do you know what your body fat percentage is? You may have more muscle than fat and you can weigh a bit more.

Gail

 Well I just ordered two Kettlebell DVD's that I am going to do on the days I don't run, so hopefully that will shake it up a bit. I don't know my exact percentage b/c my bathroom scale is not really accurate, but I DO know that it's coming down b/c even though the number isn't right it has come down almost 5% just in the past few weeks!

You may want to just take a 'break' from the plan for a few days.  Nothing crazy, but a break. 

I was in the same boat, thinking I was 'done' and I went up in calories for a few days while out of town. I didn't go crazy, but I did eat some things like no-sugar added frozen yogurt.  I still logged my food, though. I came home and had lost a pound.  I went back 'on plan.'' I dropped 4lbs in 2 weeks.  I also run and do strength training.  I think my metabolism needed to hit the reset button.

Because of the issues I'm having with my thyroid hormones and feeling like crap on a stick (it appears partially due to iron deficiency), I went to 'maintenance' mode not long ago based on physician advice. I am  trying to keep calories above 1100-1200.  I am still losing slowly. I would like to lose another 8lbs, my surgeon says I'm done, but he's not seen my bottom half nekkid (at least not since he operated on me).  

I know what you mean, the only opinion I really care about (besides my own) is my husbands since he is the only one who gets to see me in my birthday suit LOL When he tells me I am too thin, I will listen LOL

 Have you had loose skin removed? Depending on how much you've lost, you may very well just be carrying that extra weight in loose skin.

 Yeah, still have all my lovely, floppy, saggy skin LOL I bet if I could get it take off it would be at least 15 lbs lost, the triplets KILLED my belly skin and the weight loss has just made it worse LOL

i bet you are adding muscle which is heavier than fat. have you ever had your body fat percentage tested? might be interesting.

and my doctor told me to kickstart weight loss speed by going up to 80 g per day from 70 and it worked. make sure your calories include enough protein.   don't give up yet. I have a feeling you are not done.   Diane

 Thanks Diane! I am itching to get to the NUT so she can do my percentages, I have an appointment sometime next week (I never remember until the phone rings the day before to remind me LOL). I have a scale that does it, but it's never been very accurate, BUT the numbers have come down almost 5% just in the past few weeks (and it's been consistent) so the muscle thing is probably true. I get anywhere from 90 to 100 grams of protein a day, so pretty good on that front.

It's just so crazy frustrating to be so close and feel like it's so far 

YOu have done great but I am wondering if you are getting enough calories.  You might want to try uping your protein . It worked for me, when I ate more protein , I started to lose again. .  Are you drinking enough water?

Patty