I started my weight loss journey a year and a half ago and have successfully lost 70 pounds. I went from 242 to 172. Then I plateaued and I am still in this plateau. I fell off for a couple of months (i tell myself i was just working on maintaining) but I truly just fell off and felt terrible for eating so loosely. I did not gain any noticeable weight back but about 2 weeks ago I told myself that I need to get back on it and be serious again.

My goal is 160 so I can have a ten pound area of fluctuation and i won't completely hate myself if I gain a little back trying to maintain. Well the confusing part is that I have stuck to a strict 1740 calorie a day goal. I put my weight in as 171 although it's actually more like 173-174. It's the lowest calories regiment i have ever been on,but it seems like I'm "gaining" weight. I can still see and feel minor progress with my clothes and appearance but it looks like my weight is fluctuating from 175 to 180! I have gotten to where I don't even want to look at the scale because it is so disheartening although I know I'm doing everything in my power to lose this last bit and I can see the difference slightly.

I have a moderately active lifestyle as I work doing commercial fire alarm so I am up and down a ladder and stairs all day. I also walk almost non stop daily. I can't tell what I'm doing wrong. Has anyone gone through something similar? I feel like I do just want to throw in the towel but at the same time i know I'll always regret being so close and failing my own standards. Even though I've made a major visible and lifestyle change over the past year and a half,i still feel like I'm failing myself.

Any insight or advice for a struggling fellow diet friend?