It's almost time to give up and eat a twinkie

So I've been doing CC since October 2007.  My goal is 105, I'm 5'0" and in August will be 50 years old.  I only wanted to lose 30 pounds before my birthday,  that's not too much to ask, is it?  I have been exercising 5 days a week, for about one hour, burning approximately 700 cal each time.  I was eating about 1200 cal daily, but then I saw no progress, and upped it to 1300 cal.  So, I still should be losing weight, right? My deficit is still at least 500 a day.  What should I do?  Lower calories, lower exercise, raise something?  I have lost weight, about 20 pounds,  I'm just ready to give up on the last few.  I just hate to be a quitter before my birthday.  At this point I'm questioning everything I eat.  I have been watching my analysis and I keep getting A's or at leat A-'s , what's the deal?  Is it the protein, carb, fat percentage?  I just don't get it!!  Maybe that twinkie idea isn't half bad.

Well done for losing 20lbs since October.  I make your BMI now to be 22-ish which is absolutely spot on healthy.  Once you reach a a healthy weight it is incredibly difficult to lose more and maybe your body is saying it's happy at that point.... who knows?  I'm sure you look fantastic.

 If you've been dieting since October chances are your body's got used to the 1200-1300 cals.   Your maintenance intake would be about 1900.  My suggestion would be to have a couple of days this week where you go for that twinkie and consume your full maintenance intake.   This should have the effect of boosting your metabolism short-term.  And then go back to your weight-loss but at a gentler 1400 or so.  Best of luck

gi-jane's always right!  eat a little more.  enjoy eating a little more.  try not to get frustrated.  be happy with your progress so far.

Thank you so much for the replies.  Just knowing someone out there is listening to my venting made me feel so much better.   I have just been stuck so long at the same weight.  Months at 109-110, no matter how much I eat or exercise. I actually saw 107-108 in April for a couple of days, but then it was gone.   I guess it's better than gaining.  Maybe it's muscle!  My dh says I look good and I feel great, it's just that I still see a little "jiggly stuff".  I suppose that just takes a while to get rid of. I may take a little break from the low calories next week,  it's my wedding anniversay.  Then I'll get back on the wagon and see what happens.  I am happy, just frustrated.  This is the least I've ever weighed in my entire adult life!  Thanks again. 

I think you should really put your energy into maintain your current weight loss -- that is going to be the most difficult part.  Your body creates a "set point" after a certain period of time, and in order to re-set your body, it is going to take 6 months to a year.  After that point, you could try additional weight loss.

Also -- I don't know if you are pre- or post- menopausal, but that is also going to hinder your weight loss as you go through hormonal changes.   Congratulate yourself on a job well done -- don't focus on the scale, keep up healthy eating and exercise and ENJOY YOUR LIFE (occasional twinkie included).  You're not a quitter.  You're at a very healthy weight.