why can't i lose these last few pounds!!???

In april '09 i got within 2 pounds of my goal (I am 30yr female, 5'0 and want to reach 108lb, medium build,) I started my journey at 120lb. For some reason I just kept hovering above my goal and decided to "take a break" during the summer because i was becoming so frustrated: I still worked out but allowed the occasional splurge etc. Everyone on CC said to increase my calories so I started averaging 1400-1600/day (I work out 5-6 days cardio/weights 1 1/2 hrs each session) but I will admit to a few days where i know i reached the 2000 mark.

..well I got on the scale today and i am up to 114.5....just last week I weighed 111.4.lb..what is happening!! Why am I fluctuating so much??

Should i just buckle down and eat 1262 cals again -- I am so afraid that i am going in the wrong direction!!!

Any advice will help -- please remember I am short which leads me to believe i can handle lower calories...

thanks in advance

I used to weigh once a week, but in my personal opinion, if you don't let it go to your head, it's better to weigh everyday bc some days you retain water and weigh more. Weighing everyday helps me reflect better on what could be causing a sudden weight gain (or loss).

thanks mperic81 , and anyone else-- do you think i should drop my calories down to the 1200 range??

I'm in the same boat. I'm 5lbs away from my goal and I have been stuck. It's frustating and that's why I'm weighing myself twice a week instead of daily. There are thousands of factors for weight fluctuation that are not fat gain.  Don't obsess about your weight but also evaluate your progress with body measurements and how your clothes fit.

As for the calories, I checked CC burnmeter and for your stats, you burn 1400 cal when your sedentary, but it seems that you workout at least moderately and that would put you at 1800 cal burned on the days you workout. Your BMI is a healthy 21.7. And muscular people have higher BMIs because obviously muscle weighs more than fat. So why be so restrictive with 1200 when you are at a healthy weight already? I'd keep your caloric intake the same and try to change your exercise routine to be more "inefficient" like HIIT. Quoting from this blog "Efficient exercises that are routinely performed cause the body to burn less fat and burn fewer calories than inefficient exercise." In my case I decided to stop obsessing about my last vanity pounds and accept that they may come off eventually, even if painfully slowly. Patience my friend!