Can't work it out...

Ok so I'm trying to work out yet again a reasonable calories consumption to achieve my weight loss goals. I'm getting frustrated that the scales are being so defiant and barely shifting. I know that the scales are not the be all and end all but 10lb since August seems to me very slow progress.

I have upped my calories in recent weeks from 1300-1400 to 1600-1800 as my workouts have increased. I currently work out at the gym 3 times a week and burn 600 - 800 calories on the cross trainer and the treadmill (mainly brisk walking on steep incline as my ankle causes me problem when I run although I'm trying to build it up), and 45 mins weight training which I was adding about 100 calories for but just had a look what CC works it out at and it said 334? I use the machines, not brave enough to enter the free weight area to I'm not sure if that has any bearing on calorie expenditure....I still use as heavy weight as I can manage on every piece of equipment and I can lift a pretty decent amount. I also swim 2-3 times a week, 100 lengths of breast stroke (25m pool). This according to CC burns over 1000 calories.

So....is eating 1600 - 1800 calories a day too little? I also have a cheat meal on a saturday of good old British Fish n Chips and a big chocolate bar :)

If for example I burned 600 calories (give or take considering cardio equipment is not too accurate) plus weight session 334 calories (if this is correct) that would be 934 calories. If I consumed 1800 calories that day does that mean it only leaves me with 866 calories to live on??

As you say, the numbers on gym machines are pretty inaccurate.  If you're doing a lot of activity (more than an hour a day most days) , rather than trying to work it all out individually, just enter your stats as 'moderately' or even 'very active' on the CC calculator.  Then work with that.

Are you trying to lose a lot of weight?

I'm currently between 163 - 165lbs at 5ft1 so yeah....quite a way to go

Asked because the closer you are to a healthy weight, the slower the process becomes. 

With those stats and a moderate to heavy exercise schedule you need between 2500 and 2700 cals a day to maintain your weight.  So for weight-loss you're looking at 1900-2000 as your range. 

If you're going with 1600-1800 all week, unfortunately what might be happening with the fish & chips & chocolate weekend is that your body has got used to eating a lot less and is then grabbing onto the extra calories and storing it as fat.   If you went with 1800 cals a day all week, including the weekend and every other week had a day where you consumed 2500 cals you may see more progress.

Count your calories as accurately as possible.  Weigh and measure everything you eat or drink rather than guessing or accidentally forgetting something.  If you still find you're not losing weight you may need to talk to your doctor.  There are several fairly common medical conditions that make weight-loss more difficult.

So I am undereating a little?

I do struggle with the idea of eating more to lose weight even though I know it works.....still have that little demon on my shoulder from when I was bordering on an ED after starving myself down to 92lbs. Obviously I know now that it doesn't work in the long term cos look at me now....

It's often a case of trial and error....  Eat a little more on a regular basis,  choose healthy wholefoods rather than processed foods,  keep a very accurate check on quantities, drink plenty of fluids and drop the weekend fish/chips/choc experience for a while.  

I think that you are overestimating your exercise calories.  You burn the most amount of calories when you increase the intensity.  Unfortunately, walking doesn't burn many cals.  The cross trainer can, but you have to keep the intensity high and vary it over time - try doing intervals.  Also, I don't think your swimming workouts burn 1000 cals - I would give you half of that so like 500.  Finally, make sure you're counting your food calories accurately.  Weigh the food for a while to get an exact idea of how many calories are in what.

Yeah I use interval training programmes on the cross trainer and really push it with as high resitance as I can manage. On the treadmill I mainly walk but as fast as I possibly can without actually breaking into a run on a steep incline so I do get my heart rate up pretty high. I also try when I can to have intervals of jogging which I'm trying to increase but I'm struggling with a recurring sprained ankle at the minute so taking that slowly. As for the swimming I don't know, I only had what CC told me as a rough estimate.

I know CV equipment is inaccurate but does anyone know generally by how much?

Depends on the machine.  I wear a heartrate monitor that tells me how many calories I burn, and assuming it is correct, the machines at the gym definitely overestimate calories burned.  I have found that the stair climber (not the stair master, but the machine that is basically like walking up an escalator) is the most accurate.  As far as walking or running goes, a good rule of thumb is 100 calories for every mile you go, regardless of your speed.  Depending on how vigorous your weight lifting is, you might burn close to 330 calories in 45 minutes.  But that amount of calories in that amount of time would be very vigorous lifting.  I am guessing the amount you burn when you lift is about 200-250.  That said, lifting is more important for what it does after you are actually done--it causes your body to continue burning more calories throughout the day (about 50-100 more), so keep that in mind.  None of this is an exact science, of course.  If you can afford to buy a heartrate monitor (I believe they're about $125-$175), then you'll have a better idea of your calories burned.  And I think (although I may be mistaken) that you can wear them in the pool too!  Good luck!!  Losing 10 lbs, even slowly, is quite an accomplishment!!!