Is there something wrong with me? Help!

Any advice on this would be hugely appreciated.  I don't mean to be whiny but I have been stuck at about 135 lbs for 2 months.   Sometimes I even see the scale jump back up to 137 (in the morning, before eating anything), but I have never seen it go lower than 134.6.  I am eating between 1200 and 1800 calories a day, depending on how much exercise I get in.  My exercise plan is as follows: 45-60 min of cardio (jogging, running, treadclimber machine etc.) 4 or 5 times a week, burning between 300 and 600 calories each time.  And in addition to cardio I have been doing a 90 minute total body strength training workout 3 times a week (the intermediate one on about.com).  This includes squats, lunges, deadlifts, abs, and arms.  I've moved up to 10 lb weights for my arms and 20 lbs for squats and deadlifts.

I really feel as though I am working hard.  My deficit each day is between 500 and 1000.  I feel better, but don't understand why the scale won't budge.  By the way I am 28, female, and 5'3.  And I started off at 140 on June 18.  So I've only lost 5lbs (at best) in 2.5 months.  I thought I'd be down by 8lbs or more by now.

Should I be concerned?  Should I see a nutritionist or a doctor?  Am I just meant to be 135 lbs forever?  Is there such a thing as a body essentially saying "Nope.  This is where I'm gonna stay no matter what you do"?  Help!

how about some basic info on you. HOw old are you? Male or female? how tall?

Sometimes you need to switch things up a bit to break a plateau.

WHat I've done to break the plateaus I've been on is take a maintenance week where I also take a break from exercise. Then I change up my workout routine (keeps the body guessing) and get back to restricting calories.

First - make sure you activity level is set at sedentary before you log your exercise, this will give you a more accurate burn number.

Then, make sure you've calculated your calorie allowance number off the sedentary activity level too.

It is recommended that you change your workout routine every 8 weeks or so. Otherwise, your body will figure out a way to do the same old routine while burning less calories. (your body adapts).

Hope this helps.

ANd no matter what, don't give up. I once was plateau'd for 6 months.

By the way I am 28, female, and 5'3.  And I started off at 140 on June 18.  So I've only lost 5lbs (at best) in 2.5 months.  I thought I'd be down by 8lbs or more by now.

I do set my activity level to sedentary and I log every exercse based on what my heart rate monitor tells me. 

:( :( :(

Why not take some friends and go on a weekend hike. Walk 40 miles, then see what your weight is after a great weekend away.

Maybe your body needs a bit of a shock, like some really intense exercise. And make sure not to eat extra!

Reset your exercise level to 'very active'.... and work from there.  The reason being that the amount of exercise you do not only burns calories at the time but will also raise your resting metabolism.  So sedentary + exercise isn't an accurate picture.   You are most likely burning a huge amount more than you think and therefore undereating as a result.

When I start to plateau I eat a lot of calories one day and very little the next for a few days.  That usually breaks it.  Like 2500, 1200, 2200, 1500, 1200, then the weight starts dropping again.

Thanks for the advice all!

gijane: This is the first I've heard of your suggestion.  Everyone else on here says to do the opposite.  What gives?