So FULL

Ok, I see now, you eat around 1500 so that's a deficit for sure, your carbs seem high, almost 300g a day, not that it's a bad thing in itself but could you be feeling bloated?

Pants seem tighter and scale says bigger numbers..

The next morning after you've gone to the restroom, or are you talking about immediately after meals?

When do you weight yourself? How often? What does the trend line look like?

Are you estimating your portions, or do you use a food scale?

ETA: I also wouldn't worry too much about sugar.

Usually in the morning after I go to the bathroom. Could it be the sugar?

Both your protein and fat intake are low. I wouldn't focus on sugar so much as focusing on getting enough protein and fat.

Are you weighing your food portions? Not measuring, but weighing?

How much do you weigh, what is your height, and how much are you trying to lose?

Right off the bat I see your carbs are high and your proteins are low. Then I looked a bit back into your diary. Some weekends you don't log at all. End of July/Beginning of August you were doing alot of quick added calories, which makes me wonder how you're adding your portions. Are you eyeballing it or are you using a food scale? A food scale will give you a more accurate reading for your calorie intake. You'd be surprised how off eyeballing is.

Also, in July, and even in some in August, I see you've been undercutting your calories. In July, it was alot. Meaning, you weren't even netting the bare minimum of 1200 calories. You need to really work on that.

And lastly, weight loss is not linear... some days will be up, some will be down, and some there'll be no change at all. Maybe you should stop weighing daily and go for weekly instead. Stop worrying over the scale. The weight will come off whether you weigh yourself or not.

I used to under eat alot and realized how it was harmful to my well-being. I now try to eat back all my exercise calories but stay under what MFP says so that i can lose 1 pound a week. Ever since upping my calories i have gained back almost all the pounds i lost by eating 1200 calories or under and i do measure my portions with measuring cups.

Get a food scale, measuring cups are at best an estimation....... Food scale is 20 bucks and worth every penny.....

Right now i am 5'6 and i weight 136 pounds my goal is to be around 125 - 120, but mainly to see muscle definition, whatever weight that may be.

Okay.

Would you consider a weight lifting program? Perhaps another strength training approach like a serious body weight regime? You will need to reduce body fat while maintaining your lean body mass and that occurs through a combination of resistance training and getting enough protein.

Look to get around 1 gram of protein per pound of lean body mass, and 0.35 grams of fat per pound of total body weight. Work to get your protein from whole food sources such as dairy, fish, tofu, and meat. Supplement only as necessary. Try to get plenty of healthy fats from olive oil, coconut oil, nuts and nut butters, and avocados. Don't be afraid of full fat dairy and whole eggs either.

ETA: Buy a food scale and use it as everyone is saying.

You really need a food scale you cant measure meat with measuring cups. That is if you want to be accurate. perhaps also try drinking more water and watching sodium intake, and weighing yourself once a week on the scale. Your carbs are a little high not a bad thing but you could decrease them some and increase protein.

Right now i am 5'6 and i weight 136 pounds my goal is to be around 125 - 120, but mainly to see muscle definition, whatever weight that may be.

Okay.

Would you consider a weight lifting program? Perhaps another strength training approach like a serious body weight regime? You will need to reduce body fat while maintaining your lean body mass and that occurs through a combination of resistance training and getting enough protein.

This too. I recommend Stronglifts 5x5

I usually do 50 min. of pilates with 20 minutes on the elliptical. I didn't realize how inaccurate the measuring cups were! I will try to also incorporate exercise with free weights. One more question, is the weight that i have gained fat, or water? Thanks for all the replies so far i really appreciate it!

If it came on overnight and then goes down it's most likely water. If it creeps up gradually it's more likely fat. The best way to tell is to watch the trend over time.

I usually do 50 min. of pilates with 20 minutes on the elliptical. I didn't realize how inaccurate the measuring cups were! I will try to also incorporate exercise with free weights. One more question, is the weight that i have gained fat, or water? Thanks for all the replies so far i really appreciate it!

At this point, I'm leaning more towards the probability that you've been over-estimating your portions and it's a true gain mixed with a bit of water retention. Could be wrong though... No worries, it takes a while to find the right way of doing it that works for you. It'll get easier.

I usually do 50 min. of pilates with 20 minutes on the elliptical. I didn't realize how inaccurate the measuring cups were! I will try to also incorporate exercise with free weights. One more question, is the weight that i have gained fat, or water? Thanks for all the replies so far i really appreciate it!

It's hard to tell, to be honest. It probably is a little bit of both.

If you want good starting lifting programs, try "Starting Strength," "Strong Lifts 5 x 5," or "The New Rules of Lifting for Women."

All of this too.

Be forewarned that starting a lifting program will make your muscles retain water for repairs.

^ All of this. Definitely do not get frustrated if you see some puffiness the first few weeks of lifting. It will most assuredly go away with time and you will slim down.

I will look into the strength training programs and the weight has come on gradually over the 2 months i have upped my calorie intake so it is probably fat, sadly

You have a wonderful canvas to work with...dont fret...you are young...I wish I had started at your age.

http://startingstrength.wikia.com/wiki/The_Starting_Strength_Novice/Beginner_Programs