How much excercise is "healthy"?

Diet is 80% of weight loss - how many calories are you eating? Are you weighing/measuring all of your foods? How many carbohydrates are you taking in? You could look into different dieting methods to help you lose that weight.. Low-carb, slow-carb, 4-hour body, clean eating, paleo, etc etc.. there are lots out there And they're not all just "fads", they're sustainable methods of eating.. Just stick with a good diet and you should see the weight drop

As far as exercise goes, maybe cut the cardio down to 30 minutes and do another 10-15 minutes of strength training? I know cardio is important, but I'm pretty sure 30 minutes is enough and that the strength training is 'more important'.. learn some mat exercises if the machines get too boring (I know I get bored of them pretty fast)

There are lots of things you can try to get past the 170 mark. Also, I often hit a new 'low' like your 168lb but it'll go back up, and then down, and then up, then maybe down and down.. our weight fluctuates often with our cycles and hydration levels :S Oh the joys of being a lady!

How much weight have you lost already? You could be at a plateau which I got before every 10lbs and then all the sudden the weight would drop again. About two yrs ago, I was working out 7 days a week but after about 6 months I fell out and couldnt keep up with it. Is your sodium high? Could be retaining water? Are you drinking alot of water? Sorry for all the questions... I think 5 days is good. I usually work out 5 days a week now!

I used to wonder this as well. I workout 6-7 days a week. Switching it up at every instance I can.

I have people who tell me I exercise too much... but if I don't see a problem with it, then why should they.

I like to sweat. I like to feel good. I think if it becomes a problem you would know it.

more muscle burns more fat.....I would try to increase your strength training and mixing it up. Your body will get accustomed to the same ol' same ol' and quit responding as well. If you mix it up you are constantly keeping your body "confused" for lack of a better term. Have you tried any sort of curcuit training? It's a GREAT way to get both cardio and strength training in one.

Maybe check out this link
http://www.fitness-nutrition-weightloss.com/too-much-cardio-can-make-you-fat.html

Might I also add I don't neccessarily agree with the "too much cardio can make you fat"....it's just information = )

I am 5'1" and started this journey at 168 and now down to 141 and have a desk job.

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I only do cardio 2x a week but a high intensity --burns more calories for less time. I did spin classes for about 5 weeks and lost some weight while watching what I eat. Then I started doing weight training 4x week with carh to only 2x week. My strength training are always supersets, circuits, or pyramids with light weights. I have seen more changes in my body with the strength training than the 5 weeks of constant cardio. Also- I started eating really clean and eating 6 small meals every 2-3 hours, plus no carbs after meals 3-6.

Hope this helps. Just remember that everyone is different and yo have to find what works for your body.

Try upping your calorie intake to 1500. That helped me alot

Based on your diary this week, I'd say you are stuck b/c you aren't eating enough. You hover around 1000-1200 net cals a day. You aren't tall but you aren't exceptionally short either so the 1200 cal minimum for the average person should be about right for you. With all your exercise, your body needs fuel to feed the muscles you are developing that will help you burn *more* cals call day long (even at your desk). If you don't give your body enough energy, it will hold tight to the stored energy it does have. So eat a bit more to lose weight... maybe net around 1300 cal. You may see a bit of gain for a week, then it should start moving down again.

Here are some other posts recently about what might be going on for people who are plateauing.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/227822-caloric-deficit
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/226956-the-paths-to-weight-loss-my-journey-your-choice

I also vote for eating more, and cutting out some of the processed foods like snack packs, frozen meals and white bread. I switched to Aunt Millie's Whole Wheat Slimwiches at 90 calories. Also, are you adding any mayo or anything to your sandwiches or anything else that is unaccounted for in your diary?

The quality of the food you are eating could probably be improved (I glanced at the last few weeks of your diary). Upping the amount of fresh fruits and vegetables, replacing all "white" bread with whole grain, and replacing your snacks with more healthy options might help. For example, instead of a Pringles 100 calorie snack pack, how about a yogurt, an apple with peanut butter, or cheese stick, all of which have more nutritional value and sustenance than the chips (feed your body with the good stuff!).

Hope this helps. Your workouts sound great! Keep it up!