Upping net cals & zig zagging

I've been at a plateau for like 3 or 4 weeks. Also think I may be in starvation mode--as I was trying to push my body to lose too much too fast. Realized this recently that it wasn't healthy to deficit 700-1000 cals a day when I'm only trying to lose about 7-8 more lbs (think I may have gained 1 or 2 back last Fri/Sat when I was away and not being careful). It made me realize how quick it was for me to gain back weight if I even just ate what was supposed to be maintenance without working out. So, I've been trying to up my calories and reduce deficit. How slowly do you think I should do this? I've averaged netting around 900 for the last 5 to 6 weeks and would obviously like to get up to about 1200, and maybe even a little bit higher to 0.5-1 lb a week loss. I don't really want to gain the weight that I lost (probably about 5 lbs total) back, but if that's what I have to do to get it to keep coming off, I'll do it.

Also, has anyone used zig zagging or cheat days to break through a plateau? I've thought about this as well. When you have one of your higher calorie days, how much higher do you go? Or on your cheat days, how much higher do you go? Once I realized that I had likely been putting my body in starvation mode, even though I was really trying not to do that, I just ate a lot for the sake of giving my body enough fuel today. But I was out at the beach, didn't work out, and ended up eating probably about 1,500. A lot of that was in decently healthy/nutritious food though. I know this cal limit is below my maintenance (which is about 1780), but I think at the rate I've been going, that will cause me to gain weight.

I'm so frustrated. This is exactly what I didn't want to do. I wanted it to be sustainable. But once the first few pounds came off, I got addicted and did not want to see the weight come back if I changed my ways. But I've accepted I've got to suck it up and just do it if I want this to last.