How many calories is simply not enough?

That should say "How many calories ARE simply not enough?" (I changed the topic a ton of times and then got fed up and hit enter, then saw my horrible grammar oops!)

This post does involve the debatable topic of eating back and not eating back our exercise calories. I am aware that this topic is highly debatable and I am open to tips, advice, or personal stories. But, my eyes are closed to reading judgement and criticism.

For approximately two years, off and on, I have been on a 1200-1400 calorie restriction, often times eating back exercise calories. I stayed sooo hungry all the time, and would often binge eat. And of course, pay for it later at the gym. But, somehow I still managed to lose 40 lbs!

I went from 175 - 145. Got stuck there for a while added a calorie increase with strength training and I have since dropped to 135. I have been between 130 & 140 for 10 months! (I even asked my doctor what to do and she was obviously clueless on weight loss and told me I looked fine and to join weight watchers if I wanted to lose more ugh.)

So I have done LOTS of research. I have read both sides of the argument to eat back or not eat back your calories and BOTH sides make total sense to me. My personal understanding is that yes, we should eat back our exercise calories if we are eating a very restricted calorie intake. ALTHOUGH, we should NOT eat back exercise calories if we are allowing our bodies to receive adequate fuel (meaning a small to no calorie restriction.)

As noted above, I have followed option one for so long staying so hungry and often binging more often because I was so hungry all the time. Yes I managed to lose weight this way. However, now that my body is more lean and has less fat (still no where near where I'd like to be though), I'm not losing weight...at all. This link was an eye opener for me as to why and I completely understand it ---> http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/153704-myth-or-fact-simple-math-3500-calories-one-pound-eat

So, I'm trying option two. To fuel my body adequately and efficiently and NOT eat back my exercise calories. I'm hoping it will help me push through this dreadful plateau. As well as some nutritional changes I am beginning to make. (I have found that by making one small change at a time it helps me stick to everything. I eat completely different from the way I did two years ago, completely different from the way I did a year ago, and there is still improvement to be made)

I have since increased my calorie intake to about 1600 (which for me is active level losing .5 lb a week) I am not logging my exercise as I don't feel I need a surplus eating 1600 a day. I'm hoping this will fuel my body efficiently for exercise but still maintain a deficit to lose.

We will see! In the meanwhile, I open to suggestions and/or personal stories. (If you don't want to post due to the highly debatable topic I'm also open to messages as well)

Note: I am 5'1" I weigh 135 lbs. I do not know my body fat % I am too chicken **** to find out because I'm sure it's high, as I am not as lean as I would like to be. And yes, I do cardio and strength train throughout the week with various programs.

Thanks!!!

Casey