Frustrated and Confused...

OK, I have been at what I call a plateau for the past 8 months with a total weight loss during this time of 14 pounds. I have been told this is a "safe" loss and I am doing this the right way. I have been told that maybe I am just predisposed to being overweight (fat) and there is nothing I can really do to lose any more weight. I have been told that I am in a good but vulnerable position where I could start gaining again if I am not careful so continue doing what I am doing and do not worry about losing any more weight. The plain and simple fact is that I refuse to really accept any of this information. This is where my frustration resides.

Where do I go from here and what do I do next? I have reading about TDEE (Total daily energy expenditure) and this is even more confusing. This information is based off of a formula, The Harris-Benedict Equation that estimates your BRM (Basil Metabolic Rate) and daily caloric requirements depending on your daily energy level. At my current weight of 284, this is what this principle is telling me to eat every day exercising at a moderate level, 3-5 days a week (I am really at 6 days a week): 3301 calories. This sounds crazy to me. There is no way I can eat that much!

My BMR is 2404. That is the amount of calories my body requires if I lay still for 24 hours and do nothing but breath and function. According to all of this information, you should never eat below your BMR. My current caloric intake is around 1800 calories a day. I was basically told today that this TDEE information is a bunch of hype and really is not accurate. I asked the question of how accurate the calorie expenditure is on the cardio machines at the gym and was also told that these are not really accurate, just a general ball park figure. So when I did 90 minutes of the Cybex Arc Trainer and it said I burned 2400 calories, that was just a bunch of whoooo-ha? My Fitness Pal also gives similar statements when I add information from May My Walk and other apps. So all-in-all, I am just confused and frustrated.

So I am in search of more information and answers. In the mean time, I will continue my eating and work out regime each and every day and hope for the best. There is no way I am giving up this fight!