I've done this a lot and I still do. I think it could have something to do with a perfectionist mentality. Wanting to eat just so, eating too little and then feeling like it's all too much of a burden to carry for a given amount of time.
I think it helps to give yourself a range with the calories. I have days when I need to go a lot higher so I'll let myself go up to 1600 or even 1700 calories, but the key is for me to keep on tracking and keep on feeling like I'm still on track. I need to feel in control.
I also get not wanting to change your ticker. It's hard to go in that direction. The good news is that if you can figure out what your pattern is and what you can do to break it, then you can make that ticker go in the other direction again.
For me, it helps to have a few good days under my belt before I do an official weigh in. As cliche as it may sound, I think it helps to just take it one day at a time.