I'm wondering do people use the calories they earn from exercising. I'm on a 1,200 calorie diet. Yesterday, I gained 600+ from exercising and I was curious to find out do people use the extra calories or should you use them?

I never did, but then again, I never went as low as 1200. If I had, I may have eaten a bit more on days I exercised. Even if I had eaten back exercise calories, I would never eat the number of calories it says I burn on the machines or even other sources that estimate calories burned; they notoriously indicate that we burn more than we actually do (I've read it can be sometimes as much as 20% off).

When I was losing, I ate 1400 per day and I did not add back in exercise calories. I didn't want to associate eating with exercise (although I know, logically, the two are connected to weight loss). In past attempts, whenever I would eat something bad, I would use that as an excuse to throw in the towel with working out as well and vice versa. This time, I didn't want that t happen.

So, in short, since your calorie total is so low, I don't think it would hurt to add 200-300 calories when you've worked out hard as long as you don't succumb to the type of thinking I described above.

I eat between 1500-1700 per day, and don't eat back the calories I burn. I don't connect what I eat to the exercise I do, unless I'm doing a 9 hour hike or something, and then its for fuel.

Thanks guys for your replies! I was wondering should I or not. The 1,200 was recommended as per myfitnesspal so I'm trying to stick to it but I wouldn't be annoyed if I went a little over. Knowing because it's low and could add another 200 - 300 is good! I know I shouldn't be too worried if this happens.

I eat on average what my basal metabolic rate is (about 1,800 calories at the moment, while yours is nearer 1,400), but I don't eat back any exercise calories. It's a good incentive to get moving because every bit of movement brings you closer to weight loss, if you see what I mean. I seem to be losing fairly consistently so far.

I weighed in this morning and lost a pound. I was nearly jumping for joy when I did it. I'm definitely watch that I'm not eating back too many calories, if any at all! Thanks for the reply, Northernrose. Hopefully the rain will calm down later on and I will be able to get out for my walk.