Net calories?

Clairecottam30

Hi everyone. Im new to the app and don't quite understand net calories. I'm on 1200 day. Yesterday my calorie intake was 1177 and my net was 1066. Is that good? I've also had a really low one a week or so ago where I only consumed 957 and my net was 524. I have a read a bit about it and it says if its minus then I'm in calorie deficit but mine doesn't have a minus next to it.
When im at work i walk about 11k - 15k steps a day so i always burn alot of calories which i havent been eating back. I have lost weight so I must be doing something right. I'm now off work for 2 weeks so I'm not burning those calories. Do I still only eat 1200 a day and will I continue to loose weight?

Lietchi

(Copy-paste of my answer on your double post in the other part of the boards )

Net calories is your intake taking into account your exercise/activity.

Your calorie goal already includes a calorie deficit if you selected a weight loss rate, so the goal is to keep your net intake the same as your goal (1200 in your case).

For example, if someone's goal is 2000 calories based on activity level sedentary, but then they exercise for 250 calories, the exercise increases their calorie goal to 2250 to reach the deficit they asked for (the weight loss rate they selected).
If they only eat 1750 calories, their net calorie intake is 1500 calories (intake of 1750 minus 250 exercise calories).

1200 is already a low goal (MFP will never give a goal lower than that for women) so try to keep your net calories around that. Net 524 per day is way too low (starving yourself) unless your exercise/activity calories are very wrong/exaggerated.