Where's the calorie deficit in exercise?

successgal1

I exercise for shape, fitness and so i can treat myself with food. I'm not sure where you read not to eat back your calories, or to eat them all back. I usually see to eat all but 200 or 300 back. I find it extremely restrictive to stay at 1200. I get hungry. Perhaps its my level of activity or stress at work. I have been yoyoing my entire life and I now realize that its been too much restrictions of my food choices, too much of denying myself food after working out, and the fact I eat when stressed that has made me unable to maintain weight loss. I now get the concept that I should eat back SOME of the calories burned in exercise, that fat and dairy are OK while "dieting " and its just all about calories in and out. I'm losing weight, and I'm not feeling deprived and starved. I don't know how hard you're working out and yet not feeling hungry, but I'm a bit jealous.