Do I have to consume the calories I burn from exercising?

Prdrdgurl

Hehe. I'm not sure if I phrased the question correctly. My apologies.

If I burn 600 calories a day when I go to the gym, do I have to eat 600 calories worth of food so my body's metabolism doesn't slow down & to make up for what I burned?

Also, If I consume a treat, such as a snickers bar, and it's within my calorie deficit, should I still lose weight?

I'm getting close to experimenting with that one(chooooocolate, hehe). If anyone has insight from their own indulgence experience, I'd appreciate it.

Much love!

kgraham101

I tried not eating my exercise calories back and found that first I lost muscle, then I started gaining fat. I always eat my exercise calories now. I also eat sweets as long as I don't over do it and I figure them into my daily calories. If I don't allow myself the sweets I am craving once in a while I tend to slip in my daily struggle to keep my weight down.

Prdrdgurl

Aww man! Thank you so much for your help! I will make sure I indulge here and there, and ill eat more fruit to replace my calories lost during exercise.