TDEE help me understand it please!

Happyme2009

So I keep reading that to lose weight I should eat TDEE-20%. Fine, I got it calculated at 2140. Including my 5 days a week exercise.
2140 - 20% = 2140 - 438 = 1712
The TDEE was calculated according to the fact that I go to gym 5 times a week, so I am a quite active.
NOW PLEASE MAKE IT CLEAR TO ME>>>>>
the 1712 calories are NET calories that should be eaten or no? Do I add and eat my calories burnt from exercise or not???
Because I usually burn about 700-800 cals in the gym, about 5 times a week.
And I eat about 1700-2000 cals a day, but minus my gym burnt calories I am trying to stat close to NET 1200 cals a day.
Still I lost the first 10 lbs very easy the first month, and struggling only about 4 - 5 more the second month.
I still have another 12 lbs to lose.
Help please....

catrunsintowindow

If you're using TDEE - 20%, the TOTAL calories you are eating is 1712.

If you're using the MFP method, you eat a NET of 1200 calories (or whatever number you have chosen).

You don't do both of them at once.

Happyme2009

thank you.... in the end, the numbers seem very similar....:)