Net Calories Vs Total Calories

Net. You can eat the calories you burned off! That's why it is so great!

Read this...
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/975025-in-place-of-a-road-map-short-n-sweet?hl=short+sweet+<span class=

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1175494-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

You may even be able to eat more than 1200...

Read these, see about what your BMR and TDEE is. Go somewhere in between there.

MFP way - always eat exercise calories back.
TDEE way - you eat a set amount every day, you do not eat your exercise calories back.

MFP calculates the amount of calories you need for daily life (not including exercise). Then it takes a flat rate number of calories off of that number depending on how many pounds per week you say you want to lose. For 2 pounds per week, it deducts 1,000 calories per day, for 1 pound per week it deducts 500 calories, etc. But to a minimum of 1,200 calories per day.

Notice above, I said that the number does not include exercise. This is so that you would lose weight if you could not do any exercise. When you do exercise, you need more fuel for that, this is why it adds calories when you log your exercise.

Example:

1200 (the amount MFP tells you to eat)
-300 (the amount you burned in exercise)
+300 (the amount more you eat for exercise)
=1200 NET calories but you actually ate 1500 Total calories

NOW please note that if you chose to lose 2 pounds per week, that is probably not reasonable or sustainable. 1200 might not be the right amount for you.