Is WHEN you burn calories as/more important than HOW MANY you burn?

After having read quite a bit of conflicting advice on calorie burning, I'm a little confused as to which is more important.

For example, I've read that you should eat AFTER you've exercised, because your body is still in calorie-burning mode and will continue burning at a higher rate.  HOWEVER, I've operated under the mindset of eating, then exercising, thinking that I'm burning what I've eaten (to a degree).

In other words, if I burn 700 calories at 9pm after I'm done eating for the day, am I wasting my time and better served working out earlier?

Am I all wet?  What's the best way to maximize/balance eating and exercising to burn calories? 

Honestly, both theories are out there - that you should exercise before eating, and that you should eat first.  I believe that current information is suggesting that midday is the peak time for most people, because you're likely to have more energy at that time of day and work harder, therefore burning more.

BUT... really, the difference is probably not that much.  Everyone has a preference, and the important thing is to do it at a time when you know you WILL do it, rather than trying to force yourself.  If it's not a comfortable time for you, you'll balk, grow to hate it, and/or start skipping it.  And you won't burn any calories at all that way.

It's a simple concept, don't try to make it hard.  Each day you need to burn more calories than you consume thereby forcing your body to burn fat to cover the deficit.  When you eat and when you exercise is unimportant, do whatever suits you best.  What is important is consistency.  In order to maximize your success you need a calorie deficit every day.  And also make sure you are eating enough to control your hunger, many people sabotage their efforts by eating too little especially if they are also exercising.

Eh, at some point it's best to just use common sense. Exercise = good. Eating healthy food = good. Don't worry too much about it! As long as you combine the two appropriately, you'll lose weight. Though if you do really intense cardio or weights, it's recommend having a small snack after for recovery purposes. Something with protein and carbs. I like a glass of milk. But yeah, there's so much conflicting info out there! Good luck! :)

Yeah, you guys/girls are right.  I'm overthinking it as usual.  Thanks for the reminder to chill out and keep plugging away.

Doesn't seem like it makes that much difference if you eat immediately before or after exercise.  Your digestive system doesn't process the food as soon as you eat it. It takes a while to absorb the nutrients in the food you eat. 

Another example would be:  food is not like gasoline in your car where it is used as soon as you fill your tank, it has to be refined first.