Burn meter and deficits--I am confused!!!!!!

I am 26 yrs, 121lbs, 5 '3 ft. My burn meter reads 1600 (sedentary), my daily calorie target is 1200. I am trying to lose weight to 115. If I exercise the equivalent of 500 calories, do I have to increase my calorie intake because is I subtract 500, that leaves me with 700 which is below the required minimum. Am I getting the maths right?

If you increase your activity so that you're burning roughly 2100 in a day then you should increase your calorie intake in proportion and so that the gap isn't too wide.  On days when you exercise, you could increase your intake from 1200 to 1600, for example.   If you exercise madly but left your intake at 1200 you'd find you quickly ran out of steam.  Long-term if you need 2100 and only take in 1200 then you are 'starving' and your metabolism is likely to shut down.

Personally, I find it's more effective to keep to a steady food intake... say 1400-1500 every day... whether exercising or not.  I find it easier to have a consistent amount of food and balance things out over a week rather than follow the ups and downs of each individual day.  Best of luck.

Hi gi-jane,

Thanks for your replies. It is reassuring because I wouldn't want my body to have tyo maintain so much weight on so little calories. I try to be consistent also although sometimes I get to about 1300 or thereabouts. Sometimes I even wonder whether I am counting my calories well especially when I am not getting the hoped-for results. But I try to make allowances in case I am not counting well.