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The Burn Meter shows you the number of calories that your body burns as the day goes on.  The calories increase with each passing minute only to start a new day at 12:00 AM.  The calorie number is derived from the demographic information and activity level you provided when you joined Calorie Count.  It ticks away all day long because 70% of the calories you burn are for your basal metabolic rate (BMR), which accounts for your heart beat, body heat, growth and repair, etc.  BMR differs among individuals based on their age, height, weight, and gender.  The rest of your calorie requirements are based on the activity level you set at the start.  If you have more activity on a given day, you can add it to your exercise log and the Burn Meter will pro-rate it.