Current Events > I don't understand the calories in calories out explanation

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So as a male if I eat say 1800 calories a day, am I only supposed to burn a certain amount or else my body will go into starvation mode? Like if I burned 600 working out wouldnt I be at 1200 calories and not lose weight? What if I was eating 1200 a day (I am) and burned 1200 a day. Would I be in danger?

Yes Im dumb when it comes to nutrition and have myfitnesspal give me limits on my goals daily. I usually lose 10lbs after a couple months doing that but dont gain any muscle and usually gain it back fast. So idk what Im doing. If I eat more Ill gain weight. If I exercise Ill feel like Im starving lol.

Your body passively utilizes a certain amount of calories just by existing. That's your BMR. BMR + calories actively burned - calories consumed = net calories. negative net calories = lose weight, positive net calories = gain weight

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Yes Im dumb when it comes to nutrition and have myfitnesspal give me limits on my goals daily

FYI, the LoseIt app is a better shout nowadays because it didn't lock the barcode scanner behind a ludicrously stupid premium subscription.

Your body expends x amount of calories a day just to perform basic survival functions. Regulate body temp, contract muscles (especially your heart), and general cell division and tissue growth/repair.

how much x is varies from person to person but is in a general window based on age, sex, and other genetic factors. On top of this is y, the energy (calories) you expend doing things. Mostly moving, but also thinking to an extent.

Let's call how many calories you consume in a day z. If x + y = z, then your body is at an energy equilibrium of sorts.

If x + y < z, then you're expending less energy than you're taking in. Your body will store that excess energy as fat, causing weight gain.

and if x + y > z, then you're expending more energy than you're taking in. Your body will then tap into its reserve energy, which includes fat, which can lead to weight loss.

You'll often hear between 1500-2500 calories as how much a person expends naturally, not counting movement, exercise, or other activity. The actual number varies from person to person based on mainly genetic factors. You shouldn't try to burn that much energy in a day, nor should you starve yourself.