“There’s a common misconception that exercise is going to make you eat more at the next meal,” says David Broom, professor in the Centre for Sport, Exercise and Life Sciences at Coventry University in England.

“A colleague once told me, ‘I’m only walking at two miles an hour because I’m burning more fat that way,’” recalls John Porcari, professor of exercise and sport science at the University of Wisconsin−La Crosse.

“Following the workout, as your body recovers, your metabolism stays elevated so you’re continuing to burn more calories and more fat hours after the workout is over,” claims an Orangetheory Fitness.com video.

Your fitness tracker, treadmill, or stationary bike can estimate the calories you burn. Just don’t put too much stock in those numbers.

When people exercise, they often don't lose as much weight as scientists expect. Why?