Short answer: no. Hoot does not automatically adjust your daily calorie target based on how many calories you burn.
How Hoot Sets Your Calorie Target
When you set up your plan, Hoot calculates your daily calorie target using your body stats, your goal (lose, maintain, or gain), and your general activity level. Your activity level is factored into the math upfront -- so your target already accounts for how active you typically are.
Why Hoot Doesn't Adjust for Daily Burn
Some apps use an "eat-back" model where your calorie budget increases on days you exercise more. Hoot intentionally doesn't do this, for a few reasons:
Calorie burn estimates are unreliable. Wearables and activity trackers can overestimate calories burned by 20-50% or more. Eating back those calories often leads to slower progress or unintentional overeating.
Consistency is easier to stick with. A steady daily target is simpler to build a habit around than a number that shifts every day based on your workout.
Your activity level is already built in. When you selected your activity level during setup, Hoot used that to set a target that reflects your typical day -- not just your sedentary baseline.
So Why Show Calories Burned at All?
Even though Hoot doesn't use it to change your target, seeing your activity data is still valuable. It helps you:
Understand the full picture of your energy balance
Stay motivated to move on low-activity days
Notice patterns over time between activity and how you feel
Think of it as context, not a permission slip to eat more.
What If I'm Very Active and Need More Fuel?
If you're training hard, doing endurance sports, or feeling consistently underfueled, you can manually adjust your calorie target at any time in Settings > Daily Plan. We'd also recommend talking to a healthcare provider or registered dietitian if you're regularly burning a significant number of calories through exercise and want to dial in your nutrition.
Can This Change in the Future?
We're always listening to feedback. If you'd like to see an optional eat-back feature, let us know at support@hootfitness.com -- your input shapes what we build next.