Total Calories

Do we need to reach a Total of prescribed calories that the app recommends after exercise or do we need to break even With amount of calories exercised or does the number consumed calories have to be less than the number from my Fitbit? Help me here because from losing 10lbs In the first week I’m slowly picking up. I live quite an active lifestyle on some days but others not so I’m not sure where I need to hit my target? Is it total calories per day AFTER exercise that I need to maintain or does that number need to be negative?