'Burning' questions answered

This article in Men's Journal, offers a non-traditional way of looking at exercise and burning calories. The general theory is that you lose a pound when you burn 3,700 calories (which is the equivalent). But if you work out like a madman, only to pig out afterward, and/or collapse on the couch, you defeat the purpose. And you might not get around to doing other calorie-burning activities you would normally do (such as walking the dog), because you're so pooped from the workout.
Just so you know, Internet, I am preaching to the choir that includes myself. Like a friend of mine says about himself, I work out partly so I can eat like I do.