May be a dumb question

ryanh89

but what is the difference between deficit and maintenance level?

Deipneus

but what is the difference between deficit and maintenance level?

Deficit level is eating fewer calories than you burn. This causes weight loss. Once you are at goal, you want to consume more food as measured in calories so to neither gain nor lose weight. That's maintenance.

Cliffslosinit

Deficit is eating below what it takes to maintain your current weight.
Maintenance is just that.
Eat the amount of calories you need to maintain where you are at.