> count your calories
That's all it really is. Everything else just makes it easier to eat few enough calories, including any crazy diets.
That's all it really is. Everything else just makes it easier to eat few enough calories, including any crazy diets.
Find a lifestyle that lets you eat few enough calories. If that's low-carb, then go for it. If that's counting calories and just eating less, go for it.
When I was losing weight, I realized that certain foods made me feel more full per calorie (vegetables). Then I realized that drinking was using up a huge part of my calorie allotment. Then I realized that if I run then I can eat more. Everything was just to make it easier to eat few enough calories, and it happened to all make me healthier too.
I'm not claiming its easy, but it's true.
But even if you only do it for a few weeks, you'll learn valuable lessons about your good and bad habits. You might not ever have to do it again. Or you might prefer to keep doing it. YMMV.