Something I have seen in a lot of replies is "find a diet that works for you..." BS. Diets don't work. I know, I'm crazy because people loose weight on diets, so I'm wrong, right? Diets don't work because they are a temporary fix. The permanent fix is a lifestyle change.
You need to eat human food. The crap you buy in the markets/stores is packed with preservatives, dyes, junk. We have been trained that fat is the enemy. Ask those same people what your brain is made of and what it uses for energy... Here is a clue, cholesterol is the food. You know, the thing that is killing everyone according to the doctors of today.
I'm not going to sit here and tell you that I'm a David Goggins or some muscle brained body builder. I'm 6'5, currently 300lbs. Former military and former police. During my "fighting weight" days, I was 230-250 lbs. Sitting behind a desk has killed me. I have done a lot of research on stuff and found that pretty much all the things doctors and dieticians tell you to do is the opposite. They are paid by big pharma who don't get paid if you are healthy. Been to the VA and all they want to do is shove pills down my throat to fix everything.
I have started "being a man" again. I now make most all my own food. I try to shoot as much of it myself as I can (I love to hunt). My wife and I grind our own flour for bread, the horrible thing that is killing you in the store. Homemade bread is super healthy for you when you grind your own flour. I grind my own pork to make sausage, brats, snack sticks, hot dogs, whatever else I want. I grind my own beef for hamburger. I quit buying store bought burger and buy straight from farmers and have local shops butcher for me (trying to get a big enough place to do that myself next). The difference will shock you, in flavor and quality of meat.
As for training, I have started getting my fat ass out of bed early in the morning. I used to work swing shift as a cop, so early morning was not my thing, never has been. But waking up early allows me to lift weight in the morning. I have found taking a pre-workout does give me better results, that's up to you. I can't say it's the most healthy option, but its up to you. Stop hitting the snooze button! That's been my hard thing to get past. But I found my day starts a lot better and goes a lot better when I get up and get moving right away. I try to walk instead of ride places, just be a little more active each day. I have never been a cardio guy, it's never worked for me. I always liked lifting weights though. When I was deployed, I weighted about 250lb and was running reps of 300lb on the bench. But looking at me, you never would have guessed. I still had a 38-40 inch waist, just a big dude.
I have also started doing intermittent fasting. You have to ease into it though. Start with a 12 hour fast, then 24 hour, then 36 hour. I try to do a 72 hour fast every other month. Some people think it works, I'm one of them. My gut isn't "swollen" anymore and I don't crave junk like I used to.
You need to find the motivation that works for you. For me, it's getting in shape so I'm actually as strong as I think I am. How many guys think they can beat everyone ass? I'm one of them. But I want to be able to back it up if necessary. Obviously there is a lot more to that, but you get my drift. One thing that has helped me is Ronnie Coleman. 3 little words... LIGHT WEIGHT BABY!!!!!
The biggest question you need to answer; Why are you doing this? What is your motivation? Loosing weight isn't going to be enough, hitting a waistline goal isn't enough. WHY do you want this? For me, it's so I can be the badass dad and protect my little girls from anyone or anything that may cause them harm. To be the badass husband that can protect my wife from anyone or anything that may harm her. I want to be the monster I know I can be to protect the ones I love.
I don't think diets work, changing your lifestyle does. Eat NATURAL foods. Steak, pork, veggies, homemade stuff without preserves and limited sugar. You will feel better and be better.