^this. I lost >160 lbs (and have kept it off for years) by counting calories. My wife has lost 50 lbs by count calories. I have another relative who lost 175 lbs by keeping a strict keto diet. She's kept the wait off for years. I have yet another relative who lost ~70 lbs eating something akin to a whole food diet, and has put all the weight back on. My takeaway is that all of these diets work, but it comes down to compliance and sustainability. So do whatever you'd like as long as you can adhere to it, and keep at it. A lot of people are able to lose weight, and then gain it all back shortly afterwards.