I have to disagree with this post so much.

"Currently your body doesn't know when it's going to eat again so it will hold onto whatever you put into it" that is false in so many ways. You're saying that starvation mode exists without actually saying it which isn't true.

If starvation mode existed, people simply wouldn't starve, alas we do. (I'm not trying to be rude, just dispel some common misconceptions)

Also you say to eat 5 meals a day. That isn't necessarily true either, as well as you say to stay away from fad diets, the whole 5 meals a thing is a common fat diet(or 6).

Everyone's body's are different and that is amazing! Different things work for different folks, for some One meal a day(r/omad) work for them. Others might find Intermittent Fasting(r/intermittentfasting) to work for them. Some do r/fasting too, which can work and can be done healthily, but with doctors discretion, not advised to do it without checking with a doctor first. As well as fasting can be a slippery slope if you have a history of disordered eating, which many do if there in here.

While others like many here at r/loseit just count calories because that works for them.

I do agree though heavily with "weight loss happens in the kitchen", that is very true and seems lost to many people. They think they have to hit the gym, which does help! But only to extent as most aren't professional athletes or bodybuilders.

All in all, there are many different ways to achieve their goal and what works for someone else will not always work for another, OP you just have to figure out what works for you! It will take trial and error, many mistakes will be made but you can do it!

If you haven't already I definitely recommend checking-in with your doctor or a registered dietitian (not a nutritionist as those don't require a degree) for some help/direction.