The only thing that matters when it comes to weight loss is calories in vs calories out.
This is the hill I'm prepared to die on here on MN over & over again. 😀
It's not that simple. Though you're not incorrect.
For some people that will work fine, for weight loss (though health is another matter again).
For many others it won't. Our bodies are complex machines. We are designed to be active, to move, to expend energy lifting heavy stuff (sort of).
Genetics & just who we are, matter.
It's a fact though that exercising improves our metabolic rate, and allows us to continue burning more calories beyond the exercise itself.
It's a fact that building muscle mass - through exercise - ensures less fat acquisition, which for women especially in peri / menopause can be a challenge as we often acquire fat in places which becomes harder to shift, regardless of diet, and even when our overall weight is ok. You will not, for example, get rid of tummy / bottom fat just be dieting, in your 40s. It's about what you eat and when and how much. It's also about exercise.
The other key point is: know thyself. As indicated on this thread, everyone is different & different things work for other people that won't work for me.
I know for example I need carbs. I have changed my pattern of eating & am more careful about when I eat, but I need carbs.
Equally I listened to my body & changed how I ate - so usually 2 main meals a day usually breakfast & dinner. Any more I feel odd & bloated & sleep, already affected by peri, is worse.
But I snack, eat chocolate every day which to someone else would seem daft.
There's a lot to be said for being intuitive about how we eat / exercise.
Sorry for the essay 😳