I agree with you op and you’ve had some snippy responses from posters who clearly didn’t read your op correctly. At no stage did you say it’s the only way, you clearly stated for those not losing.
i think understanding the rough cal content of your food is key, as well as understanding the macros and ensuring you’ve a healthy balanced diet. During weight loss min of 1g of protein per 1kg of body fat is vital.
I see many many people dont don’t do this. They also don’t work out, assuming physically able, and then really dislike what they see when they hit goal, or complain their tummy or something doesn’t shrink , their backsides are flat, and clothes size doesn’t really reduce and have way more excess skin than they’d otherwise have.
losing weight is 80 percent diet 20 percent exercise and strength training as well as cardio is critical. Strenght to ensure we protect our muscle at all costs and lose as much fat as possible with as little muscle loss as possible and cardo for heart health.
muscle is active, fat is inactive. So muscle burns cals, which keeps our bmr up. If people lose muscle their bmr drops and then maintaning is nearly impossible as they require so few cals.
it’s also critical that soon as weight loss stops, people move into body recomp. So upping cals go maintainence but mainly with protein, and rebuild muscle.
it’s a complex journey but it’s about so so more than the number on the scales. And way more than counting cals. Where I fully agree with you, if you’re not losing it’s nearly always as you’re eating to maintwqnce and need to reduce. Otherwise what’s the point.