I might as well chime in this year. This ended up being be a sort of a longcat, but I don't visit this thread often:
Started the year 225 with a Halloween goal of 205. I know that it doesn't sound like much, but I'm also trying to gain around 20 lbs of muscle in that time, so I'm really trying to cut closer to 40 lbs of bad weight. See below's response to Brew for a full picture, but I'm trying to regain some not-insignificant, long-lost upper body strength
No drugs. CICO/WFMM diet, which for me means cutting carbs (mostly in the form of snacks and binge meals), while just all-around eating cleaner foods. I cook 90% of my own meals, so mostly replacing rice and pasta with veggies.
Stress and sleep end up being my weaknesses more than anything. I use caffeine (either plain old coffee or GTE/Vit B) in the morning to help with sleep cycle.
Light strength training with walks/runs/bikes around the neighborhood for exercise. My boy's spring soccer is about to start and it'll give me 2 days/week for more structured cardio when that happens. I'm terribly inconsistent about exercising. With 4 kids and a salaried desk job, I basically just try to take advantage of what I get.
I'm currently below 217, with essentially no strength or muscle gains (or losses for that matter).
I'm closing in on a decade past 4 elbow surgeries followed by months of PT. Without knowing your exact situation, my only advice is to listen to your body. Figure out what's painful in a good way vs painful in a bad way - if that makes sense. Know your limits, do what you can, and eventually you'll be able to add more. And I'll add that patience really helps and that, for general health, walking is underrated.