I'm a former obese guy (I was 275lbs at 6'2", and around 37% body fat). I'd listen to my athletic friends who always grew up playing sports. They'd say to just run a shit ton, and eat way less. I took my calories down to 1500, and attempted run/walking 2-3 miles mon-fri. It sort of worked, but I felt TERRIBLE. I also fucked my joints for life. I'm talking bone and bone rubbing of knees. Click and popping from movement. There was a kid I used to know who was starting from my point. Obese as well. he only 500 calories a day. Walked 3 times a week at a leisurely pace, probably 2-3 miles on walk days. He was also running starting strength. He found his accurate macros for cutting via calculation, from his bf% at the start. I loled at his program, like "pfft, what an idiot. All the ripped bros have the best advice on getting ripped... he's listening to some internet BS".
Sure enough.. a 6-12 months later he looked pretty good. Where as I looked like a skinny fat version of my previous self. I dropped 75 lbs... but I looked fat still. My bf% dropped, but not by how much I thought it should have. He looked more lean and strong. He got his advice from a former fat guy that got shredded. I learned then, you should try and get advice from folks that came from your position. Most of these athletic ripped bros, that never got fat, and always were in shape... they have. Bless them for trying to help me, but they don't understand fat bros shouldn't go right into high impact, chronic repetitive type impact stuff.
The buddy who got better results body composition wise, he started off with a walk program, when he got down to 22 or 20% bf he started c25k. He's been steady around 15-18% bf now. Lifts a ton, and has no joint issues.