The only tried and true method is to expend more calories than you take in. Whether that is exercising more, or eating less, that's the only real way to do it. There are plenty of fad diets that work for a little while, but really making a change in your behavior and eating patterns is the way to go. When I exercise, I do lose weight. When I stop, I don't. That's why I need to get back in the habit of exercising more.