Can you lose weight through diet alone without exercising? [D]

23 years old, male, 6'1", 181 lbs.

I’m looking to drop down to at least 165 lbs, but honestly, I’ve never been an athlete and my cardio is nonexistent. If I try to go for a light jog or hop on a bike, I feel like I'm about to pass out.

That said, cutting calories isn't going to be the issue for me. I can easily cut out certain foods, get enough sleep, and stay hydrated... that part is easy.

So, based on my stats, how realistic is it to hit my goal just by eating better and staying in a deficit without hitting the gym? Or is combining diet and exercise an absolute requirement if I actually want to see results?

Take a look at what’s being said over here..

There’s already an existing thread dedicated to weight loss, so I'm locking this one down.

Also, a quick word of advice for anyone starting a new thread—take a second to look at the subforum title before you post.