is it important to focus on protein intake at beginning of your weight loss journey?

hi i used to go to the gym consistently and lost around 20 lbs back in 2022/2023. my diet was ass so i didn’t lose as much as i know i could. i am wanting to get back into the gym and wanting to lose weight bc i’ve gained the 20lbs back plus more. i always told myself if when i got back into my healthy journey i would take my diet 100 times more seriously.

i feel like we always hear about meeting our protein intake but it is really necessary in the beginning stages of getting in the habit of losing weight/working out? i feel like there’s so much marketing surrounding the importance of protein so it makes me confused if this is super necessary in the beginning stages? (specifically the first to three months of working out) i know lots of ppl do cuts/bulking once they’ve already lost weight or have a routine of their workout splits.

sorry if this is a weird question or confusing. i will be happy to elaborate if none of this makes sense, thank you!