So how do people lose weight regularly?

I'm just wondering in general how people lose weight via conventional methods? Personally, fasting is the only and EASIEST way I've ever lost significant weight. So when I think of friends and family members who lost weight by adopting a new exercise regime or cutting out bread or whatever it makes me wonder how the heck that worked for them but wouldn't for me? And these are people who have been able to keep it off. Thoughts?