Raticus
I am going to extremly simplistic about it!
Although I have tried tabata's HIIT type cardio, and I must say it is hard but short and should work, I do it on off days, I don't diet strictly, but try to eat healthy.
I also don't count calories, else I might get p.... off
with the whole shabang, so I suggest just cut 500 or so calories per day, if you can, do not go way below maintenance levels as you will start to get side effects IMO.
I know the feeling, in my case I stopped smoking, started to take protein, but was taking it at the wrong times early in the morning and late at night, when I should have taken one for my second meal on days off and one before one after training on training days, so I started to bulge, and am struggling to get back to a 29" waist.
But I have faith and ... some discipline...so I eat healthy, cut out some intake slightly, started the cardio (albeit not as constant as should be) and carried on, and I see some improvements!
So I am not unhappy!