Interesting conversation with lots of good comments: "Long story short. Exercise without lowering your caloric intake only makes you physically stronger. Exercise while in a caloric deficit will hasten the weight loss. You can also just eat at a caloric deficit and not exercise and will still lose weight." "I said the same thing last year .. I was doing both diet and exercise .. I wasn't able to exercise for two weeks from an ankle injury. I shredded more weight in those 2 weeks without exercise just dieting ... I concur !" "He is correct. In 2021 I lost 40 pounds by reducing calories. I stroll casually 10,000 steps per day, which is very casual, no cardio at all. My dog likes to stop to sniff every 20 feet so my walking is not really exercise. My thesis is that the weight fell off because I cut out snacking."
Actually, if the exercise builds muscle, it will also increase the amount of calories your body burns at rest (metabolism).