Weight loss is 90% diet. The reason cardio is suggested is because there should be an activity component to losing weight - this helps you burn calories as well as promotes your metabolism, and staying active ensures your body burns more fat than muscle. If you diet but stay inactive then your body will burn fat and muscle equally, but if you use your muscles then your body will know to add nutrients to them and burn your fat instead. You could just take a long walk or two every day if you don't like using an elliptical or jogging.
The key is diet. Taking in less calories than your body needs so it ends up burning stored fat as energy.
The key is diet. Taking in less calories than your body needs so it ends up burning stored fat as energy.