Bro... don't over complicate this. I know it's frustrating when you feel like you're getting no results AND you're avoiding foods you love but you have to approach your fitness from a long term perspective.
If you want to get rid of that gut it comes down to eating less calories then you need. Period. All the fancy charts and graphs, esoteric science and fad diets in the world will never beat the simplicity of this statement. You need to eat less. You mentioned your diet wasn't 100% on point. That has to change.
Track your calories
Lift weights 3 days a week minimum. Do cardio at least 3 days a week as well (start off with 30min and work up to 60 add more days as you plateau)... eat 6 small meals a day built around protein, concentrate on getting most of your carbs from vegetables and treat yourself to something starchier (rice, potatoes, pasta etc) only in your post-weightlifting meal.
Aim to lose about 1-2lbs
of fat a week. You don't want to lose muscle.
Drink tons of water get at least 7 hours of sleep. Take a long term approach and make adjustments based on your progress/situation but I guarantee you can get a flat stomach + an overall great body and health with some persistence. Massive change won't come in 30 days.... it took you years to get here it will take some time to transform yourself.
Good luck....
Cool thread Melon