Suggestions for slimming waist and losing weight?

And also getting a thicker neck for taping reasons. Been doing shoulder shrugs and similar exercises.

I’ve already dropped about 8lbs some of it is water.

Also from what I’ve read going below 1,500 calories is not the best idea. I am on a fairly strict diet. Drink water only. Extra vitamins, salads, lean or 99% fat free chicken and what not. Trying to stay away from very salty foods I didn’t notice at first.

For example today I think I was just around the 1,500 mark if I include the calories burned from working out. But sometimes pretty sure I went under that. Supposedly I can actually gain weight by eating too little as my body goes into starvation mode?

Open to any ideas.