Reducing your intake by 500 calories can be quite significant, especially if you're starting from 2500 calories. If you're considering maintaining such a large deficit for an extended period, you might find yourself needing to increase cardio to keep progressing.
A more gradual approach could be beneficial. I recommend lowering your intake by 200 calories, potentially focusing on reducing fats. First, take a look at your daily step count. If you're not reaching 10000 steps, this could be a great starting point. By increasing your step count by about 20%, you can effectively burn a few extra calories without putting too much strain on your body. This way, you’ll make sustainable progress while feeling good.