I Lost 10lbs Quickly With One Simple Change

I hurt my knee in early October 2023, and I also have a sciatica issue. So it was time for me to lose the 25lbs of excess fat I was carrying around on my body.

At 62, I knew I had to do something to improve my quality of life and give my knees the kindness they needed.

I had a portion control container and booklet, but never really made a determined effort to lose weight by following that strategy properly.

I like cooking, so being in the kitchen around food meant that I was constantly snacking. The recipes that I'd make were for four to six people and there were always too many leftovers that would last for days.

I had to get control of my portions in order to lose weight, and that's where portion control containers help me. They were color-coded and portion-sized.

Once I calculated my allotment of the various food groups i.e carbs, proteins, fruit, and healthy fats, it was just a matter of using the food I had in my kitchen and filling the allotted amounts into containers.

I would measure three cups of fruit into a container, and four cups of vegetables. I would then decide what my meals would be. For example, if my proteins were chicken or tuna, I would make a wrap using some of the vegetables and use hummus as my spread.

For breakfast, I'd chop up fruit—except for bananas as they are usually my mid-morning or afternoon snack. I enjoyed a cup of coffee in the morning and green tea in the afternoon, and water hydrated me throughout the day.

Once my containers were prepped in the morning, I no longer had to think about food until it was time to eat. I decided to stick to regular meal times, except dinner, which I ate an hour earlier, at 5 p.m. as daylight savings is over and we're coming into the colder months. This gives me around 12 to 14 hours of fasting from 5 to 5:30 p.m., all the way to 7 a.m. I'm sleeping better and no longer have heartburn or reflux.

The overall takeaway for me is that by visually portioning out my food, there is no room for junk food, or for me to snack. If I was to go out for dinner I would still visualize the portions of the various food groups, so I know that I'm not over-eating.

For example, the other evening I was invited out for a charcuterie. I took along five individual small ramekins of a lemon blueberry dessert for the party. Since I made the dessert, I knew it contained no salt and scant sugar. I chose only a few pieces of cheese and crackers from the charcuterie and was able to enjoy the artichokes, gherkins and chopped fruit. I stayed clear of the cured meats. I did indulge in a glass of wine, then switched to water.

I believe that with my strategy, there is no need to avoid parties or dinners out, just keep in mind your portions and go for the no/low salt, low fat, and no/low sugar options.

When it comes to portion control and feeding a family or spouse, I find that once I have my food requirements sorted, it's no problem to plan the family meals. Since I eat at regular meal times with my spouse, it doesn't feel too different. I didn't want my new eating style to get overcomplicated.

My grocery shop has changed. I'm not buying junk food anymore. I will use whatever is in the pantry, refrigerator, and freezer. I tell my family that if they are eating high-calorie or high-fat foods, not to include me.

I don't deprive anyone of eating, I just don't tempt myself. If I decide I want a doughnut or a pastry I just might eat one, but I'm not craving anything like that anymore.

I'm currently giving myself a few months to lose the 25lbs. So far, I've lost 10lbs and I no longer use knee support.

It seems my body has found a balance. It's like my knees talked to my stomach, which then talked to my brain, which talked to my heart and said: "Be kind to yourself. Fuel yourself with good food because life is a journey. Why make the journey more difficult, you have many more roads to travel."

Moira Lamborn is a cosmetologist, garden planner, and home chef.

All views expressed in this article are the author's own.

Do you have a unique experience or personal story to share? Email the My Turn team at myturn@newsweek.com.