September reset: back to writing and real food

It’s September. The summer hols have whizzed by in a dreamy haze of sunshine, friends and sandy chaos. The rain is finally here and it’s back to school in just two days’ time. I’m clinging to the last hours of minimal routine and maximum fun before the school day dictates the ebb and flow at home.

Family holidays - a much-needed break from the routine!

During the hols I dubbed myself the “Reset Button”. My role switched overnight to full-on mum, and now I’m playing catch-up on what I neglected: my clients, my blog, and my diet.

I’m also setting goals to raise my game this term by being more present on social media and starting group workshops to spark meaningful conversations about food.

But where to start? That’s always the hard bit.

Intentions - dietary, work, or any other life goal - rarely become fully fledged overnight. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try. What we need is a strategy…

Getting back into good habits

Routine gives rhythm and space for fresh starts.

Summer can scupper food routines much like Christmas can. This year I’ve snacked with the kids and said yes to more ice creams than ever before. But now I’m getting back on track.

Habits wobble; identity steadies them

Before I swap out the treats, I check in with my why.

Why am I choosing to rid myself the sweet stuff? There’s a bigger picture that matters more to me, so I reframe it:

·       “I care about future-me.”

·       “I think better without mid-morning sugar cravings.”

·       “I feel lighter and more energetic when I eat well.”

Suddenly the sugar seems less appealing and easier to leave behind. It’s a great start, so I keep these statements in my ‘in-between-ears’ voice.

But vision isn’t enough on its own. I now need a how…

Making the vision reality

James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, sets out a framework I use every day. To realise our big-picture goals, we need to make actions obvious, attractive, easy, and satisfying.

I’m in the business of helping people eat well, so here’s how to build habits that fit your life, whether you’re starting from scratch or picking up the pieces after a few weeks of chaos:

Obvious — put the cue in your path

·       Fruit bowl on the counter; chopped veg at eye level in the fridge; the snacky stuff

stashed out of sight (out of mind).

·       A shopping list that always includes “add-ins” (frozen peas, leafy greens, beans, frozen

berries).

Attractive — make it something you want to return to

·       Prep with a genuinely interesting podcast; make plates colourful; reframe prep as a

privilege, not a chore – it really is!

·       Treats on purpose: one planned snack beats three mindless ones.

Easy — keep it simple

·       Start with “just add” to any meal: 1–2 plants to increase fibre and nurture your

microbiome - peas in pasta; salad in sandwiches; kale whizzed into soups or sauces.

Frozen or tinned still counts, and it's easy too!

·       Default breakfasts ready to go: nuts, yoghurt & berries; eggs & spinach on toast.

Frozen fruit and veg - small handfuls, big impact!

Satisfying — close the loop and see it

·       Create something you can see and taste straight away.

·       My favourite feedback loop: the kids saying “yummy”(and if they don’t, my own

tastebuds do).

Just add peas... a small, easy and repeatable gesture that brings about change over time...

A note to end on

Personally for me, September is full of mixed feelings. I love warm, sunny days so the autumn blues can easily take over. Instead this year I’m gently reframing the earlier sunsets and browning leaves as cues to retake control. It's time to tread the path that lies before me, both in the food I eat and in growing this business, to help more people nourish themselves in the way they deserve to.

With one step forward, the next has to follow, so if you want help defining and working towards your food goals then walk with me...

Sarah x

sarah@nutritionwithsarah.co.uk