292: Back To School Thinking

Welcome to a new term

0:00Hello, if only there was a song which was the opposite of Schools Out for Summer. Is there one? Maybe we need to write a new hit, Anna. I mean, we've done many a thing. Back to school this autumn. Maybe not. Let's just play the ukuleles.

0:30Hello. Welcome to Slim World Podcast. Yes, maybe you've never heard us before. It's great that you get to click on this and find out more about Slimming World and us and what we get up to. I am Claire Savory and joining me is my trusted co-host, Anna. Hello. You never say your second name. Why not? Do you know what it is? I've been married for nearly 14 years and I still, it doesn't roll off the tongue like my maiden name did.

1:00What? I just, I know, it's so weird just getting Anna Mangan. It doesn't roll off my tongue like Anna Kaufman used to do. And I just say Anna because that just feels easier. Isn't it weird? Well, I mean, you're just our friend. You're like Madonna, basically. Oh, yeah. The Anna. Anna Mangos. Yeah. Right. Well, if you don't know, Anna is a consultant with Slimming World of many decades, actually. It's over a decade now, right? Yeah. 16 years almost. Wow, that's nearly two decades. Yeah, more than that. Yeah. She only looks about 20 as well.

1:32Like you. Thank you. Ten is on its way to you, darling. And I am a member of many years, many journeys, but somehow I've managed to make things click with a five stone weight loss. We've been doing some more podcasts for many years, but I think this time of year is always a great point to reset. So whether you are a member and a listener that's been following us for many, many years or maybe you're new to this and something within you, you're like, I need to maybe have a think about what my habits are and where I'm going with my weight.

2:04I'm new to all of this world and I'm curious about what Slimming World has to offer. You're all welcome.

September as a reset

2:39Anna, I imagine are there some people who've been away and coming back? Yeah. You've got your usuals telling you about where they've been on holiday. It's really interesting because I think September is a time of refocus, is a time of getting back into a nice routine. There's almost that kind of anticipation of, dare I say it, the festive season. But in my groups, you see a lot of people who've maybe had a little bit of a hard time over summer and are thinking they want to reset.

3:10People coming in and really want to renew their focus. We see members that we haven't seen for a while. There's something about September that people think, right, I'm on it. So it's a really exciting time because we get lots of new members, lots of rejoining members. And then in that mix is those members that have been there through the summer and really are working through their weight loss journey. So it's an exciting time. It's a time of high motivation, I would say. And it's a time of kind of a bit of reflection, what we've learned from where the year has brought us to, what we've been through and actually what we want to, how we want to end the year.

3:45So I always start September really thinking about this chapter is almost over. You know, we've written the book of 2026 almost. How are we going to end it? So it's an exciting one. I love September. Yeah, I like that analogy of just getting back to school, that new term starting. You know, I don't have children, but I think there's something about that clicking into that new season that arrives in September. And looking ahead, I think you're right, you know, with many of us starting this year with perhaps goals or things we wanted to work towards,

4:21knowing that there are still like a few months left of the year that we could still kind of pull those back if we need to. And I think also the big thing for me is coming back to basics of the food optimizing plan is just maybe looking at things through fresh eyes, a clean slate, a new leaf. Oh, my goodness. There's all the kind of analogies that we could throw in here, cliches. But for me, that idea of let's just remind ourselves what the food optimizing plan is all about.

4:57I mean, how do you kind of call it? Like a back on it checklist I'm reading here on one of the articles. I think what we we would be doing in group is that kind of let's draw a line. Let's get back to basics. Let's look at food optimizing 100 percent seven days a week, because we know that you can food optimize through any eventuality. You can food optimize seven days of the week. You can lose your weight and you can keep it off. But sometimes we have to reframe those kind of intentions, don't we? So I'm really about letting go of what's been.

5:30If there's been weight gain, you're feeling any sort of guilt, let's bin that. Let's move forward with real positivity, but with real intention. And really about making changes that are sustainable and that are enjoyable, but that are going to get you the results that you truly want. Because a lot of the times, especially over summer, it can be really difficult to navigate life, can't it? And you can come in a little bit worn down or a little bit kind of it lacking in belief. So this is about refueling that belief, that motivation and having a very distinctive reason why you want to lose weight is really, really key.

Getting back to basics

6:02So where I like to start is back to basics with the plan. What are we going to eat? How are we going to eat an abundance of free food? How are we going to enjoy those generous, healthy extras? And how are we going to make sure that we incorporate our, you know, carefully counted swips so that we can lose weight consistently? So I would be going through the plan, really looking at what we can have. Because remember, there's like over 350 free foods. There is an abundance of food that we can absolutely tap into to keep us nourished, full and really enjoying what we eat.

6:33So kind of drawing back that kind of curtain of maybe what the summer's brought and thinking about how we're going to regenerate the plan for ourselves. And maybe actually getting back to doing some planning. Because that really, really helps, you know, getting a meal planner, looking at next week. And that's one of the places I start, like a stock fridge, stock cupboards. What am I going to eat? And where is the joy? That word I keep coming back to. I was doing a meal plan yesterday and thinking, where's the joy in this? Because there's lots of free food, but where's my excitement coming?

7:04So that's what I look at. Yeah, I guess also getting back to group, you know, getting back to hang out with your members, your mates. It's a bit like your Slimming World family. That really is, you know, if you've been out of the game for a little bit and this is the podcast you've hit play to and you need that kind of mojo to get back to it. This is the time, you know, that energy, that fresh energy that is in group. And also just that, you know, there's always someone who's been in your shoes, who's been there and done that. I think kind of looking and finding out what are you working at at the moment?

7:37What are you looking forward to? What are you eating? Where are you eating? And that kind of nosiness that you get with being part of a community, that's the fun bit. Yeah, and that kindness of if maybe you haven't been to group for a little while and you're worried about it and you're worried what the scales will show or what people will think, please be reassured that it's going to be nothing but a gorgeous warm welcome that you're going to get and some fun and loads and loads of learning. Because I've been in that very position as a consultant so many times that that fear of walking back into group, almost thinking, I'll fix it.

8:13I'll just do this at home for a few weeks. I'll fix it and then I'll go back. Get back to group. That's where we're going to help you fix it. All you've got to do is take the courage to walk back through. And if you're ever worried, I always say this, like, pick up the phone, drop us a WhatsApp, a text, you know, give us a call, talk through any worries. That's what my role as your consultant is to help you and help you make that big, bold move. So, yeah. But taking that step to say, right, let's get back to it. And imagine the possibilities, you know, imagine six weeks on plan, you could easily be a stone down.

8:45By Christmas, you could be three stone down. Like, it's really thinking about those possibilities rather than what's been. Let's think about what we can now go on and absolutely go out to achieve. See, that ambition, that excitement, that passion, that's so important, isn't it? But also for me, it's about those practical tips of how can I make this simple and easy? And as you say, make sure that I don't go hungry and I'm eating food that I really love. I mean, for me, the simple thing is, can I order a Slimmer World Kitchen recipe box?

9:18And you don't need to be a member to do that. You know, go on the slimmerworldkitchen.co.uk website and find out what that could look like for you. That's potentially one option. It's like a recipe box that just comes to your house and then you unpack it and you just make everything according to the ingredients and it's filled with free food. You haven't got to worry about that. The other thing is the Slimmer World Iceland range or in Dunn's in Ireland that you can go and get these foods which you will just whip out your freezer

9:52and boom, there's your tea sorted. And that just might be what you need to just get things back going and get the wheels turning. This idea about make it simple, make it easy. Do you know one of the things that's really excited me recently? I totally forgot that Slimmer World Kitchen has an add-on shop, right? And you can get things like Slimmer World has some amazing wraps that are high in fiber. They also have these naan breads, these garlic and coriander naan breads

10:25and they are part of the food optimising plan. Oh my goodness, they are so soft and lovely and tasty and I forgot. And so I realised, oh, hang on a sec, I'm just going to add these in. I was so excited. I want to clip her face for Instagram if you've just seen the face she did. I've got four packets in my freezer and I just love them. I just whip them out and pop them in the toaster. They're so good. Yeah. But again, look how excited we got over the wraps.

10:57I was the gig pizza. You're making a knob, having some curry. This is the thing that I learnt from you early, early on. If you're not excited about your tea, maybe there's something we need to work at here. And it's funny because I laugh about this with my group. There's one lady who's like, God, you're so passionate and excitable. And I'm like, yeah. I'm like a puppy. Yeah. Because you know what? For me, food has always sparked a lot of joy. It's come with a lot of emotion. I still want that joy from a really brilliant food optimised meal.

11:29I've got burger and chips tonight and I am so excited. I've got jalapeno peppers. I've got gherkins. I've got melty cheese. I've got a crispy butter. I can't wait. I really can't wait. And that is allowing me to have lost weight and keep it off. So be like an excitable Labrador. That's what I say because that's what I am when it comes to free food. But finding ways to make it easy. So like for me, it's an online food shop. It's having those breakfast, dinners, snacks planned so that I don't have to think when my emotion's high. It's having the grab and goes in the fridge.

12:00You know, for me, it's always been things like ready chopped melon so that I know little tubs of blueberries. Just finding your way with it is really, really key. And also the thing that I always think about this time of year, going back to basics, something really simple. Like you were just talking about the naan breads and the wraps. I try and make sure that I buy wherever I possibly can, all my healthy extras pre-measured or measure out in bulk so that I don't have to do that thinking at the beginning of the day or when I'm hungry. So again, just thinking about those little tools or techniques that may be really important for you so that you can absolutely allow yourself to food optimise 100%.

12:37Because I know if I'm left with a block of cheese when I'm hungry, I'm going to bite some before I weigh it. So I just buy it pre-portioned and then I'm not in that situation. So thinking about your personality as a food optimiser. Yeah, and you know, for people who don't know what healthy extras are, they are part of the food optimising plan that really make sure you're covered nutritionally, be that through fibre, calcium or healthy fats. You know, the other thing I think that's really apt at this time of year is dropping the shoulds and unrealistic expectations.

13:11So previously, I have landed in September a little bit like I would have in old school days of New Year's resolutions. And I learned quite quickly, it was a fast track way to put a lot of pressure on myself, which then eventually reaffirmed any shame and guilt that I'd held for a number of years. So instead for me, it was instead of thinking like, I should lose three stone by Christmas, I must lose this by, you know, my birthday or something like that.

13:42It was actually looking at much kinder, softer, more compassionate goals. It could be a piece of clothing that I really wanted to look forward to or visualising and thinking, how do I want to feel on a particular event that's coming up? And then just quietly, confidently making the commitment to get to group, to get to an online event, be whatever type of membership you have every week. Just make that commitment every week, show up, turn up.

14:13If you've not been staying to group the last few weeks because things have been busy, this week, make it this week that you sit down, get a cup of coffee or tea and you stay and you receive that support and that motivation, that inspiration that you need because it plants the seed for the next seven days. You're paying for it in your membership. Exactly. Use it. And also the thing I was thinking about was setting micro goals.

Setting micro goals

14:38So, you know, you were saying like an item of clothing, like, is it about breaking it down, okay, four, six, eight, 10, 12 weeks, actually half stone at a time? Because we know while the end goal, that end target is so important, breaking it down into micro goals that you can then celebrate at each achievement is really important psychologically. So, thinking about where would I like to be by the end of this month, okay, would it be I'd like to try and get into those genes by the end of this month? Using these things as motivators rather than things to beat yourself up about.

15:09I'm a firm believer that pressure does not motivate you to lose weight, but looking at how things could be better does. So, actually, could I walk up the stairs and not be breathless by the end of September because I've lost enough weight for that to happen? Could I be lifting some more weight in the gym? Looking at those things that maybe you don't think about, can I measure my energy? Am I sleeping better so that these are other motivators to keep you going? Yeah, that idea of what's keeping you going, I think also taking a moment to think how big a priority is weight loss for you right now?

15:47And being honest with yourself, have you got the mental bandwidth to do this? The physical time to put in to plan or learn or do things different? And the biggest question I think that I always come back to again and again is, why does this matter to me? And that's a great one to dig out, be it a journal or maybe just think about that question as you walk around the block or take the dog for a walk or whatever it is, or as you drive to work.

16:19Think about that. Why does this matter to me? Because if you are willing to pay, you know, in group the fee $6.95 a week or join a countdown offer, if you're willing to make that money and pay that money, what are you willing to do to make it actually happen? Because it's one thing making the financial commitment, but it's another thing in making it a big enough priority in putting yourself first to actually get the results that you really, really want there. Yeah, that's the difference for me.

16:51A hundred percent. And thinking about that, circling an hour for yourself to get to group or to be on the online community, to watch an event, to talk to the community, allowing yourself that grace and that space to actually get that support. Because the world is so busy and we can find ourselves really neglecting ourselves, can't we? And, you know, that old saying, can't pour from an empty cup. It's really thinking about what do I need to make this week look like a success? So, actually, prioritising being in group, getting to group, staying to group, prioritising getting to the community or the online events, prioritising doing a food shop and spending some time meal planning.

17:31Things that you don't feel you've got time for, but if you make time for, then make that week so much easier. Do you know what I mean? Like, spending 15 minutes doing your online food shop and doing a meal planner, 20 minutes doing that, actually, that is going to pay off so massively, isn't it, when you've done it? So, it's thinking about your worth, how it's a priority and how can you make it a priority if it isn't at the moment. What needs to shift so that that can move up the priority list? Yeah. You're talking about pay off there as well.

18:02That's a good one to know. I read a comment on Simmel's socials account a few months ago where it talked about Joe Thompson, who was Mr. Sleek, wasn't he? A number of years ago, back when Mr. Sleek was still a thing. Amazing, yeah. And Joe does various cool things in Slimming World now. He's now a district manager. He's an amazing guy. See? Yeah. He wrote a comment where it talked about, where's the comment? It said, it took me 20 weeks to lose five stone with Slimming World at a cost of £118.15.

18:34For just £118.15, I completely changed my life, every part of it. I'd say that's pretty epic value for money. I mean, people often come up with these hurdles, don't they? I can't afford that, or that's too much, or healthy food is too expensive. We put up all these barriers. And I thought, gosh, £118.15, 20 weeks, he changed his life losing five stone. Imagine if that was you listening.

19:05But that's the thing to know, it could be. It really could. If you and I hadn't walked through those doors, you know, had the courage to come back when we'd wobbled, when we'd gained the weight back, then we wouldn't be sat here today. So that isn't Joe from Essex, who's some, you know, being that doesn't really exist. We're two people who took the steps. It's been hard. But I promise you, taking that courage and that leap of faith to say, come on, let's see how 2026 ends. I can rewrite this last bit. If you promise yourself in January and it hasn't happened, it's all right.

19:37It just wasn't meant to be then, but you can make it happen now. Well, I'm always excited about what the prospect of what could be, because I can't change what's happened, but I can absolutely go and make damn sure that I change what's about to happen or, you know, the future. So really thinking about how you want this year to close, not how it might be at the moment. Wow, what she said. It's true though, isn't it? Hey, that was the most powerfulest, like, speech that I've ever heard you make. That's going on the Insta. Yeah, we need it.

20:09We need that clipped up now. I don't think we need to do anything else on this podcast. I think everybody is like, yep, done. Sign me up. I'm off.

Controlling the controllables

20:19All right.

Controlling the controllables

20:20Well, let's make it count. Do you know what I mean? Let's do it.

20:24Look, I'm saying this. I have had a monumentally rubbish 2026 so far in so many ways. And I was late thinking about it the other day and I thought, I can either lie here sad about everything that 2026 has thrown at me that I didn't want, or I can go and say, actually, it's been rubbish, but I'm going to go and absolutely make this end on a positive. I'm so sorry. So, because I've got that capability, I can't change that it's been rubbish, but I can change how I feel about it. So, to anybody who's feeling sad or desperate out there, it's okay.

20:56It doesn't have to end like that. It really, really doesn't. And that's so powerful for you to say that. She's crying, everyone. I know. She's gone. She's gone. I don't put mascara on for these podcasts anymore. I'm like a bald chicken because I know what happens. Who needs mascara on a podcast? I do. I don't put the bins out without mascara on, babe.

21:16I look like a boiled chicken. Do you know what I think that you're a really great example of is control the controllables. Yeah. There is so much in your life that is out of your control right now. But what you've worked really hard at is what can I do? What are my choices? And focusing your energy into that is what's changed your life. But I'm not extraordinary in any way. That's what anybody can do. You just have to turn that cup from being half empty to half full and decide you want it to be different.

21:51And then, you know, once you've made that decision, I'm not saying that walk's going to be easy, but it's much easier once you've made the decision that you're worth making that choice. True that. Yeah. I mean, you're not ordinary either, to be honest. You know. You're not normal. It's not something I ever said on my school report. No. Anna Kaufman. Wow. But you know what? For someone who got told she talks too much, I'm making a living out of it. Look at her now. Look at her now. Exactly. Doing a killer speech. She's crying like a bald chicken on a podcast.

22:23Get her at the Slimming World Oscars. Last week, if you're just tuning back into this whole Slimming World shizzle, having had a little bit of time off over summer, that's totally cool. Last week, we did a members episode. So every week, they're on the members app. You can listen to us coming in your ears every Monday, every Friday, actually. You get us early. You get us on Friday. And then we're every other week here on Spotify, Apple, and other podcast-y public places.

22:54Last week, we did a really good members deep dive in the motivational toolkit that comes with Slim World. So if that is something that you want to carry on delving into, you've got your journal out, your mind is flowing with ideas, that might be another one to hit play to. Just to keep this kind of process of playing detective and being curious and really kind of fostering these new behaviours and these new habits that will set you up for life.

23:24You know, that's the cool bit. We are back next week. We actually have no idea what we're going to be doing. So that's quite a teaser right there. The prize whistle. Yeah. Occasionally, we do know what we're doing, but it just so happens that next week, we have a gap. So that'll be a good surprise. In the meantime, have a great start to your September, whether you're going back to school, whether you're going to big school, little school, or life school.

23:57We hope it is a great start and we'll see you soon. Bye for now.

24:11Bye for now.