Why September Beats January for Starting Healthy Habits

When Marcy joined me a few years ago, she was tired of the diet roller coaster. She had almost 100 pounds to lose, and she wanted this time to be different.

She could have waited until January like she always did in the past, but something told her she needed to start now. It was September, and she said to me, “If I wait until January, I’m just giving myself permission to keep feeling miserable for four more months.”

Marcy didn’t want another holiday season to undo her progress before it even started. She wanted a plan. She wanted accountability. And most of all, she wanted someone in her corner to remind her she could do this without giving up all the foods she loved.

She started building habits in September. Simple things like eating balanced meals, planning ahead, and learning how to enjoy holidays without guilt. By the time the holiday season rolled around, she felt confident. She didn’t spiral like she used to.

Fast forward to today: Marcy has lost nearly 100 pounds and has kept it off for years. She’s living proof that you don’t need to wait for the “perfect time.” There is no perfect time. You create it.

Why Most People Think January is Best (and Why It Usually Fails)

If you’ve ever told yourself, “I’ll start in January,” you’re not alone. So many people think the new year is the best time for a fresh start. The problem? Most January goals fizzle out by February.

Why? Because January comes with a lot of pressure. After the holidays, people feel guilty, they dive into extreme diets, and they try to overhaul everything all at once. It feels exciting in the beginning, but that motivation fades quickly. Life gets busy again, the all-or-nothing mindset creeps in, and before you know it, you feel like you failed.

Why the September Reset is the go-to

September is the perfect time to reset. The kids go back to school. Work routines feel a little more structured. Summer chaos is behind you, and the holidays aren’t here yet. It’s the perfect opportunity to focus on yourself before the busiest time of year arrives.

Think about it. When you start in September, you have months to build habits that feel second nature by the time Thanksgiving rolls around. Instead of feeling like the holidays completely derail you, you’ll have a plan. You’ll go into the season feeling confident, not stressed.

Starting now also takes the pressure off. January is filled with high expectations. Everyone else is dieting, hitting the gym, and talking about big goals. September feels calmer. It gives you space to make changes in a realistic way without all that noise.

Why Waiting Until January Usually Doesn’t Work

Here’s the truth. If you’re telling yourself “I’ll start after the holidays,” you’re giving away the most valuable time of the year.

Waiting means:

• You spend the next four months feeling stuck.

• The holidays feel like one big “last supper.”

• You put unnecessary pressure on yourself for the new year.

  
  

When January hits, most people go to extremes. They start diets that cut out everything they love, and it’s not sustainable. That’s why so many people quit.

Starting now gives you freedom. You don’t need to diet through the holidays. You can enjoy your favorite foods, feel in control, and keep making progress.

Your September Reset Starts Now

Imagine how different this year could feel if you start today instead of waiting for January.

You could:

✔ Go into the holidays feeling in control

✔ Build habits that last instead of chasing quick fixes

✔ Start 2025 already feeling confident and strong instead of starting over again

If you’ve been waiting for a sign, this is it. Let’s make this your September reset. No diets. No all-or-nothing rules. Just real changes that fit your life.

I work with women one-on-one to help them feel like themselves again without restrictive diets or giving up their favorite foods. If you’re ready to start before the holidays, click here to book your coaching session with me today.

Don’t wait for January. Start now and see how good it feels to have a plan in place before the chaos begins.