How I Regained Control Of My Eating Habits (Without Dieting): My Experience With NTS Nutrition Coaching

After having a baby, I didn’t feel unhealthy in the clinical sense yet something was different. I was moving most days. I was breastfeeding. I was doing my best. But I didn’t quite feel like me. My eating habits had shifted from intentional to automatic, and food had slowly become something I reached for out of habit rather than hunger.

In those early postpartum months, eating more was necessary. Breastfeeding requires energy, and I have no regrets about fuelling my body well during that season. Two breakfasts? Completely justified. Extra snacks? Absolutely fine. But as my milk supply stabilised and life found a new rhythm, my eating habits didn’t recalibrate. I was still grazing constantly, still snacking without really thinking, still reaching for food when I was bored, tired, or needing comfort.

It started to feel heavy. Not just physically, but mentally. I felt lethargic and slightly out of control. Not broken - but untethered. I stopped enjoying food and it felt like it controlled me instead of fuelled me.

I didn’t need a fad diet. I didn’t need a “shred.” I needed structure. And that’s where NTS Nutrition came in.

What NTS Nutrition Actually Is (Beyond “Weight Loss”)

When people search for a nutritionist, fitness coach, or wellness coach, they often assume the experience will be rigid or restrictive. I quietly worried about that too. I was breastfeeding. I had a baby. I didn’t have the capacity for extreme gym routines or a calorie-cutting plan that would tank my energy.

I did not want:

• My milk supply dropping.

• To be told to cut entire food groups.

• To be told to exercise in a way that didn’t fit mum life.

• To obsess over scales.

What I got instead was something far more powerful. Firstly, James from NTS Nutrition is a registered nutritionist; immediately more beneficial than all the unregistered ‘wellness coaches’ floating around these days. I also got:

• Weekly Zoom check-ins.

• An app with food photo journaling and habit tracking.

• Education modules I could watch in my own time.

• A Nutritionist who asked about my sleep, home environment, stress, and mindset - not just my calories.

From the very first conversation, it was clear this wasn’t about shrinking myself. It was about supporting my whole life.

James didn’t start by asking what weight I wanted to be. In fact, weight was almost incidental in our conversations. He asked how I was sleeping. How I was coping. What my days looked like. What I wanted my energy to feel like. When I did mention wanting to lose weight, he gently asked why that number mattered and whether my motivation was coming from a healthy place. That level of care and reflection mattered deeply.

NTS Nutrition isn’t about quick fixes. It’s about behaviour change, habit change, and sustainable health coaching that fits within real life.

Add, Don’t Restrict: A Sustainable Nutrition Strategy

Instead of cutting foods out, we focused on building stronger foundations. The approach was additive rather than restrictive. We increased protein at my main meals, we made breakfast more substantial, we made sure I was genuinely fuelling myself and not just reacting to impulse.

Two eggs on toast became three eggs with tofu. Or a smoothie packed with spinach and protein powder. Those small changes meant I could make it through the morning without automatically reaching for a 10:30 snack. I wasn’t banned from snacks, but I didn’t feel controlled by them anymore. If I did feel hungry at 10:30, I could tell myself confidently that I had eaten enough food and that the urge was just habitual.

We made gradual adjustments week by week. I wasn’t expected to overhaul everything at once. Each week we introduced one manageable shift, and only when I felt ready did we layer another one on top. That pacing was key, especially in a season of life that already felt full.

By the end of three months, my food diary looked completely different to the one I logged at the start. Not perfect. Not extreme. Just intentional.

Movement That Fits Real Life

Movement has always been part of my identity, but I didn’t want pressure to perform. I missed the freedom of walking into a class whenever I wanted, but finding childcare for every workout wasn’t realistic. Instead of telling me to “just train harder,” James encouraged me to lean into what was already working.

Walking became my anchor. My baby naps well in the pram, and some days I walked for up to two hours. It wasn’t punishment. It was grounding. It was fresh air, sunlight, mental clarity, and movement all in one.

At one point, I noticed my milk supply dip slightly as my activity increased. That could have been scary. Instead, we simply adjusted. I ate more. We rebalanced. That responsiveness reinforced that this wasn’t a rigid fitness program - it was adaptive, personalised health coaching.

Over four and a half months, I lost six kilos. But the weight loss felt like a by-product, not the headline. The real win was feeling capable and in control again.

The Power of Accountability

I genuinely don’t think I would have achieved the same results alone.

When you’re tired, navigating motherhood, and operating on limited mental bandwidth, self-discipline becomes harder. The weekly Zoom sessions, the food photo journalling  app, the habit tracking markers, and the chat function created a gentle but consistent layer of accountability.

The app itself was surprisingly helpful. I logged my meals initially to create awareness. James commented on them. I could ask questions. There were short education modules I could watch in my own time - about lunch structure, dinner composition, balanced meals. It meant our weekly calls were productive rather than rushed.

That layered support - regular messaging plus live check-ins - made the process feel contained and supported rather than overwhelming.

Why I Chose NTS Nutrition (As a Sustainability Educator)

As someone who works in sustainability and conscious living, who I collaborate with matters to me. I’m careful about endorsing brands or services that don’t align with broader values.

One of the reasons I felt confident working with NTS Nutrition is their inclusive and realistic philosophy. They don’t promote extreme body ideals. They don’t push aesthetic transformation narratives. Their messaging centres around health, functionality, strength, and long-term wellbeing. That’s a bit of me!

They also speak openly about sustainability in a broader sense - not just environmental sustainability (though more on that soon), but sustainable behaviours. Sustainable nutrition. Sustainable movement. Sustainable lifestyle change. Their approach acknowledges that health must fit within the real constraints of modern life. It can’t rely on perfection or constant optimisation.

From an environmental lens, their ethos of balance and long-term thinking aligns with my own work in encouraging thoughtful, intentional consumption. Quick fixes rarely work - whether in fashion, food, or fitness. Systems thinking does. NTS operates from that systems perspective.

NTS Nutrition also acknowledges Te Tiriti o Waitangi, use electric bikes, compost in their home office, and are constantly aiming to reduce their environmental footprint. Their coaching is inclusive. It’s not just for a certain body type, age group, or life stage. It’s for people navigating injury recovery, life transitions, parenthood, or simply wanting clarity around their habits.

How I Feel Now

Before starting, I felt heavy in all senses of the word and slightly out of control. My eating felt reactive. My energy was inconsistent. I didn’t feel like myself.

Now I feel lighter - not just physically, but mentally. I feel more agile. More capable. When I open the pantry, I pause. I ask what I actually need. Sometimes that’s food. Sometimes it’s fresh air. Sometimes it’s calling a friend.

My relationship with food feels calmer. I enjoy meals more because I’m not rushing through them or using them as emotional filler. My energy is better. Some of that is naturally postpartum time passing. But much of it is the result of deliberate habit change.

Who NTS Nutrition Is For (And Who It’s Not)

NTS Nutrition would be amazing for someone who:

• Feels stuck in unhelpful eating habits.

• Wants sustainable weight loss without extreme dieting.

• Needs structured accountability.

• Is returning to movement after injury or life change.

• Is navigating motherhood and wants realistic support.

• Wants a holistic flexible approach  rather than a strict meal plan.

It’s probably not for someone looking for a rapid 4-week transformation or a hardcore “shred.” It’s not for someone unwilling to reflect on sleep, stress, and broader lifestyle patterns. This is about sustainable behaviour change, not short-term punishment.

Ready to Explore It for Yourself?

If any of this resonates, I encourage you to book an initial consultation with NTS Nutrition. It’s simply a conversation. You can talk through your goals, your lifestyle, your concerns, and see if it feels like a fit.

Book a consultation here.

For a limited time, anyone who books a consult will also go in the draw to win:

• A full refund of your consult

• PLUS 3 x 8-week blocks of the NTS strength training programme (valued at $240 + GST)

ENTER HERE.

If you’ve been feeling slightly untethered in your habits…If you want clarity and structure without restriction…If you’re searching for a Registered Nutritionist  who sees the whole picture…

This might be your moment!

Frequently Asked Questions About NTS Nutrition

What does a nutritionist actually do?

A nutritionist helps you improve eating habits, movement routines, and lifestyle behaviours through structured accountability and education. At NTS Nutrition, this includes weekly Zoom sessions, food photo journalling  via app, habit tracking, and holistic goal setting.

Is NTS Nutrition only for weight loss?

No. While healthy weight loss can be a result, NTS focuses on sustainable habit change, improved energy, mindset shifts, and balanced nutrition coaching tailored to your life.

Can you do nutrition coaching while breastfeeding?

In my experience, yes - but it needs to be done carefully. NTS adapted my plan to protect milk supply and adjusted movement and food intake accordingly.

Do I have to follow a strict diet?

No. My plan focused on adding protein and building balanced meals rather than cutting foods out. It felt realistic and sustainable.

Is NTS Nutrition suitable for busy mums?

Yes. The structure is flexible, the app allows self-paced learning, and the weekly accountability is designed to work within real life.