While you’re likely aware of the positive physical effects of quitting sugar, like improved skin health, slashed visceral fat and a boost of energy, you may be surprised to learn it can have a pretty impressive impact on your mood too. Here’s what the 8-Week Program can do for you.

Brain and gut boosting food

Our recipes on the program are as good for your mind as they are for your body – they’re loaded with all the essential nutrients without any of the added nasties we’re used to seeing in highly-processed bread, cereals and snacks. These foods can tip our gut microbiome out of balance, which in turn can cause our mood to take a turn for the worse. Our gut microbiome is a complex structure made up of trillions of bacteria which influence the health of our whole body, from the physical to mental side of things. We’ve got research proving high-sugar diets throw this balance out of whack and lower microbial diversity, thereby putting us at risk for inflammation, disease and poor mental health. Check out this article for a refresher on the microbiome and our diet.

So, when you quit sugar and opt for nutritious, wholesome foods instead, it’s little surprise you start to feel better – and while you might think ditching sugar means you have to bid farewell to all your favourite cakes, brownies and muffins, you’ll be glad to know this isn’t the case. You can make nutritious comfort foods without all the consequences of excess sugar – after all, we know sugar is one of the leading drivers of soaring obesity rates, with studies showing a direct link between obesity and the sweet stuff. Worse still, researchers have found excess fructose can cause leptin resistance; leptin is the hormone that tells the brain that we’re full, so without it we may still feel hungry even after a full meal. The result is weight gain and obesity, among other ailments. So, make your own comfort foods! That’s what we’re here for. We have a range of delicious and nutritious recipes made from real, whole ingredients. It’s possible, we swear. Get ready for recipes that tick all the boxes for brain and gut health – minus the sugar!

Dancing With Libby Babet

Libby will be hosting workouts from her brand The Upbeat, and these fun exercises combine strength, dance, no-contact boxing and elements of Pilates – and all to the beat of some good music. You can look forward to a series of full-body workouts to get you building muscle tone and strength, enjoying a good dose of cardio and having fun at the same time. You may recognise Libby as one of the trainers from the Aussie TV hit, The Biggest Loser, but she’s also a speaker, presenter, author and the founder of The Upbeat Fitness Studio in Sydney, and she’s on a mission to show people how to make exercise accessible and fun instead of a chore. The mum of 2 says it’s all about changing the way we approach it. 

“I’m all about making nutrition simple and easy to understand, and making fitness fun, exciting and interesting," Libby says. "For me, it’s not about chasing the perfect body, counting calories or obsessing about exercise to reach a goal."

We’ve also got experts sharing a range of other exercise forms that focus on meeting you where you’re at – whether you’ve got mobility issues or are looking to break a sweat, we’ve got you covered. Check out our panel of experts HERE.

A community of support

When you have a community of fellow sugar-quitters who are looking to turn their lives around, it provides that much-needed support that’s missing when you make such a big change on your own. It also adds an element of accountability, which is one of the biggest drivers of success – if you’re the only one aware of your goals, it’s easier to give up, but when you’re in the same boat with others, you’re more likely to commit long-term. Accountability is all about taking on the responsibility for yourself and establishing your commitment to the cause.

The benefits that come with quitting sugar

There are a number of reasons people are keen to shake the sugar off their backs – not only is it a highly addictive substance that wires our brain to crave it over and over, but it also leaves us with the health consequences that come with a sugary diet. Once sugar hits the brain’s reward system, we end up in a vicious cycle of intense cravings and low moods leading us to eat more. This might not be such a dangerous problem if it weren’t for the host of health conditions associated with sugar consumption. Take a look at the shortlist:

• GERD
• Constipation
• Autoimmune conditions
• Anxiety and depression
• Heart disease
• Liver disease
• Obesity
• Type 2 diabetes

Two of the biggest health crises, obesity and type 2 diabetes, have been linked to excess sugar consumption, specifically fructose. This is the visceral-fat building kind of sugar that puts our liver under the gun and leads many to develop obesity. This condition affects 1.9 billion people around the world, and with sugar slipping its way into all manner of foods, is it any wonder so many of us are stacking on the kilos? Another condition with ties to fructose consumption is liver disease. Affecting a quarter of the population, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is projected to become the become the leading cause of cirrhosis in the next 10 years. But excess added sugars can also result in mental health issues too; studies have shown rates of depression are higher in those who eat a high added-sugar diet. Even the less dangerous symptoms of sugar overconsumption, like fatigue, mood swings and headaches, can crop up after a single meal. So, it’s no surprise that ditching the sweet stuff leaves many of us feeling and living better – from the external signs like skin and hair health to the internal stuff like gut and brain health, it’s all connected.

Sounds good, right? If you’re ready to take your life back into your control and get started on your health journey in 2023, we’re here to help. Join us for the 8-Week Program where we’ll be quitting sugar and turning our health dreams into a reality. When you sign up with us, you’ll have access to clear-cut meal plans, community support and exclusive access to our sugar-free content. Here’s what’s on offer:

1. 8 weeks of meal plans and shopping lists.
2. 90+ member-only recipes.
3. Community forums to share your journey.
4. Support and guidance from the I Quit Sugar team.
5. Exclusive content from our panel of experts.

So, if you’re ready to ditch sugar and the host of maladies that come with it, it’s not too late to join. We’d love to help you get started on your health journey. Sign up HERE today!