Found yourself wondering if the 8-Week Program actually works? Short answer – absolutely. Long answer? Let’s take a look at the impressive benefits of quitting sugar, plus some powerful testimonials from IQS members.

The question of the benefits of the 8-Week Program is one that echoes through our community regularly. While many of you inquire about the weight loss component—undeniably, sugar's departure can be a catalyst for shedding unwanted kilos—what truly captivates us is the remarkable transformation members undergo. As the journey unfolds, participants find themselves not only shedding physical weight but also gaining an abundance of vitality, steadfast emotional balance, and a radiant complexion. It's the holistic shift towards enhanced energy levels and consistent moods that resonates deeply.

Pictured: Our delicious Kale + Cauliflower Curry Puffs

But, why quit sugar?

Lower Your Risk for Disease

Obesity rates have tripled since 1975, with sugar consumption playing a major role in. This becomes clear when we see the research showing the daily intake in 1750 in the USA was around a teaspoon, just a fraction of today’s numbers. Aussies consume around 17 teaspoons of added sugar each day, far exceeding the 6-teaspoon recommendation, leaving many at risk of developing obesity. Studies prove that excessive sugar intake is a contributing factor in obesity, along with causing insulin resistance, which leads to diabetes.

Improve Your Mental Health

Research shows the incidence of depression is higher in those who consume excess sugar, and another study found anxiety was increasingly reported in those over 60 who have higher sugar intakes. With the global anxiety rate surpassing 7%, it’s a wide-spread health crisis with a range of causes – but sugar is a known contributor. It’s not just long-term conditions either, excess sugar consumption can also lead to a number of short-term consequences like blood sugar spikes. These occur after a sugary meal, throwing our blood sugar levels out of whack. Take a look at some of the signs below:

• Irritability and anger
• Anxiety
• Headaches
• Numbness or tingling in the hands and feet
• Increased thirst
• Increased need to urinate

These symptoms can get in the way of productivity at work and school, disrupt sleep patterns and lead to a vicious cycle of low mood and poor mental health. Cutting sugar out is one way to put a stop to these spikes and reduce your risks for developing mood disorders like depression.

Heal Your Gut Health

Sugar strikes again when it comes to gut health and a balanced microbiome, with research finding high-sugar diets mess with your gut bacteria, finding it lowered microbial diversity – meaning less immunity to infections. Excess sugar how been shown to drive up levels of Proteobacteria, and this can lead to dysbiosis; this is when the microbiome gets thrown off balance, putting us at higher risk for metabolic disorders and autoimmune conditions.

The solution? Cut down on sugar. Eating a low-sugar diet rich in fatty acids, fibre and probiotic foods is one of the best ways to maintain gut health.

But don’t just take our word for it – take a look at some firsthand testimonials from 8-Week Program members:

Danielle Maurice: “I have PCOS and with that comes very irregular, very heavy and very painful menstrual cycles and PMS. Since doing the 8-Week challenge my cycles have regulated, the pain only lasts a day rather than days and they are much lighter. I'm not needing to curl up in a ball with a hottie on my back and stomach.

“I loved how everything was done for you,” she says. “The weekly meal plans and the shopping lists make quitting sugar much easier than if you were to try to go at it on your own.”

Danielle says one of the biggest draws of the program was the meal planning and recipes, sharing the peace of mind that comes with it.

“I don't know about others but I'm not a great meal planner at all and totally would have failed without those. They kind of help you create good habits without you even realising.”

Sam Tomlinson: "The food was filling, so I didn’t feel the need to stand staring in the fridge and the pantry every night for half an hour every hour, and because the results were relatively instant for me, I felt motivated to keep going.

"I lost 8kg over the 8 weeks, it felt like a steady gradual decline all the way through," Sam says. "Sometimes the scales didn’t move, but I could see from my face and the look of my clothes that I was losing weight everywhere."

Danielle Gallan: “Over the last few years, I have realised that my insulin resistance is getting worse and that diabetes is a real risk for PCOS so I have tried to reduce my sugar intake. I have noticed the cm loss of my waist; that’s the thing that I really wanted to reduce, so that all that fat store would reduce my insulin resistance and for it to not be a new organ in my body, sending me signals that I needed these foods.

“It has made me more aware of the sugar that is in foods that I cook for my children, so I have started making different choices for them, and to move away from easy foods to foods that might take a few more minutes to cook, but aren't processed.”

Luisa McGrath: “I did not enjoy the slight headaches earlier on in week 1, but if anything, that just shows you how addictive sugar really is,”

“Once you get past the first few weeks of detox you realise your mood is affected by what you eat. I felt really good, not just in the achievement but the energy levels, feeling good in my body and the knowledge I now have. Once you get past the first few weeks of detox you realise your mood is affected by what you eat.”

And she’s not wrong – research shows sugar triggers our brain’s reward system – and here’s the scary part: it evokes a stronger reward response than  cocaine. It works by causing the release of dopamine, the “feel-good” hormone, into the brain, locking many of us into a dopamine hit-seeking cycle. 

Janice Mangas: “I used to eat whatever I wanted, the junkier, the better,” Janice said. “I realised that my anxiety was making me binge when I was down, and it only made things worse.”

“It changed everything, my overall bowel health is much better now, and my anxiety levels are more under control."

After understanding what was fuelling her urge to binge eat, Janice was finally able to address and treat the issue at hand. By cutting sugar out, she put a stop to the never-ending cycle of cravings.  

Sounds good, right? The next step is simply to sign up! We’ve put in the hard yards so you can enjoy the benefits of an extensive, wholistic program that covers everything from learning how to manage nutrition and mental health to social situations.

When you join us for the 8-Week Program you’ll have exclusive access to expert guidance, nutritional planning and support every step of the way. Take a peek at what’s on offer:

• 8 weeks of meal plans and shopping lists.
• A range of exclusive recipes, including sugar-free desserts, snacks and all the old favourites.
• Community forums to share and discuss your experience.
• Expert support to guide you through each week – from world-renowned chef Sarah Glover to yoga teachers, nutritionists and naturopaths. 

Sounds good, right? If you’re ready to transform your life, it’s time to get started with the 8-Week Program. JOIN NOW!