Courtney Hall was struggling with poor mental and physical health in a stressful job when she decided it was time to make a change. Find out how the 8-Week Program transformed her life. 

How she did it.

This mum of 4 was living a sedentary lifestyle, working in sales role that consistently kept her cortisol levels up, and as a result, she had little time to dedicate to her diet and lifestyle. After learning of the I Quit Sugar 8-Week Program, Courtney knew it was time to prioritise her health and start making some changes. 

She says the program offered a solution that was doable and not too intimidating to fit into her hectic schedule. 

“I felt that 8 weeks seemed enough to see a change but not an overwhelming or daunting time frame.”

One of the hardest challenges for Courtney has been navigating the sugar-laden world of eating out and buying packaged goods. 

“Sugar is hidden everywhere,” she says, “I try to order basic food when I am out, dressing on the side, it does take longer to shop or you have to make your own so I try to be quite organised.”

Why she did it.

Courtney was burdened by the cycle of emotional eating and struggled with “how addictive sugar/fructose really is.” But while she was eating to soothe her stress, the sugar was actually causing the opposite effect. Though the dopamine hit provides a temporary high, most of us know the crash that inevitably follows. In fact,  a study found people who drank 2 sugary soft drinks a day had cortisol levels 22% higher than those who did not. This means that sugar and stress go hand in hand, and the best way to strip sugar of its power is to quit it. 

Weight loss was also an important goal for Courtney, and upon completing the program, she was happy to see the numbers on the scale had gone down. While eating fats has been demonised in diet culture, we believe they play a vital role in managing sugar cravings and keeping us fuller for longer. Sugar, on the other hand, is the biggest culprit in weight gain.  Studies prove a link between obesity and excessive sugar consumption, also finding that it can lead to the development of  visceral fat.

Obesity is just one of the many conditions that result from a sugar habit, here are some of the others:

1. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): When thinking of liver disease, many think the cause is a few too many beers after work, but it can be surprising to know that NAFLD is  projected to become the become the leading cause of cirrhosis. 
2. Autoimmune diseases: Sugar is a major contributor to conditions like lupus and psoriasis due to its inflammatory properties. 
3. Mental health conditions: Anxiety and depression are worsened by sugar intake, and long-term excessive consumption has been known to have devastating effects on mental health. 

Courtney’s favourite things about joining the program. 

1. Weight loss.
2. Learning how to live a healthy lifestyle for her and her children.

“I think overall my children don't consume anywhere near as much sugar as their peers.” 

1. Management of cravings.
2. Receiving recipes and meal plans for delicious dishes.
3. Improving mental health and motivation.

The takeaway: Courtney’s advice.

Courtney shares that while falling off the wagon happens sometimes, it’s nothing to be ashamed about and it’s always possible to hop back on.

“Every time I fall off, I pull myself up quicker and detox gets easier,” Courtney says. “Almost like my body is like ok, yeah I know what's happening here, all good.”

She says that after going through the program and learning useful techniques to manage cravings, she is now able to have the occasional dessert without getting stuck in a cycle of binging. That is one of the wholistic elements of our 8-Week Program is learning how to safely reincorporate sugar into your diet, while still enjoying the benefits of a healthy mind and body.  

“I am not as strict with my sugar intake for example if I go out and want a normal dessert I have it but that would be no more than 1-2 times a month,” Courtney says. “The rest of the time I eat pretty cleanly and am learning to eat intuitively.”

“Trust the process, be accountable but also be kind to yourself.”

Join Us.

If Courtney’s story has inspired you to get started on your own health journey, it’s time to sign up for our 8-Week Program. With experts guiding you every step of the way and a friendly community to lean on, now is the time to finally kick that sugar habit. It’s possible, we promise.   

Take a look at what’s on offer:

1. A holistic approach to wellness. 
2. 8 weeks of meal plans and shopping lists.
3. 90+ member-only recipes.
4. Each week has a structured focus to help you succeed.
5. Community forums for support and care.
6. Support from us, the I Quit Sugar team.

8-Week Program Registrations NOW OPEN!

Join our program HERE and transform your health!