I was using sugar to survive. My father had recently passed away. I was looking after three teenage children and my elderly mother with dementia. Between work, HSC exams, formals, renovations, a sleep apnoea operation and taking care of an elderly neighbour, it was easy to neglect myself.

I worked out that I was having 10 cups of tea a day with 1.5 teaspoons of sugar each. That's 15 teaspoons of sugar a day from tea alone — plus a biscuit or cake with each. I started by just having half a sugar in my tea, and each time I'd put in a bit less. Eventually I stopped putting sugar in.

I lost 18kg in two months. It felt like it was dripping off me. People kept asking the secret to my glowing skin but I didn't even have makeup on. Even my hair was glossier. My husband also cut sugar out of his tea and coffee and lost 6kg.

My addiction started 20 years ago. I had two small children, leading to me living on sugary coffee and raisin toast. I would only eat low-fat products in a quest to be more healthy. But I had no idea I was consuming 35–50 teaspoons of sugar a day.

I had put on weight and felt tired ALL the time. It didn't matter if I slept 10 hours, I was dragging myself around come 3pm. I also felt like I needed to go to the toilet 80 per cent of the day. The doctor gave me an ultimatum: quit sugar or have surgery in a month.

I suffered headaches for four weeks. Then something amazing happened — I started to feel incredible. For the first time in 25 years, I was waking up refreshed. Just a month in, I went back to the doctor: my overactive bladder was no longer waking me up at night. Three months in, I was 100% symptom-free. I've also lost 16kg.

I can certainly say this program is the BEST thing I have ever done for myself and my body. Not even 8 weeks down and I have already lost 9kg, plus a reduction in my PMS/PCOS symptoms — decrease in pain and general moodiness. My skin is clearing up. I have more energy than I have had in years.

I've always struggled with 'lifestyle changes.' All my previous attempts were restrictive — calorie counting, carb timing, low fat, diet pills. I would lose 10–15kg just to put back on 15–20kg. With IQS, my journey has been completely different. I don't feel restricted at all, I very rarely feel hungry and finally feel like my body is in control of itself.

I am so inspired that I have actually decided to start a degree in Nutrition and Food Science. I have always been passionate about food and cooking, but this program has inspired me to finally follow my dream of becoming a Nutritionist.

I suffered metal poisoning from a hip replacement. My whole body felt inflamed. I only got two hours of broken sleep per night I was in so much pain. The worst time was around 2pm when all I wanted to do was sleep. Instead, I ate sugar. The turning point for me was eating four very large chocolate chip cookies in one sitting and still wanting more.

I decided to go cold turkey off sugar to see if it would help with the inflammation. Quitting sugar caused an amazing reaction in my body. The inflammation started to settle down. Because I was in so much pain I had to give up my business, but now I regularly spend six hours on my feet at my new job.

I no longer suffer from chronic pain and rarely need painkillers anymore. I also lost 12kg, but to be honest, that just seems like the cherry on top.

When I signed up I was worried it would be yet another thing I would try and fail at, but as the end is in sight I haven't strayed once and have no intention of stopping.

I experienced some night sweats, a few tears and a bit of random craziness in the first two weeks that left my poor husband a bit dazed and confused. But that was about the extent of it.

Health-wise I was up to about three migraines a week. To date: none. I haven't weighed myself (when I see weight loss I tend to reward myself with food) but I measure an inch less all over and my face is looking smaller and younger. I really feel like I have achieved 'food freedom.'