05 May 2022
Check out Jason Owen on The Morning Show talking about his weight loss journey and how he partnered with Jenny Craig to help him reach his goal. So far, he has lost 13kg in just 9 weeks!
Singer and new Dad, Jason Owen has lost an incredible 13kg in his first 9 weeks on Jenny Craig. Find out more about his motivation below.
Tell us about your motivation for losing weight?
I’ve carried around 25kg extra on my body for nearly seven years now and have felt horrible about myself for years as a result. I’ve felt both embarrassed and frustrated with myself at times, particularly being someone in the public eye. I’m the only person who can do something about it and I know I’ve put it off for way too long. I want to get back to a healthy weight for somebody my height (6’1”) and broad build which I feel ideally would around 100kg.
My motivations for losing weight is for both my physical and mental health. I’ve found that carrying around excessive weight is obviously pretty bad for your physical health and it can also lead to you potentially feeling bad about yourself. It can really affect you mentally making you feel very down and lost – it’s certainly impacted my mental health at times. I need to be fit and healthy to do shows on stage as a singer and I want to be able to keep on doing shows for the rest of my life.
Was there a particular moment or experience that made you decide to make a change?
On February 13th this year I had my first show back at Lizottes, Newcastle, NSW after COVID lockdowns and ongoing restrictions that have greatly impacted the entertainment industry over the past 2 years. A fan who attended the concert took a photo of me from up the front of the stage and later posted it online. When I arrived home later that night, I saw the photo circulating on my social media pages. I was so shocked and completely disappointed with myself at how I looked. I actually broke down in tears – all the years of insecurity hit me at once.
The next day I said to my wife Becy who was eight months pregnant at the time – I can’t live like this anymore, I need to do something for myself and for our new baby. I made the decision that from then on, I was going to lose weight for good.
Why did you choose Jenny Craig for your weight loss journey?
I have tried on many occasions over the years to drop weight fast. After the picture at Lizotte’s, I went on my usual rollercoaster panicking crash diet and once again shed some kilos quickly. However, I was nervous as I know it’s just not sustainable without any kind of balanced plan of eating and exercise.
Each time I have crashed dieted in the past; I’ve lost weight quite fast but then put it back on even quicker plus some more weight! I honestly believe people have the wrong idea when they go on diets to lose weight and that includes myself.
As a guy I also fell into that mindset of – I don’t need anyone else’s help. I’ll just eat less and workout like a madman at the gym for as long as I can and wing it. However deep down I knew all along that I was fooling myself. I really didn’t know what I was doing which is why I’ve tried and failed so many times before. I know now that I need help to maintain a happy and healthy life whilst attempting my weight loss journey. Jenny Craig is perfect for me because I don’t have to think about what the best food and meals are for me. I’m learning so much about my own body and what foods I can actually have in moderation to assist in weight loss. I also have such a fantastic coach in Louise at Erina on the NSW Central Coast who is just a delight to work with. She makes me feel so comfortable about myself and helps motivate me when times get a little hard. So far, it’s working a treat and has honestly made the world of difference.
What does a typical day on jenny Craig look like for you?
I work a lot from home, and it makes my life so much easier to not have to cook and worry about a healthy option to eat at home as the meals are already in the fridge/ freezer ready to heat up for any meal time.
I’ve never done intermittent fasting before and it’s truly been great!! With the plan that the Jenny Craig team provide it’s actually quite a breeze. Of course, when you think about fasting it’s a hard thing to get motivated to do. You wonder if you’re going to feel hungry, grumpy or tired, but it’s so far from the reality. On the Jenny Craig plan you are provided with a menu that includes meals and snacks throughout the day that makes the fasting overnight much easier. I honestly thought I might struggle a lot, but I haven’t – it’s been super easy.
I love the Recharge Bar! It’s really great and very tasty. I finish my dinner around 8pm at night and after I wake up in the morning at around 8am I have my Recharge Bar to break my fast. I then head to the gym for a few hours before coming home and having my official breakfast at around 10am. Eating the Recharge Bar gives me the energy to hit the gym after a 12 hour fast. I always leave there feeling great within myself.
How have you found the program so far?
I was so pleasantly surprised that I’ve had no struggles in my first four weeks on Jenny Craig. I’m being totally honest when I say that!! There is actually quite a lot of food that you can eat throughout a day to the point where I said to Bec – wow there really is a lot of food in this program!
Weighing in initially at 125kg I was worried I would struggle being hungry – but no. I have honestly had the best experience for my first 4 weeks with the food, adding in exercise and sticking to the Jenny Craig menu. As I lost 8kg in the first month, it’s been hugely motivating.
What would you say to those thinking about starting Jenny Craig?
DO IT!!! I honestly can’t recommend the Jenny Craig program enough, it has already started to change my life after just four weeks! Whether you’re a man or a woman – if you are fed up like I was and really want to lose weight start right now you absolutely won’t regret it.
