Body Beyond Baby: Mum of the Moment

Without our wonderful mums and bubs Body Beyond Baby just would not be. Each month we like to celebrate your achievements and recognise the hard work that you put into your training and life as a mum. This month we would like you to meet our Mum of the Moment for November - Jasmin. You may recognise Jasmin as one of our joint winners of the 12 Week Winter Challenge.

Jas was nominated for Mum of the Moment by a number of other Body Beyond Baby mums who wanted to thank her for her support and motivation during the current 8 week challenge. This comment from Jade says it all, ’Jas, your food ideas, logs of your runs & home work outs, motivational posts & questions about what we're all up to have been great. I've followed your recipes, gone for runs because you've managed to squeeze them in & looked at how I could get more out of my challenge because of all your involvement. We don't know each other & we've only trained together a few times in the Saturday sessions, but its been nice to feel like we're all one big group doing this together - you get my vote.’

As a thank you to our Mum of the Moment and a congratulations for all of her hard work, Jas will receive a voucher for Plenty Kitchen and Tableware in Bondi Junction.

Meet Jasmin

Tell us a bit about yourself

Hi! My name is Jasmin and I am delighted to receive the Mum of the Moment award (actually I'm stunned!) I am the Mum to Layla (2 1/2 yrs old) and wife to Daniel. We live in Queens Park having both grown up in the eastern suburbs of Sydney. When I am not training or looking after Layla, I work part time as the Industrial Relations Manager for GrainCorp here in Sydney.

What made you decide to join your second Body Beyond Baby challenge - Find Your Summer Body?

I decided to join this challenge after the amazing success I had on the Watch Your Winter Waistline Winter Challenge. I lost just under 12kg in 12 weeks and apart from the weight loss, I can truly say that I found myself. Having struggled with my weight my entire life despite diets and trainers, I felt like I had finally found something that worked in a supportive environment of mums and now great friends. Continuing onto my second challenge felt like a 'no brainer'! I was on a roll and wanted to see how far I could go. At the end of the winter challenge, I was not only below my goal weight but lower than I could ever remember weighing.

What has been your Body Beyond Baby highlight so far?

My highlight would be my 15kg weight loss and the doors (physically, emotionally and mentally) it has opened. I feel like a new person, with new drive and purpose.

What has been your greatest challenge?

I can honestly say that going grain free, sugar free and training 6 days a week has not been my challenge. My greatest challenge has been actually accepting the change. When I look in the mirror, I often see the same person. It is only when I put on my old (fat) clothes do I realise actually how far I have come. For some reason I always imagined that losing the weight would make me a different person. In reality it has made me a better person - a better Mum, wife, sister, friend and daughter.

Tell us about your Stampede experience?

I am the first to admit that I don't like getting dirty or hurt so when the opportunity to run The Stampede arose, my hands were firmly by my side. However, having seen how much fun the girls who did Tough Bloke Challenge had, and wondering whether I could complete such a course, I decided to dedicate myself to the experience and use it as a training goal. I trained each Sunday for the preceding 8 weeks in addition to my 4-5 training sessions each week. I added a 5km run to my program (until now I have never been able to run but it was, and continues to me a goal) as well as training to complete the JP Morgan Corporate Challenge run in the days before the Stampede.

On the day of the Stampede, I was pumped. I was so proud of the effort I had put in and that I had arrived at the start line in great physical condition. The race itself tested me physically and mentally. When I saw the end of the 5km challenge approaching, I dug deep and realised that I was actually enjoying the experience and coping with the physical demands. As a result I decided to join the group and push on to the 10km course. The second half really challenged me physically and mentally. Having the girls in orange around me kept me going. Having Amy’s support throughout the course kept me going and on track. When I saw the finish line and the final mud crawl I was so excited. To have my husband watch me and cheer me on made me feel so proud. To be able to stand at the end of the challenge muddy, scratched, bruised and still smiling is a true testament that anything is possible! I had many thoughts while I was running, about all the things in life I have considered to be too hard and how if I could do this then maybe those things were also obtainable. I have to admit, I am an over achiever and hate to fail. If I commit to something, I do it 150%. Training and the Stampede was no different.

What has been your family’s reaction to your new fitness regime?

They are delighted. They have watched and supported me over the years as I tried all different things. I had my first gym membership at 14 years of age and despite all of my efforts, I have been overweight for as long as I can remember. Overall, they are happy to see me happy and that I have been able to overcome the burden of weight in the process.

How do you feel when you receive such supportive comments from mums you hardly know?

Now I am blushing! One of the reasons I really got into making this life change was because I too was inspired by a former work colleague in Brisbane who changed her diet and exercise with amazing results. She inspired me to ensure Layla ate well and that I set a positive example for her.

This comment reminds me of why I consider myself a member of the Body Beyond Baby community. I have run and exercised with countless groups, but Body Beyond Baby has brought a different dimension. I consider my training with the group to be about my physical and mental health too. I love seeing my new training friends and building new relationships in person and on facebook. Having such an amazing group of friends as a support network keeps me going. I can only hope that my journey continues to inspire others and in turn they also provide further inspiration to other Mums.

8) Do you have anything else to add?

Lately, people stop me to ask how I lost the weight. What I like to tell them is that I have been on a long journey. There have been ups and downs, success and failure. Despite the experience, I feel that I have finally found something that works. Everyone is different and their journey will be different. Overall, I came to realise that I had been in an abusive relationship with food for all of my life. Despite the love I showed these foods, all they did was treat me badly. So, I gained the courage to break up with my bad habits and started a new life. There is no looking back for me now. All I have to decide is what my next challenge will be.

A huge thanks to Jen for her friendship, support, guidance, motivation and energy. I have met many trainers but not many who are passionate about bigger issues and run such a professional business. The Body Beyond Baby model appeals to me on so many levels - professionally, morally, physically and emotionally. I am proud to be a member and hope to inspire others to join my journey. Without the BBB Mum Community, the benefits and support would not be the same. I look forward to celebrating at the end of year party with you all – my new friends and motivation xxx.

Mum of the Moment is proudly sponsored by