There was a time in Jason Owen’s life where eating was almost an around the clock pursuit.

The popular country music singer was used to tucking into junk food and drinks late into the night following gigs and then waking up to a huge breakfast the next morning. Burgers, chips, chocolate and soft drink were all on the daily menu.

However, following a rude wake up call, the former X Factor star is now a staggering 34kg lighter, weighing in at 96kg – the first time he has been under 100kg in a decade. And it was all due to a photograph. Jason’s wife Becy also joined him on the journey on the same program and has lost 13kg since giving birth in March.

“Back in February a fan took a picture of me at my Newcastle show at Lizotte’s Nightclub and posted it my Facebook page for all to see,” said Jason, 28.

“I was so stunned at how heavy I looked. At that point I was 130kg – the heaviest I’ve ever been. I knew I had to do something about it, particularly as my daughter Lyla was due in March and I wanted to be a fit, happy dad,” he said.

“I crash dieted on my own and lost 5kg in a month. However, I was terrified I would just put the weight back on. I joined Jenny Craig in March and started their new Max Up program and I knew I had to lose weight the healthy way.

“It’s been so incredible – I lost over 7kg in just the first four weeks and continued to lose weight ever since. Like many guys I thought I could lose weight myself without help, but soon realised I didn’t know what I was doing! My amazing Jenny Craig coach Louise taught me so much about what and how much I should be eating and exercising.”

In stark contrast to his unhealthy late-night habits, Jason also embraced intermittent fasting – which is part of the new program. “I didn’t know anything about intermittent fasting but it’s been so easy. I have dinner at 7pm and then fast for 12 hours until 7am the next day when I eat the Recharge Bar provided which keeps me going for ages.

“I then eat a breakfast at 11am, a lunch a bit later on and dinner along with some snacks. Eating during this period has really helped to regulate my metabolism and appetite and I no longer have insane hunger cravings.”

Apart from his huge weight loss the singer is also currently riding high with the success of his latest single Country Heroes which celebrates the hard work the unsung workers of Australia – the firefighters, nurses and teachers throughout the past challenging 12 months.

“It’s also about being the hero in your own life. I really wanted to be that hero for not only myself but for my daughter Lyla. Losing weight has had such a positive effect on me. I’m walking every day and it’s given me such a renewed focus. It’s honestly the best thing I’ve ever done.”