'If I can do it, ANY mother can': Woman challenges mums to overhaul their lifestyles like she did to lose 28 kilos and become a bodybuilder

  • Laura Dargaville, 29, weighed 83 kilograms when she decided to change
  • She said previously she thought she could never get a six-pack stomach
  • After completing a PT course, the New Zealander became a bodybuilder
  • Since then, the mother of two has won a competition 
  • She now wants to inspire other mothers and says: 'I'm just a normal mum' 

Laura Dargaville, 29, from Tokoroa, New Zealand, was like many other mothers until just a couple of years ago.

Weighing in at a fairly average 83 kilograms, she described herself as a 'normal mum' who spent her days focusing on being a mother, working and concentrating on her husband, James Kamana's, professional rugby career.

But when she and her partner moved temporarily to South Africa and Ms Dargaville found herself without a job, she said that for the first time in a long time, she focused on herself.

Mum tum: Laura Dargaville, 29, from Tokoroa, New Zealand, was like many other mothers until just a couple of years ago
Change: She weighed 83 kilograms and described herself as a 'normal mum'

Mum tum: Laura Dargaville, 29, from Tokoroa, New Zealand, was like many other mothers until just a couple of years ago; she weighed 83 kilograms and described herself as a 'normal mum'

Phenomenal: But just a couple of years later, she has totally overhauled her attitude to her life  - she has completed a Personal Trainer course and become a bodybuilder (pictured)

Phenomenal: But just a couple of years later, she has totally overhauled her attitude to her life - she has completed a Personal Trainer course and become a bodybuilder (pictured)

And so, the mum of two completely overhauled her attitude to her body and her mum tum, completing a Personal Trainer course in 2013 and winning a bodybuilding competition just two weeks ago.

'I've been in other mothers' shoes, looking at fitness magazines and Instagram and thinking, "I could never do that, I could never get a six pack",' the 29-year-old told Daily Mail Australia.

 'I've been in other mothers' shoes, looking at fitness magazines and Instagram and thinking, 'I could never do that, I could never get a six pack'

'I never had a six pack before I had kids, why on earth would I be able to get one afterwards? 

'But I now believe truly that the only limitations in life are the ones we put on ourselves.'

Ms Dargaville first got the urge to change her body when she was in South Africa and taking some time out from work.

Belief: She said that before she had kids, she never had a six pack, so why should she have one since having children? Ms Dargaville focused on her husband's (both pictured) rugby career

Belief: She said that before she had kids, she never had a six pack, so why should she have one since having children? Ms Dargaville focused on her husband's (both pictured) rugby career

Enrolling herself on an online personal training course in early 2013, she soon found out she was pregnant with her second son.

But undeterred, the determined mother continued on the course, using herself as a test dummy for 'helping other mums to lose their pregnancy or baby weight'.

By the time her first son, LeBron, was born, Ms Dargaville had lost 18 kilograms of weight.

Inspiration: Ms Dargaville first got the motivation to change her body in 2013, when she embarked on a PT course
Winner: She has now won a bodybuilding competition

Inspiration: Ms Dargaville first got the motivation to change her body in 2013, when she embarked on a PT course - she has now just won a bodybuilding competition (right)

However, it wasn't until Ms Dargaville had her second son that she set herself a second, more serious goal - a bodybuilding challenge.

 I'd actually say changing your body is 80 per cent nutrition and 20 per cent exercise

Just 13 months later, Ms Dargaville has lost a total of 28 kilograms and won the World Fitness Federation Women's Athletic Figure, qualifying her for the nationals in October.

She currently weighs around 55 kilograms when competing, or 56 in everyday life. 

'Leading up to the competition, I was quite strict,' Ms Dargaville explained.

Different: Ms Dargaville has now lost a total of 28 kilograms in total, and won the World Fitness Federation Women's Athletic Figure, qualifying her for the nationals in October

Different: Ms Dargaville has now lost a total of 28 kilograms in total, and won the World Fitness Federation Women's Athletic Figure, qualifying her for the nationals in October

'I would do around two hours of gym time six days a week, and would eat six small meals a day that were protein based.

'I had never eaten like that until then, but I learned that a lot of women don't actually eat enough and still hope to lose weight when their bodies are clinging on to the little food women give them.

'Nutrition is so important. I'd actually say changing your body is 80 per cent nutrition and 20 per cent exercise.'

And since winning the competition, Ms Dargaville says that she is as passionate about bodybuilding as she is about inspiring other mothers out there who want to be fit and healthy:

'We impose such limitations on ourselves once we've had kids,' she told Daily Mail Australia.

Attitude: According to Ms Dargaville, changing the shape of your body is about 80 per cent nutrition and 20 per cent exercise
Overcome: She wants to inspire other mums who feel insecure

Attitude: According to Ms Dargaville, changing the shape of your body is about 80 per cent nutrition and 20 per cent exercise - she wants to inspire other mums who feel insecure

'I'm just a normal mum, but I'm in the best shape of my life, and I'm pretty much 30. That's crazy! But if I can do it, any mother can.'

And now she has won the World Fitness Federation Women's Athletic Figure, Ms Dargaville has the privilege of representing New Zealand at other international events.

'It's been a lot of work, but it's truly amazing it's only taken two years,' she told Daily Mail Australia.

'I couldn't have done it without the immense help of my coach, Kaye O'Neill, or the support of my husband and family. 

'I have the nationals on my 30th birthday in October, which is really exciting.'

No holds barred: According to the mum of two: 'We impose such limitations on ourselves once we've had kids', but she says: 'If I can do it, anyone can'

No holds barred: According to the mum of two: 'We impose such limitations on ourselves once we've had kids', but she says: 'If I can do it, anyone can'

As for the future, Ms Dargaville believes it is possible to unite her love of being a mother with her passion for bodybuilding:

'Everything fits around me being a mum, but in five years time I would love to still be bodybuilding, preferably with a medal around my neck.'

And she hopes that she can inspire other mothers to be proud of their scars and stretch marks:

'I had never really been passionate about anything to do with work until I became a bodybuilder,' she told Daily Mail Australia.

'But I'm so passionate about this. If I can put my mind to achieving this, and manage it, I'd love to inspire other mums to do the same.'

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