'˜Bodybuilding was a challenge... it meant cutting out the treats'

Leanne Hughes, from Fareham, decided to take part in a bodybuilding competition as a New Year’s resolution.

Now, nearly five months on, she’s toned, tanned and ready to compete against hundreds of other women in her first contest.

Leanne, an office admin assistant, is due to take part in the Over-163cm Bikini Class in the UKBFF South Coast Bodybuilding Show at the Guildhall on Sunday.

The 22-year-old said: ‘I felt like I wanted to achieve something this year.

‘I came across the competition, and being as I was already into fitness, I thought it would be a great opportunity to see if I could actually challenge myself and do it.’

Leanne took advice from a personal trainer and she has been training hard over the past few months. But she said the hardest part was changing her diet.

‘It meant cutting out a lot of food,’ she said.

‘Where I work in an office environment I have had to avoid a lot of celebration food and sweet treats, especially on people’s birthdays.

‘That’s been the most challenging part for me.

‘I have two brothers at home and they’re always eating rubbish, so there’s a lot of it in the house too. But luckily my mum’s been supportive and helped me keep on track.’

Since taking up her new regime, she’s lost nearly a stone and is feeling body confident, but is still a little nervous.

‘I’m really nervous, but excited at the same time,’ she said.

The annual show – a qualifier for the national competition – will see hundreds of people strike poses hoping to grab the judges’ attention. Last year, 268 competitors took to the stage.

Tickets cost £20. To buy go to ukbffsouthcoast.co.uk