SHE has undergone an amazing transformation – and now a determined woman has been declared the winner of a bodybuilding competition following her incredible weight loss.

Louise Finlayson was given the top spot in the body transformation category in the Pure Elite contest, held in Kent last month, after spending nine months on a gruelling weight-loss regime.

The 25-year-old decided she needed to shift the pounds after leaving the Army, where she had worked as a mechanic.

She said: “I moved to Basingstoke in January and I was so sick of being as large as I was. I was 75.5kg (11.8 stone) and size 14-16. I wasn’t really big but I had just left the Army, and my weight had gone up considerably.”

Louise, from Wootton St Lawrence, joined Basingstoke Sports Centre, where she met gym instructor Duane Hanson, who helped her on her weight-loss journey.

Duane said: “When Louise appro-ached me back in February and said she wanted to enter the competition, I took one look at her physique and thought ‘this is going to be hard’. But she did get there, and she proved me wrong.”

Louise, who is studying special effects at Southampton University, completely changed her diet to lose the weight.

She said: “Before, I used to eat a lot of chocolate – I was a chocolate fiend. I had tried every diet going. I tried the shakes and tried food I had read about in magazines, but it wasn’t until I found out what is good for you that I realised that they contain hidden sugars. I educated myself. Now I eat a lot of chicken and turkey.”

Louise, who worked incredibly hard to prepare for the competition, added: “You have to be in amazing shape to do it. I was sceptical, but with Duane’s help and determination I managed to get all the weight off.”

Louise lost a total of three stone, dropping to 56kg (8.8 stone) – a size eight. And her new, toned figure was fully on show when she took part in the Pure Elite contest, parading on stage in a bikini in front of a panel of judges. She said: “It was such a shock to win – but a good shock.”

Louise, who was presented with a trophy and vouchers, added: “I was absolutely amazed. It really made me feel that all the hard work had paid off, and all the hours of getting up early to do a run were worth it. I love going to the gym and eating healthy. I feel so much better.”

She now plans to keep the weight off so she can compete in more bodybuilding competitions in the future.