New mum reclaims bikini contest title

PREGNANT Cerys Dawes

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JUST six months after giving birth, mum Cerys Dawes has reclaimed her body and her British Bikini Champion title.

Cerys (25) was crowned the UK's bikini winner at the NAC Open UK Championships, at Middleton Arena, following an amazing transformation after the birth of her son Roman last October.

The nursery assistant, who trains at Hollinwood Gym, Chadderton, originally won the title in November 2015 and is now heading to represent the UK at the NCA Federation World Championships, in Valencia, Spain, on May 27.

Spurred on by her partner Dave Finnigan, a former Mr Britain Junior NCA, she decided to challenge herself to get back to fitness following her pregnancy and the bikini fit competition became her goal.

Cerys shed three stone, going from 11st 4lb at 39 weeks pregnant to 8st 2lb when she strutted on to the arena stage following her tough training.

She fitted in sessions when she could between Roman's feeds and sleeps, but it wasn't easy.

Cerys, who lives off Oldham Road, Middleton, said: "In the beginning, the training was fine but towards the end it got pretty stressful.

"Roman was teething as well and there were times when I just wanted to turn to chocolate to get through it, but I was determined to stay on track.

"I fitted in short sessions at the gym while Roman went to his grandma's. I started when he was two months old, just trying to get fit again, and then, with the show coming up, I decided to see if I could get fit enough to prove I could do it again. It's a combination of training and eating six small meals a day.

"Everyone told me to go for it and said I was an inspiration to others, so I thought 'why not?'

"I was absolutely stunned to win and so overwhelmed as there were some fantastic competitors who had worked really hard."

Cerys said the bikini crown is the icing on the cake of a hectic 18 months which have seen all her dreams come true.

"It's been amazing," she said. "Finding out I was pregnant after winning the last bikini competition was a massive surprise as I had stomach problems when I was 16 and was told I wouldn't be able to have children.

"Having Roman was fantastic, and now this - it's beyond my wildest dreams.

"I'm proud of what I've achieved and I'm also doing it for Roman.

"When he gets older I want him to see his mum and dad as an example of being healthy."