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AN NHS worker who thought she was "chubby" has won a title at one of the biggest bodybuilding contests in the world.

Natalia Jaremko, from Penrhyn Bay , was crowned Miss Toned Figure in the Miss Nabba Universe competition.

Last November NABBA Universe - which is restricted to amateur bodybuilders - celebrated its 70th birthday, and over the years has attracted the likes of Arnold Schwarzenegger to compete.

Natalia, 31, who grew up in Ukraine and Poland, settled in Wales when she was 18, after her step-father found work here.

The health service recruitment consultant can speak five languages, including Welsh, says she only started bodybuilding in 2013 after developing knee pain through running.

"I took up running as I was quite chubby and rounded. I was about a size 12-14," said Natalia.

"I started running six miles a day and in four months I dropped to a size four, but I didn't really like being so skinny and I developed joint pain and so that's how I got into weightlifting.

"I loved it that I could see the results pretty quickly, and I feel much fitter now than I ever did with running."

When she started weight training six years ago Natalia could squat around 60kg, now she can squat an impressive 140kg.

"I go to the gym around four times a week, at the moment as I'm not competing I have about 18% body fat but when I'm competing I go down to about 7% body fat."

To maintain her stunning physique, Natalia eats around 3,500 calories a day, dining on lots of lean chicken, steak, rice, vegetables and eggs.

"I eat about six times a day and it's all very healthy, although I do allow myself to have a bowl of Coco Pops after I've been to the gym," she said.

"I train at Wells Gym in Llandudno , and I help train some other women too and my partner, Simon, has also got into it.

"It's good because when I first started all this, it was a very much male dominated sport but now loads of women are getting into it, and that's great."

Natalia is very proud of her success in Birmingham in November and she intends to build on it: "I love flying the flag for Wales, it's where I live and I have no plans to go anywhere else.

"I also love competing and being on the stage. My future plan is to become professional and do it for a living full-time."