A bodybuilder who won the title of Miss Britain 15 years ago has made a sensational comeback after a gruelling battle with cancer.
Sandi Birkett, from Winshill, started bodybuilding in 1985 after a struggle with an eating disorder.
The 52-year-old, who works at the National Healthcare Centre, in Stapenhill, said: “I saw a local contest which gave me an insight into bodybuilding. I thought I might as well have a go and that is where it started really.
“Bodybuilding gave me the control over my weight and how I looked and put discipline into my life. It was also very educational and taught me about my muscles and the human body.”
A keen cyclist and runner, Sandi began to compete as a bodybuilder and won her first title as Miss Britain in 1991, but tragedy struck when she was later diagnosed with endometrial cancer, which is cancer of the womb.
She said: “I thought it was something I had eaten but I had actually had an ectopic pregnancy. Further health complications meant that I was not diagnosed with cancer until much later as the abnormal cells were behind my cervix.”
After battling the gruelling disease, Sandi made the brave decision to return to the bodybuilding scene.
She said: “It was terrifying and I never thought I would get back on that stage again. I didn’t plan on a comeback but bodybuilding and fitness is my life and the passion was still there. It took some work but I decided to try again.
“It was a big thing for me to come back this year. I wanted to return to the stage in memory of my mentor Bill Hemsworth, who always believed in me. He always wanted me to get Miss Universe so that is my ultimate aim.”
Her decision to return to the sport ‘shocked’ friends and family. She said: “Their response was, ‘Oh no not that again, you are too old’. But age is just in the mind and I feel strong enough.”
Despite her previous experience of traveling the world and taking part in world and European championships, Sandi maintains a different approach to training than she did when she competed in 1985.
She said: ” I am stronger aerobically and I try my best to get a balance. It is very tough in the last six to eight weeks. It’s a 4am start and then you have to do the usual stuff with the family as well. I also find it quite difficult to sleep due to the lack of carbohydrates.”
But some things remain the same. She added: ” I still have to keep to a very clean diet. I try different dieting techniques and rotate between no carbohydrates, lots of carbohydrates and using fat as an energy source. Fish works for me and I eat it with curly kale six times a day.”
Miss Birkett trains at Physique and Fitness gym, which is on the Rykneld Industrial Estate, in Stretton, where she maintains a regime of one hour cardiovascular exercise on a four days on, one day off rotation.
She believes that ‘bodybuilding is subjective’. She said “Because there is no finish line some people don’t consider it a sport.”
Sandi won the title of Miss Britain physique on November 15 and was awarded the title in front of her team in Manchester.
She said:”Getting to that stage I felt the tingle again. I will be taking time out to rest and spend some time with my family now, but next year I am going to try for the title of Miss Universe. My aim is to become Miss Universe. It is the biggest competition and I want that title.”
Courtesy of: Burton Mail