Deni Kirkova wins first place at Miss Galaxy Universe 2016 Having a body that's in good enough shape to win Miss Galaxy Universe is a dream many women may have. But how difficult is it? [caption id="attachment_448" align="alignnone" width="4000"] Deni Kirkova on stage at Miss Galaxy Universe (by Lowell M. / Galaxy Universe Organisation)[/caption] My best friend Vicky and I gave ourselves just 20 weeks to get into the shape of our lives before entering a prestigious fitness competition - the Miss Galaxy Universe European Championships 2016. As well as five training sessions a week, we led a vegan diet, eating tofu, pulses, quinoa and oats and banning all meat and animal products. I'd been an ethical vegan for a year so this didn't bother me at all. I lost 20lbs, going from 10st to 8st 9lbs and taking four inches off my waist - and came away with first place in the Beach Body category at the O2 in London. [caption id="attachment_456" align="alignnone" width="4000"] Deni Kirkova wins on stage at Miss Galaxy Universe (by Lowell M. / Galaxy Universe Organisation)[/caption] I was by no standard overweight. But going from a regular-sized woman who works out when she wants and eats what she likes, to the discipline needed to become a ripped bikini competitor seemed daunting at first. I wasn't focused on winning, but just on working really hard to get results - so the fact that I did win was a huge shock; you could see it on my face! Once I was on board, I had to commit 100 per cent to competing in Miss Galaxy and having Vicky on board with me helped keep me focused. [caption id="attachment_464" align="alignnone" width="470"] Deni before and after (by Deni Kirkova)[/caption] [caption id="attachment_465" align="alignnone" width="470"] Deni before and after back (by Deni Kirkova)[/caption] I was especially glad to be taking on this challenge...