Nurse Laura scrubs up as Miss Scotland bodybuilding champ

Published on Tuesday 19 May 2009 09:41

MOST nurses find a mug of milky tea and a chocolate biscuit or two helps them get through a busy shift.

But for award-winning body-builder Laura Irving, tea breaks at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary are strictly limited to glasses of water, or, on the odd occasion, a quick fix of double espresso to keep energy levels up.

She said: "I never get used to it to be honest. Some people do, but I struggle as I really do love food."

Staff nurse Irving, 28, from the Southside, was crowned Miss Scotland last weekend in the trained figure category of the National Amateur Body-Builders' Association's area show, held in Glenrothes.

It is the second year in a row that the full-time nurse has walked away with the coveted title, filling her with optimism for the British championships at the end of the month in Southport.

But the only way for Laura, originally from Silverknowes, to achieve in her field is by sticking to a gruelling fitness and diet regime which sees her eat only turkey, green vegetables and oil supplements and train for more than four hours a day.

As a full-time nurse at the ERI's orthopedic trauma theatre, it is far from easy fitting this into her life, but her colleagues are a constant pillar of strength.

She said: "Without the support of the people I work with I could not do this. They understand my training, the fact I have to eat every two hours, and they are very flexible with time off for competitions.

"If it wasn't for all of the support I have had, I don't think I could ever have competed."

Laura began competing as a body builder in 2007 – around the same time she completed her nurse training at Napier University and began at the ERI.

But her love of fitness is far from new, Laura has danced since childhood and worked as a personal trainer, which included a period in Saudi Arabia, training princesses and other members of the royal family. Unlike many bodybuilders, Laura incorporates dancing into her performance routine.

She said: "My dad used to do weight lifting and he had a multi-gym in the garage which I used to workout with.

"I loved it – that's when I got a taste for this."

As well as her work colleagues – many of whom were there to celebrate with her when she was crowned Miss Scotland – she is constantly supported by her dad Ian, mum Barbara and brother Scott, as well other family members and friends, including her professional body-building boyfriend Michael O'Hanlon.

Her next competition will be just three days after her 29th birthday and she is working as hard as possible to return to the Capital with a victory.

She said: "I'd like to be in a good position for a title and I hope my hard work shows on stage.

"I won't be able to have any birthday cake though – definitely not."

LAURA'S DAY

Before work: One-hour cardio workout.

&#149 Eight-hour shift as a theatre nurse at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.

&#149 After work: a 45-minute power walk to the gym, followed by a one and-a-half-hour workout.

&#149 Day ends, before getting home, with a power walk around Arthur's Seat, with leg weights, lasting an hour and 15 minutes.

&#149 Weekends (rest time): 6am-9am at a dance session.

&#149 Diet: Water, turkey, green vegetables, coffee and supplement oils.