London: She's spent years bulking up in a bid to be a world champion bodybuilder. But now Rene Campbell, 35, claims that her muscular physique has stopped her from finding love, and for the past nine years she has remained single.
The self-confessed 'Bigorexic' from Brighton, who has two children from a previous marriage, says that most men are turned off by her stacked 13.st 5lb appearance and find it difficult to cope with her regimented lifestyle.
Ms Campbell, who boasts 26 inch thighs and size 18 shoulders, works out intensively for two hours a day and sticks to a strict meal plan, which sees her eating seven chicken breasts and consuming 4,200 calories in the space of little more than 12 hours.
While she is proud of the way she looks, the divorcee says her appearance also has its downfalls.
'I’m single at the moment after splitting with my ex-husband – dad to my two sons – nine years ago. I’d love a boyfriend who could cheer me on at competitions and cook my chicken for me, but the way I look does make it harder to meet men.
'But what makes having a relationship even harder is finding someone who can put up with my regimented lifestyle.
'I was dating two years ago, but the guy struggled with the fact that I had to put my training first,' she told Now Magazine:
Ms Campbell describes that she now feels 'married' to the bodybuilding industry.
The British national champion, who was no stranger to sports after years of long distance running and triathlons, first started bodybuilding in 2008, as she began to idolise women with muscular strength.
She set her self the task of becoming Britain’s biggest female bodybuilder and gradually her slender frame transformed as she tripled her calorie intake and sought the help of a personal trainer.
She now loves exhibiting her strong body and feels more confident than when she was a slender size 8.
She adds: 'For the first time in my life, I feel comfortable in my own skin. I can’t ever imagine being thin again – I’m so much happier this way. For now, I guess I’m married to the industry.'
RENE'S DAILY DIETEARLY MORNING: Raw oatmeal with protein powder; banana and omega- 3, 6, 9 oils shake
BREAKFAST: 200g chicken breast; 220g sweet potato; 50g broccoli
MID MORNING: 200g chicken breast; 220g sweet potato; 50g broccoli
LUNCH: 200g chicken breast; 220g sweet potato; 50g broccoli
MID-AFTERNOON: 200g chicken breast; 220g sweet potato; 50g broccoli
LATE AFTERNOON: 200g chicken breast; 220g sweet potato; 50g broccoli
DINNER: 200g chicken breast; 220g sweet potato; 50g broccoli
LATE NIGHT: 200g chicken breast; 220g sweet potato; 50g broccoli
