A FITNESS fanatic from Greenock has become an online sensation after sharing the training regime which transformed her.

Lucy Mains from Braeside has amassed thousands of followers on social media after posting 'then and now photos of herself on Instagram.

The 19-year-old says she is the healthiest and strongest she's ever been after changing her diet and lifting weights.

She said: "Going from the photo on the left, barely eating anything a day and not being in the greatest place mentally, to the photo on the right, at the best place mentally and eating 3,000 calories a day makes me beyond proud of myself.

"I've worked hard to get to where I am now.

"I feel empowered, strong and my confidence has grown a lot."

Lucy, who does shifts as a fitness advisor at Inverclyde Leisure, is studying for an HND in Fitness, Health and Exercise at City of Glasgow College with ambitions of becoming a personal trainer.

She used the knowledge gained from her course to redesign her diet, exercise, and outlook.

She said: "I’m really proud of where I’ve come from to where I am now.

"It’s really been a massive improvement and change in my life and I hope I can inspire others to do what I’ve done.

"Even if I can help just one person using my experience and my knowledge from college, that would make me so happy."

Lucy has already received requests for online coaching and advice from several of her 10,000-plus followers on Instagram, while 1,000 people have subscribed to her You Tube site.

She has also been headhunted to be one of the ambassadors for a leading sports nutrition brand.

Lucy said: “I couldn’t believe it when my post went as viral as it did.

“I’m still studying, with the help of my amazing course and brilliant lecturers, to be the best personal trainer I can be and this level of publicity will really help me get to where I want to be.”

Iain Houston, associate Dean of health and fitness at City of Glasgow College, has praised Lucy.

He said: “Lucy’s lecturers and classmates are very proud of all her achievements.

“She is a great student whose life experience has informed the way she applies herself to her studies.

“I’m sure she’ll make an excellent and highly successful personal trainer.”