Overweight Melissa Beer has lost nearly five stone and sailed into a new career.
SHE had to run fast, swim well and perform dozens of sit-ups.
Melissa Beer also had to weigh less than 69kg and have a "healthy" body mass index.
Now the 23-year-old from Loscoe has achieved her dream – and joined the Royal Navy.
"I go to Plymouth on May 25," beamed Melissa, who was once a size 22. "And I still can't quite believe it."
In 2012, Melissa, of Loscoe Grange, weighed a hefty 15st 9lbs and had a shocking BMI of 40.1.
Now she is a petite 10st 12lbs and her BMI is a healthy 28. She is also a stunning size 10-12.
"Losing all this weight has not been easy," said Melissa, who works as a clinical and optical assistant in an opticians.
"But I was desperate to get a career and all I've ever wanted to do was join the Royal Navy.
"Initially, I knew it was pointless applying because I knew I'd have to get through the fitness test.
"The first thing I had to tackle was my weight and that is something which has bothered me since childhood.
"But as it started to come off, I suppose I started to see that my ambition could actually be possible."
Melissa, who is only 5ft 2in tall, joined Derbyshire-based Booticamp Babes in 2012. Her mission was to trim down, raise her self-esteem and stop feeling sad.
"I was so unhappy," said Melissa. "My self esteem had hit rock bottom and I was really not very happy. I hated being so big and my weight just kept going up.
"I went to see the team at Booticamp Babes and I was put on a clean eating meal plan.
"I swapped junk food for fresh food and the weight started to go. I went to three, sometimes four fitness classes a week and after a month I could see a huge difference.
"My first goal was to get below 13 stone and I did that quite easily. After that, I set myself another goal which was to get fit enough to apply to join the Royal Navy.
"I wanted it so much I don't think anything would have stopped me."
Melissa knew the fitness test would be tough – and it was.
She had to run 1.5 miles in less than 13 minutes and 15 seconds. She had to complete a swimming test and interviewers needed to see she could complete a series of sit-ups and press-ups.
"I knew I could do it," said Melissa. "But that's only because of Sarah and Julie at Booticamp Babes.
They were wonderful. I've been working out so much and I knew that I'd potentially pass the fitness test."
Melissa swapped fast food for healthy food and cut alcohol from her diet for more than three months.
Now all she drinks is green tea and water.
She lives on gammon and chicken and vegetables. For a huge treat, she says she might have a few chips – but not often.
"I'll never go back to what I was," she said. "I hated being big. I cried every day at school. I was bullied all the time because of how big I was. I was overweight and people made fun of me. The kids at school could be so cruel and it hurt me so much.
"At the age of 10 I was 10 stone. When I got to 11, I was 11 stone. I was always big and I always worried about how I looked.
"I had tried to lose weight a bit before, but you've got to be very determined.
"In 2012, something just snapped inside me. I said to myself, 'this is it – it's time to do it'.
"Before I knew it, I'd enrolled with Booticamp Babes and I'd started to get fit and eat better.
"It has been the making of me. I can't tell you how I feel. I know that I look a million miles better than I did.
"I'm wearing size 10 and size 12 clothes. I can't remember ever being able to buy those sizes."
Melissa, who lives with her dad, leaves Derbyshire at the end of May. She is throwing a farewell party for family and friends. It is going to be a tearful event.
"I'm going to miss everyone," she said. "My best friends keep telling me to stay. They want me to tell the Navy that I'm not coming – but I can't do that.
"I've worked so hard for this. I want it more than anything. From the moment I started thinking about careers, I wanted to join the Navy."
The Royal Navy's basic training lasts for 10 weeks and then Melissa will embark on a further 19-week training course.
After that, it is likely she will be based in Plymouth.
"I'll go anywhere," she beamed. "I'm ready for this. I've wanted it all my life and now it's here. If I get to travel a bit then I'd love that.
"I could be on a ship and I could be based anywhere in the UK. I'm very, very excited."
Sarah Whitehead, founder of Booticamp Babes, said: "Julie and I are delighted that Melissa has achieved such fantastic results. We are really proud of her.
"We will be really sad to see her go, but at the same time we are so proud of her. She is furthering her dreams and that is wonderful."
