When Josie Desgrand was 16 years old, she weighed 280 pounds. At high school, she was constantly bullied over her weight, and it shattered her self-confidence. However, now the teenager, who hails from Queensland, Australia, has revealed a stunning transformation. Thanks to some healthy lifestyle changes, she has lost an incredible 180 pounds.
"I do not see this as a diet to lose weight, I see this as my new lifestyle change," Josie wrote in the caption to a before-and-after photo on social media. Today the 18-year-old weighs 132 pounds, a metamorphosis most people only dream of making. Josie credits her svelte figure to eating fewer carbs, eliminating sugar and ditching processed foods: "I stuck to a low carb, no sugar diet for TWO WHOLE years. I began to eat natural sugars about six months into my journey. In the first 12 months I lost 63kgs [138lbs]."
When Josie began her transformation, she did minimal exercise, but now she goes to the gym three or four times a week. The focus of her session is toning muscle. On social media, she describes her journey, hoping to inspire others. "The concept of weight loss is simple - ‘burn more calories than you consume’ but in reality it’s certainly not easy! For me, I had to change my mindset," Josie revealed. "In these two years I have faced some very difficult challenges but I have chosen to pick myself up and keep moving. Everybody has bad days, never let a stumble be the end of your journey. Stay positive."
Josie advises others to view losing weight as a lifestyle change, and has created an online meal planner so others can replicate her healthy diet. "I've been so honoured to have inspired other people and help motivate them throughout their journey's as others did for me," she wrote in one caption. She also revealed that her remarkable transformation was both physical and mental. "[Two years ago] 'I hated myself and the way I looked. I didn't have any friends and I just didn't like going out in public," she admitted.
At the high school prom, Josie showed off her new figure with a strapless, form-fitting gown. The students who mocked bullied her two years ago probably feel pretty foolish now. And it's all due to a change in perspective: "Find out what works for you, really take note of your body and how it responds to certain foods, exercise etc. treat your body like a temple and then make it your lifestyle. If you change your mindset, you will change your life, Josie advised on Instagram.
Josie plans to write a book about her experience, and continues to post updates on Instagram, where she goes by the hilarious handle "nolongerfatjosie." If you're struggling to lose weight, let her story be a source of inspiration. It's never too late to change. (And when you meet your goal, you can reward yourself, by buying a sparkly form-fitting prom dress.)