After being constantly bullied, one 18-year-old from Queensland, Australia, decided to lose close to 150 pounds to fit into her prom dress.
Josie Desgrand had low self-confidence due to being bullied about her weight in high school.
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Desgrand had a hard time making friends and hated the way she looked because she did not like going out in public.
When Desgrand was at her heaviest around two years ago — weighing 280 pounds — Desgrand was led to a decision to turn her lifestyle around, leading to her dramatic weight loss.
And this past summer, Desgrand both shocked and quieted her bullies at her prom — revealing her new body which was 140 pounds lighter.
Desgrand shared that it was a low carb, sugar-free diet that helped her lose weight. She told Daily Mail:
“I do not see this as a diet to lose weight, I see this as my new lifestyle change. Before losing weight I would constantly eat bread and wraps, ate huge portions and went back for seconds and thirds all the time. 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 63 kilograms. The first two weeks of eating healthy were so difficult but now it’s easy for me.”
And to give you some reference, 63 kilograms is close to 140 pounds.
Desgrand started out only exercising a bit while into the first few months of her weight loss journey but now goes to the gym three or four times a week and works with a personal trainer.
Desgrand says her focus is now on building muscle after losing the weight.
Desgrand posts selfies at the gym now along with what she has been eating on her very popular ‘nolongerfatjosie‘ Instagram account.
With over 66,000 followers — the account continues to grow each week, just one year after starting it.
Desgrand shares how its the messages from others that overwhelms her with support.
“I’ve been so honored to have inspired other people and help motivate them throughout their journey’s as others did for me.”
Desgrand is currently planning on writing a book regarding her weight loss experience. She also has created an online meal planner which is similar to the one she used during the earlier stages of her weight loss path.
And while Desgrand has lost the weight, she says the past two years have been difficult.
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“In these two years I have faced some very difficult challenges but I have chosen to pick myself up and keep moving.”
Desgrand also reminds those who are having a hard time with their weight that is is not a diet but a lifestyle change.
To follow Desgrand’s weight loss journey, you can pay a visit to her Instagram here.
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