There are countless reasons why someone might wish to shed some pounds.
It could be for health improvements, to fit into specific clothing sizes, or simply due to the societal pressure associated with being overweight.
For Josie Desgrand, a young girl from Australia, Instagram was the catalyst. At just 16 years old, she weighed 280 lbs and realized she needed to make a change. Unhappy with her appearance, she often found herself comparing herself to the slim, beautiful models that filled her Instagram feed.
She had attempted various diets in the past, but her inability to maintain them left her trapped in a cycle of self-loathing and unhealthy eating habits.
Eventually, she resolved to take action …
In an interview with Bored Panda, Josie shared her moment of realization.
“I went into my room and took off my clothes down to my underwear,” she recounted. Then she made a promise to herself. “No more fat Josie.”
“I took photos of myself from different angles, feeling excited about my upcoming weight loss journey. I used a tape measure and recorded my measurements, fully aware that I had a long road ahead, but I wanted to document every change, no matter how minor.”
Josie established small goals for herself and started monitoring her progress. Soon enough, the 16-year-old began to see changes in various areas. She switched to a low-carb, no-sugar diet and increased her water consumption.
With her dad – who also embarked on his own weight-loss journey – she managed to reduce her weight to 198 lbs solely through dieting.
At that point, she decided to elevate her efforts by signing up for a gym.
She remarked: “Exercising at the gym provided me with the additional motivation to achieve my target weight.”
Rather than being a cause for jealousy and sadness, Instagram turned into one of Josie’s biggest sources of inspiration. She started to gain followers who were eager not just to witness her transformation, but also to receive tips and advice.
“I posted my meals and progress on my Instagram handle @nolongerfatjosie. My follower count soared, and each one was more encouraging than the previous. ‘You look amazing!’ they commented. ‘Yum, do you have the recipe?’”
“With supporters from all over the globe joining me on my journey, quitting never crossed my mind. I dedicated an hour each evening to reply to everyone. Having been in their shoes before, I was determined to assist as many people as possible. ‘Keep pushing,’ I would respond when someone felt like giving up.”
The transformation
Currently, Josie tips the scales at approximately 138 lbs, which is less than half of her former weight. What started as a diet has evolved into a lifestyle change that Josie has truly benefited from.
Still skeptical? Take a look at the photos below:
What an amazing change brought about by a highly motivated young woman. She serves as an inspiration for individuals seeking to make a change worldwide.
