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Home / Lifestyle

How Aussie teen managed to lose half her body weight

news.com.au
9 Mar, 2018 04:58 AM6 mins to read

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She has documented her weight loss journey on her Instagram account 'No Longer Fat Josie'. Photo / Instagram

She has documented her weight loss journey on her Instagram account 'No Longer Fat Josie'. Photo / Instagram

News.com.au have posted a number of inspirational weight loss stories over the past year, but few have impressed like that of Josephine Desgrand.

The story of the Queensland schoolgirl's dramatic weight loss was one of our highest rating stories last year.

New photos on her Instagram page show that the 17-year-old from Hervey Bay is going from strength to strength since dropping half her body weight over the course of a year.

Weighing 120kg at her heaviest, she now weighs a healthy 60kg.

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Her weight loss has been so impressive that she has made headlines around the world.

View this post on Instagram

Convince yourself you can... believe in yourself ! #nevergiveup #makeyourselfapriority #weightlossblogger #weightlossgoals #weightlossjourney #weightlosstransformation #weightlossmotivation #weightlossinspiration

A post shared by Josephine Desgrand (@nolongerfatjosie) on Mar 8, 2018 at 3:36am PST

Desgrand โ€” who used to have to ask for seatbelt extenders due to her weight โ€” says she has always been a foodie and would avoid all sports. While she didn't snack on junk food, she would consume large portions and eat quicker than her family. This habit resulted in her reaching her maximum weight of 120kg.

View this post on Instagram

Sunday beach vibes. ๐ŸŒŠ @lornajaneactive @ashleighkm

A post shared by Josephine Desgrand (@nolongerfatjosie) on Oct 7, 2017 at 11:39pm PDT

Her weight put her off normal activities. She resorted to shopping in "older" shops which made her feel depressed. Despite fitting into skinny jeans, she hated pictures of herself in them. One day she made the snap decision to cut out sugar and reduced her carbohydrate intake.

Her new way of living helped her achieve a slender new 8-10 dress size.

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She can now fit into her old jeans with her boyfriend, Morgan Pascoe (19).

"I'm a huge foodie. My portions were huge, and I used to eat so fast. Mum always used to tell me to slow down with my eating as I'd always be the first finished. I was also never interested in sport and would avoid it at all costs," Josephine said.

View this post on Instagram

Hello Friday!! Bring on the weekend ๐Ÿ˜œ๐Ÿ˜Š #beforeandafter #weightlossjourney #weightlosstransformation #weightlossmotivation @workhardxstayhumble

A post shared by Josephine Desgrand (@nolongerfatjosie) on Oct 26, 2017 at 9:01pm PDT

"I have an amazing family and we've had some wonderful experiences, but I was so unhappy with my weight.

"I would avoid clothes shopping as I would have to go into the older stores like Millers, which made me so depressed.

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"I remember finding skinny jeans that actually fit me. I tried them on and felt fantastic, until I saw a photo of me in them. I wanted so badly to lose weight, I just didn't do anything about it."

View this post on Instagram

Think about why you started...#weightlossjourney #beforeandafter #weightlosstransformation

A post shared by Josephine Desgrand (@nolongerfatjosie) on Oct 22, 2017 at 5:38am PDT

"I would go through cycles; wanting it so bad, then telling myself it was too hard to achieve and convincing myself that I was happy being overweight.

"Then one day, I stopped thinking about it and just did it. It sounds so easy. I googled so many transformations; I researched how I was going to do it.

"I was prepared, I wanted it so badly, and now I was waiting for the 'light bulb' moment when I wake up and want to go for a run, or I wake up and don't have any sugar cravings.

"I would look at my friends and be so envious of what they were wearing and what they could do. I used to worry about things like not fitting in seats and having to ask for seatbelt extenders."

View this post on Instagram

If you want it bad enough, make it happen! #beforeandafter #weightlosstransformation #weightlossjourney #weightlossnaturally #trainandtransform @trainandtransform @weightlosstransformations @weightloss_fatloss @transformationsdotcom

A post shared by Josephine Desgrand (@nolongerfatjosie) on Nov 11, 2017 at 7:10pm PST

After realising that her motivation would never come, she decided to transform her life forever.

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"I cut sugar completely and reduced my carb intake. Sugar was the main thing. I tried many diets beforehand, but I never stuck to them," Josephine said.

"I did some research into sugar and was shocked at the amount of sugar I used to consume; it seemed to be in everything.

"Making the decision to cut it out of my diet was the best decision of my life. It was very difficult at first; the first two weeks were so hard, but pure determination saw me through. Then it became a habit."

View this post on Instagram

Tell me I can't and I will show you I can. ๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿผ#beforeandafter #weightlossjourney #cleaneating #weightlosstransformation #weightlossnaturally #thebodycoach

A post shared by Josephine Desgrand (@nolongerfatjosie) on Oct 7, 2017 at 5:16pm PDT

"I read an article the other day that said sugar is as addictive as drugs. That's crazy, but I completely believe it.

"It has completely changed my life; I no longer hide, I have so much more confidence. I played a lead role in a high school musical last year, which is something I never would have done before, as I was so shy and embarrassed about my weight.

"I can walk into any shop of my choice and buy clothes that I love. The energy I have now is incredible. Sometimes I wake up in the morning and just smile."

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View this post on Instagram

The most amazing things can happen if you donโ€™t quit! Keep going โœŒ๏ธ#transformationtuesday #weightlosstransformation #weightlossnaturally #weightlossjourney #weightlossinspiration #2018isyouryear

A post shared by Josephine Desgrand (@nolongerfatjosie) on Jan 2, 2018 at 12:50am PST

After finding Joe Wicks, AKA the Body Coach, on Facebook, Josephine started working out two to three times a week for 20 minutes each day.

She now eats smaller portions of food like eggs for breakfast, chicken salad, quiche, sweet potato or steak for lunch and dinner.

View this post on Instagram

I have never shared this photo before. Iโ€™m pretty sure I never intended to! I have been so overwhelmed by all the support, encouragement and love from around the world and feel I no longer need to hide it! One of the main things that kept me motivated was my transformation photos. I would take them weekly and look for differences. In the last year Iโ€™ve made some huge lifestyle changes and Iโ€™m so thrilled that I can inspire others and contribute to their journeys in some way. Thank you so much for sharing my story, for your messages, and for sharing your own personal journeys with me. Be kind to yourself and donโ€™t give up! #weightlossjourney #weightlossnaturally #weightlossinspiration #weightlosstransformation #courage #dontgiveup

A post shared by Josephine Desgrand (@nolongerfatjosie) on Jan 14, 2018 at 9:13pm PST

"The hardest thing was my sugar addiction. Making it through those first few weeks was painful; I was grumpy, I was tired, and I wasn't fun to be around at all," she said.

"I avoided going out with friends, I stayed at home and sulked. Then day-by-day it became easier, it became a habit.

"The support has been incredible. I'm still blown away by the encouragement I receive. I've had people from all over the world share their journeys with me.

"A lady sent through her transformation photos last week; she has lost 30kg since reading my story and talking to me, which is incredible.

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"My advice is to just do it. Start. Stop putting it off. Imagine yourself months from now. It's certainly not an easy journey, but it's well worth it. If I can do it, anyone can."

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