At just sixteen years old, Josie Desgrand, a girl from Queensland, Australia, decided she could no longer hide from the world. For many years, she had been hurt by the cruel words of classmates who made fun of her because of her weight. She felt small and invisible, overwhelmed by the perfect pictures she saw daily on Instagram that made her feel like she didn’t measure up. Josie weighed 280 pounds and felt trapped in a body that didn’t match who she truly was inside. She tried many diets, but none worked. Sometimes she felt motivated, but the feeling quickly disappeared, and each time she tried, disappointment followed. To feel better, she ate more, which made things worse. But then, one night, everything changed.
Josie went into her room, took off her clothes until she was just in her underwear, and looked at herself in the mirror. In that moment, she made a promise to herself: “No more being the ‘fat Josie.’” This was the moment her life began to change. She took photos of herself from every side, carefully wrote down her body measurements, and set one simple goal: to change her life, no matter how long it would take. Instead of thinking about losing a huge amount of weight all at once, she broke it down into smaller, easier goals. She told herself she just needed to do a little better every day.
Josie changed her eating habits. She stopped eating sugar and foods with lots of carbs, and she started drinking more water. She stopped eating processed snacks and drinking soda, which had been her go-to foods for years. The first weeks were very hard — she felt cravings, tiredness, and doubt about herself. But soon, she began to see progress. Her clothes started to fit better, her skin looked clearer, and she had more energy than before. This time, she didn’t give up.
Josie found a strong helper in her father. When she told him about her plans, he said he would join her on the journey. They kept each other responsible, helping and encouraging one another every day. As Josie grew stronger in her belief, her body changed. She lost weight through careful eating and sticking to her plan. She dropped from 280 pounds down to 198 pounds. Then she took another step forward and began going to the gym.
Working out gave Josie the extra push she needed. She didn’t want just to be thin; she wanted to be strong and healthy. As her body changed, so did how she used social media. Before, seeing perfect pictures made her feel bad, but now she used Instagram to show others her journey and inspire them. She created an account called @nolongerfatjosie, where she shared pictures of her meals, workouts, and progress. Her account quickly became popular, and thousands of people followed her story, cheering her on from all over the world. Josie shared everything honestly. When people sent her messages saying they felt hopeless, she told them what she had learned: real change begins the moment you stop giving up.
Each night, Josie spent an hour replying to messages from people who wanted advice or just a kind word. She understood how they felt because she had been there too. Helping even one person to believe in themselves again made it all worth it.
Over two years, Josie lost a total of 138 pounds, which was more than half her body weight. What started as a diet turned into a complete change in her life. Josie often reminds her followers that it’s not about being skinny — it’s about taking control and feeling alive again. Today, she weighs about 138 pounds and lives by a simple rule: discipline over motivation. She says, “You can’t wait until you feel ready — you just start, and the feeling will come later.”
Her story has inspired thousands, especially young women struggling with their self-image in a world that pushes perfection. Josie’s before-and-after photos tell a powerful story, not just about weight loss, but about strength, courage, and self-love. The shy girl who once hid behind big clothes now uses her voice to help others accept themselves and set healthy, real goals. She shares her journey with honest words reminding people that success does not happen overnight. It is built, one small choice at a time.
Josie’s father, who also lost a lot of weight alongside her, is still her biggest supporter. Together, they speak at schools and events about believing in yourself and building healthy habits. Josie’s message is simple: if you want to change your life, don’t wait for the perfect moment. Start now. Start small. Just start.
From a shy teenager who compared herself to perfect Instagram models to a confident young woman inspiring millions online, Josie Desgrand shows that true change starts long before the body changes. It starts with making a decision.
“Every photo I share now,” Josie says, “is not about showing off. It’s about showing others what is possible. If I can do it, anyone can.”