Australian model La’Tecia Thomas happier at size 16

An Australian makeup artist and model has revealed why she is happier heavier as she shares a before and after photo.

La’Tecia Thomas, 26, who is originally from Melbourne, presented side-by-side photos of herself in an Instagram post.

‘I remember how unhappy I was in the picture to the left, I would loathe certain parts of my body – particularly my bum/ thighs because that was and is the hardest part of my body to loose,’ she wrote.

‘I had so many insecurities, I compared myself to other women and I lacked confidence.’

La’Tecia Thomas, 26, (pictured) presented side-by-side photos of herself in an Instagram post

Although the photos show the physical transformation that La’Tecia has made, the post discusses much more than that as she goes into detail about her mental health too. 

‘I was going through my phone and I found this old photo of me back when I was training to compete in a bikini competition.

‘So many people will look at this photo and make physical comparisons and say they would prefer me “before”.

‘I prefer me at any weight as long as I’m happy… Your mental health is just as important as your physical,’ she wrote.

Although the photos show the physical transformation that La'Tecia has made, the post discusses much more than that as she goes into detail about her mental health too

Although the photos show the physical transformation that La’Tecia has made, the post discusses much more than that as she goes into detail about her mental health too

'I prefer me at any weight as long as I'm happy... Your mental health is just as important as your physical,' she wrote

‘I prefer me at any weight as long as I’m happy… Your mental health is just as important as your physical,’ she wrote

In the photo there is an image of her looking stereotypically fit on the left, where she was an Australian size 10, and there is a curvier photo of her on the right at her current size of 16.

As a society we tend to associate skinniness with healthiness but La’Tecia clarified that she is happier where she is now.   

‘Since changing my outlook on life and learning to embrace who I am, I know that hypothetically if I were to go back to what I used to be I would be so much happier and content than what I was because I’ve learned to love me.’

As a society we tend to associate skinniness with healthiness but La'Tecia clarified that she is happier where she is now

As a society we tend to associate skinniness with healthiness but La’Tecia clarified that she is happier where she is now

'Since changing my outlook on life and learning to embrace who I am, I know that hypothetically if I were to go back to what I used to be I would be so much happier and content than what I was because I've learned to love me,' she said

'Since changing my outlook on life and learning to embrace who I am, I know that hypothetically if I were to go back to what I used to be I would be so much happier and content than what I was because I've learned to love me,' she said

‘Since changing my outlook on life and learning to embrace who I am, I know that hypothetically if I were to go back to what I used to be I would be so much happier and content than what I was because I’ve learned to love me,’ she said

La'Tecia shared the photo to her 352,000 Instagram followers as she wanted to inspire others

La’Tecia shared the photo to her 352,000 Instagram followers as she wanted to inspire others

She went onto explain that she isn’t encouraging people to not be active or to make unhealthy choices.

‘I think it’s about finding balance, listen to your body, you know what’s best for it.’

She also shared a video to her YouTube channel where she explained in more detail how she became so body positive, but she admitted that the subject wouldn’t be easy for her.  

‘Certain things that happen in your life shape you and your thoughts of yourself as you get older.’

She went onto explain that she isn't encouraging people to not be active or to make unhealthy choices

She went onto explain that she isn’t encouraging people to not be active or to make unhealthy choices

She also shared a video to her YouTube channel where she explained in more detail how she became so body positive

She also shared a video to her YouTube channel where she explained in more detail how she became so body positive

‘There was a certain person in my life who used to put me down… when I was growing up.

‘And I remember this moment when this person was like, “You’re fat, you need to lose weight”,’ she said in the video.

La’Tecia received these comments at the tender age of 13 and they stuck with her as she grew older. 

'There was a certain person in my life who used to put me down, from my household when I was growing up,' she said in the video

‘There was a certain person in my life who used to put me down, from my household when I was growing up,’ she said in the video

La'Tecia received these comments at the tender age of 13 and they stuck with her as she grew older, which led her to follow an extreme diet and exercise plan

La'Tecia received these comments at the tender age of 13 and they stuck with her as she grew older, which led her to follow an extreme diet and exercise plan

La’Tecia received these comments at the tender age of 13 and they stuck with her as she grew older, which led her to follow an extreme diet and exercise plan

This comment led her to follow an extreme diet and exercise plan, which wasn’t healthy at all.

She explained that after school she would exercise for three and a half hours while pretty much consuming nothing.   

Now a full time model, La’Tecia said that her confidence was at an all time low before she reached the level of confidence she has now. 

Now a full time model, La'Tecia said that her confidence was at an all time low before she reached the level of confidence she has now

Now a full time model, La’Tecia said that her confidence was at an all time low before she reached the level of confidence she has now

'When I look back now, I realise how toxic my mindset was. But when I look in the mirror now and don't even think twice about it,' she said

‘When I look back now, I realise how toxic my mindset was. But when I look in the mirror now and don’t even think twice about it,’ she said

Previously speaking to Daily Mail Australia, La’Tecia shared how her opinion of herself and her body has changed.

‘When I look back now, I realise how toxic my mindset was. But when I look in the mirror now and don’t even think twice about it, I put on my outfit and think, “yeah I look great”,’ she told Daily Mail Australia.

Her smaller size came with increased insecurity, from not wanting to wear singlet tops to avoiding mirrors.

'Plus size modelling is such a liberating experience for me, and I'm so content with my body,' La'Tecia explained

‘Plus size modelling is such a liberating experience for me, and I’m so content with my body,’ La’Tecia explained

‘When someone brought a mirror to my home I thought “why would you do this to me?” Not wanting to look in a full length mirror was not healthy at all.

‘Plus size modelling is such a liberating experience for me, and I’m so content with my body,’ she said.

‘I’m happier now than I’ve ever been.’ 

Although plus-size modelling has slowly made it's way to the Australian fashion scene, La'Tecia believes we still have a long way to go

Although plus-size modelling has slowly made it’s way to the Australian fashion scene, La’Tecia believes we still have a long way to go

La’Tecia can now be seen posing in everything from swimsuits and lingerie as she continues to inspire other women to embrace themselves for who they are. 

Although plus-size modelling has slowly made it’s way to the Australian fashion scene, La’Tecia believes we still have a long way to go.

‘The industry really needs to drop the label of “plus-size” or “curve modelling” because the fashion industry consider plus-size from a size eight!’  

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk