Los Angeles model goes from size 6 to 16 in body positive transformation

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (FOX 11) - Los Angeles model La'Tecia Thomas used to spend three hours a day working out to maintain her tiny, size 6 frame -- but not anymore.

She's now a size 16 and couldn't be happier.

The plus-size model shared her weight gain story with the Daily Mail and says the extra pounds helped her learn to love her body.

It's a sentiment shared by two women as they headed into their workouts at Orangetheory Fitness studio in West Hollywood.

"It's ridiculous to try and struggle to be a size 6 or 2 or 4 if your natural body type is a larger size," said Jackie Tepper.

Fellow workout partner Caryl Liebmann agreed: "I'm coming to terms with accepting who I am and loving the fact that we can be all different shapes and sizes and be great."

Theresa Cann is in the process of moving to Los Angeles from Toronto. The size 4 model understands firsthand the pressure to be thin.

"I myself have had to lose weight, over 10 pounds, to actually be recognized as a potential for an agency to work with," Cann said.

At Pilates Body Shop in Silver Lake, owner Kerri Campbell said being fit isn't always about weight.

"She feels mentally healthy at this weight and to me that is just as important as being physically healthy," Campbell told FOX 11.

She has been teaching pilates for 20 years and has seen a shift in recent years of her clients' fitness goals.

"Now we're looking to be a little more muscular, to have a little bit more curvature. I don't see people wanting to be thin all the time, that's still there, but there is a larger range," Campbell said.

As for La'Tecia Thomas, the 26-year-old said she still gets some negative comments but won't let that stop her from achieving her modeling dreams. She's hoping to grace the catwalk for New York Fashion Week or the cover of Sports Illustrated.