Guest blogger Stella Ellis flaunted her plus-size curves as a model for Jean Paul Gaultier in the 1990s—a time when waifs ruled the catwalks. She also appeared in Madonna's iconic Sex book and in the music video for George Michael's Too Funky, alongside Tyra Banks and Linda Evangelista. How did she maintain her confidence as a full-figured woman in a world where thin was in? Here the model and author of the new book Size Sexy (Adams Media, 2010) shares her tips on how feel sexy at any size.

Throughout my entire life, I have been a full-figured woman. With a large curvy figure and the tendency to gain weight, I knew that maintaining a healthy body image could be a life-long struggle for me. I could strive to be a size zero, four or even 10—but I decided instead to live my life to the fullest and flaunted my curves from New York City to the runways of Paris. 

I entered the glamorous world of fashion as a makeup artist and I worked on shows for designers from John Galliano to Chanel. When I met designer Jean Paul Gaultier in 1992, he asked me to be in one of his shows. He wanted to design clothing for my shape and I couldn’t wait to be acknowledged for my size and sexiness!

As a model I found a fabulous personal style and learned to treasure and care for my sexy full-figured body. I learned to appreciate my shape, and how to nourish and treat my body right. Now I want to inspire full-figured women to remove the terms “fat girl” and “plus size” from our vocabulary and set our own standards of beauty. Women need to learn that while we’re all built differently, we can all look good, feel good and be happy.

Here are some tips I’d love to share on how to appreciate, protect, and nourish your body:

• Make healthy food choices. Being healthy means choosing foods that nourish the body and help it radiate health and beauty.  Always eat a healthy breakfast to fire up your body, eat more fruits and vegetables and enjoy superfoods such as avocados, nuts, broccoli and salmon.

• Do not crash diet! They are disastrous for your health.  If you need to lose weight, eat a balanced diet—it’s the only way to remain healthy in the long run.

• Exercise. Take a one-hour walk, dance, practice yoga and take that extra flight of stairs—anything to get your heart pumping.

•  Pamper yourself. Give your body the attention it deserves! Take a warm bath and listen to relaxing music or treat yourself to a day at a spa to help relieve stress.

•  And most importantly, be true to yourself. There is so much more to you than your size—so free yourself from it to be the healthiest, happiest, and most confident version of you!

Related:
• 5 ways being healthy makes you happy
• 6 reasons to love your body
• Quiz: Do you have a healthy body image?