A size 28 lingerie model from New York is embracing her fuller figure after receiving nasty jibes from internet trolls.

Leah Stanley, 29, started her Instagram account, that now has over 92,000 followers, in a bid to encourage other women to enjoy their curves after she grew up without a strong plus-sized influence.

'I've received countless comments and messages regarding my health, lifestyle and life overall. I've been told I should kill myself, that I should learn to stop eating or that I'm unhealthy and only promoting an unhealthy lifestyle,' says Leah.

Size 28 lingerie model Leah Stanley, 29, from New York is embracing her fuller figure with an Instagram account that has over 92,000 followers. She wants to be a role model to other plus-size women and says men 'secretly want a plus-sized babe'

Although she confesses she has her own down days, the model and fashion blogger hopes to spread positivity and teach other plus-size women not to be ashamed, insisting her weight does not define her.

'During school, I never really had a high school boyfriend and boys never looked at me growing up. Nowadays it's the opposite. A lot of guys want a plus-size babe - and if they say they don't, they probably secretly do,' said Leah who goes by the name of @voluptuousleah on Instagram.

Leah also says modelling has given her confidence and enabled her to love the features she once struggled with.

'It's totally normal to have days that come with a little battle. I've woken up and changed my outfit four times because it didn't look right. The next day I'll wake up and put on one of the outfits I tossed aside the day before and walk right out the door.

Leah says modelling has given her a confidence boost and helped her learn to love the features that she once struggled with

' I've been told I should kill myself, that I should learn to stop eating or that I'm unhealthy and only promoting an unhealthy lifestyle,' says Leah

'I always struggled with my arms and thighs, so it wasn't until recent years that I started to ditch cardigans and wear shorts at the beach.

'Sometimes it's just a matter of a poor attitude and needing to have a pep talk with myself and remind myself that it doesn't matter if others think my arms are fat. I can still go out in a cute vest top.

Although she confesses she has her own down days, the model and fashion blogger hopes to spread positivity and teach other plus-size women not to be ashamed, insisting her weight does not define her

'I always struggled with my arms and thighs, so it wasn't until recent years that I started to ditch cardigans and wear shorts at the beach,' Leah explains

Leah says she doesn't worry about numbers and isn't even sure of her actual weight as she rarely weighs herself on the scales

Leah goes by the name of @voluptuousleah on Instagram and regularly shares pictures of herself wearing the clothes she feels most comfortable in

'I'm not even sure what my current weight is. People often compromise their mental health to obsess over a number and I'm not doing that. I know when I'm eating poorly and when I'm not exercising. I don't need a scale to tell me that. I know when to make changes without constantly knowing my weight,' said Leah.

Leah grew up the youngest of four sisters and was the only plus-size one of the four - often labelled 'fat' by other children

Leah grew up the youngest of four sisters and was the only plus-size one of the four - often labelled 'fat' by other children.

'I was always different. Children never ever referred to me as plus-size back then, it was always "fat."

'What I'm promoting is love and respect - there is no weight limit on that, regardless of a person's size.

She hopes to break standards, saying: 'What I'm promoting is love and respect - there is no weight limit on that, regardless of a person's size'

'I want to break standards and be a role model. Growing up, I didn't have a positive plus-size role model to look up to. It's really important to be that person - not just for women and young girls - but anyone out there who needs it.

'Bodies like mine need to be seen and accepted. I like to be strong and accept my body, so I can live carefree and help others to do the same,' said Leah.

'Bodies like mine need to be seen and accepted. I like to be strong and accept my body, so I can live carefree and help others to do the same,' said Leah

Leah also shared her daily wellbeing routine saying it's her 'attitude and personality' that make her feel sexiest.

'My regime changes daily but most mornings I start with a walk with my Bernese mountain dog, and I almost always do my make-up on a daily basis. I do it completely for myself. It's another outlet for me.

Leah also shared her daily wellbeing routine saying it's her 'attitude and personality' that make her feel sexiest

'Then there's always dinner - I have to have some sort of delicious dinner so I'm usually thinking about that during the day or maybe the evening before.

'My overall message is to always spread love, happiness and positivity. I want to inspire and encourage people to discover who they are, to be their best and true self. Live life because we only get one.'