LARA: 'STOP CALLING ME FAT!'

Standing up to recent body bullying, model Lara Bingle says putting on 6kg has her feeling happy and healthy despite negative media reports slamming her weight gain.

But the former Speedos ambassador admits the pressure has been intense, with paparazzi standing outside her front door shouting, "Give us a fat shot, Lara!" Says Bingle: "It's been so full on. It's like, enough!"

But Bingle - who is the face of healthy eating program Eat Fit Food - insists she keeps her body image in check by focusing on being fit and healthy.

"I'm not trying to beat myself up or worry about hammering myself at the gym everyday - when you stress about that, it does more harm than good."

For Bingle, time is better spent maintaining an active lifestyle and a positive lease on life: 'I'm really happy right now...I just want to enjoy my life."

Instead, Bingle has been buoyed by the many positive Twitter comments she's received from girls sharing their own body image stories. "They're my real inspiration," says Bingle. "Whenever there's been a negative media report, they've come to my defence and say I've inspired them, and that's amazing to me."

For Lara Bingle's exclusive interview and bikini shoot, pick up the latest issue of WHO, on newsstands Friday.

Source: WHO Magazine