Australian bikini model has been praised for sharing her 'real' transformation photos

This model is happier since gaining 10kgs. Photo / Instagram

Australian bikini model Karina Irby has won praise from fans after revealing she's gained 10kgs and "never felt better".

Karina accompanied her empowering message with two photographs, one showing her at 54kgs and the other as she is now, a healthy 64kgs, news.com.au reports.

She then detailed the difference between the two photos to her one million fans, welcoming the presence of "boobs, butt, hip and thighs".

"This morning Facebook notified me of a memory from 9 years ago. I was so shocked to see how tiny I used to be when I was a teenager!"

View this post on Instagram

No I’m not contagious 😒 It’s Eczema Awareness Week and I wanted to post a raw video of my current skin situation. I’ll never have flawless legs but I’m ok with that. At least they get me from A to B. There is little-to-no education or awareness on this debilitating skin condition. This can lead to judgment or bullying for eczema victims. I myself have been bullied and have received judgmental stares, which led me to cover up my eczema for many years, which is why my mission is to normalise eczema. I’m so thankful that there are organisations like @eczemaau, whose goal is to reach every Australian who lives with this condition and let them know that help, support and education is available. Visit their website or call 1300 300 182 for questions or support! Remember you are never alone 🦄

A post shared by KARINA🦄IRBY (@karinairby) on May 4, 2019 at 1:51am PDT

She went on to describe how she felt when her body started to change, making her feel "self-conscious".

"I remembered that as my body was maturing I was gaining weight, curves and more fake reasons to feel self conscious about my appearance.

"I used to put so much pressure on myself to try and keep my teenager look but not only was it unhealthy, it just wasn't in the cards for me."

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Ah the female body does some crazy things! I was looking back at old pics today and found this one from 3 years ago. I had only been working out for around 6 months at the time. Fast forward to today and BAM! So much has changed! More muscle. More fat. More brains! I never had a vision goal I was trying to achieve. I just wanted to get healthier. Peaseeeee try and do the same. You’ll never look like another person no matter how hard you workout. We are all built differently and that’s a beautiful thing. Focus on being you’re own inspiration 💫 All my training is from @BIKINI.BODY.BURN Ps - I can’t wait for all the Instagram doctors to come out and claim I’m a manufactured robot🤪

A post shared by KARINA🦄IRBY (@karinairby) on Apr 13, 2019 at 3:34am PDT

After gaining 10kgs, she said: "I've never felt better about myself mentally and physically.

"What I'm trying to say is stop being so hard on yourself. You're body is beautiful and it's keeping you alive! Worship the heck out of it! I wish I did sooner."

Naturally, the response to the post has been wild — with hundreds praising the model for her "brave" post.

"I love this so much!! Thank you so much for putting yourself out there and giving the message to embrace and love yourself and your body the way it is," one person said.

"Ohhhhh my god, THANK YOU! another said.

"This is insane. You look so amazing now," one raved.

While many others called Karina "beautiful" and "brave".

Karina — who owns Moana Bikini — regularly shares body positive messages on her social media, helping others to feel confident to wear skimpy swimwear no matter their body shape and size.

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This morning Facebook sent me a six year reminder of a time in my life that feels so distant, it’s like it never happened. In the left photo, I had just started my label @moana_bikini and was working two jobs to support myself and my new business. I believed I had to be skinny and tiny to look good in my new business venture and promote swimwear. Not only that, but I thought it was a must to be accepted in my personal life and in relationships. I thought I was happy, but looking back I was lost, trying to find a way to happiness and accepting myself. Not only has my body changed, but so has my confidence, mindset, education, relationships and maturity level. Present day; I love myself - every little inch. It’s not cocky or self absorbed; it’s simply acceptance for who I am... and I love it!

A post shared by KARINA🦄IRBY (@karinairby) on Mar 6, 2019 at 4:32pm PST

Last week she shared an empowering clip about her eczema, saying she'll "never have flawless legs" while describing that as "ok".

"No I'm not contagious," she wrote, alongside a video of her thighs visibly affected by the skin condition.

"I wanted to post a raw video of my current skin situation. I'll never have flawless legs but I'm ok with that. At least they get me from A to B."

Last month she shared another powerful before and after shot of her physique in two different pink bikinis taken three years apart, revealing "so much has changed".

View this post on Instagram

If only 2019 Karina could go back in time and give 2009 Karina some advice. I had a very abnormal adolescent upbringing. It was one of those situations that can go one of two ways; good or bad. And I’d like to truly say I’m proud of the person I have become! We all change, both physically and mentally, but some things are eternal - like my love for adorable baby chihuahuas 😜 Although, I do miss my first fur baby, Gizmo! He was my best buddy❤️ #2009vs2019

A post shared by KARINA🦄IRBY (@karinairby) on Jan 15, 2019 at 12:45am PST

Not everyone has been nice about the bikini designer's transformation, with some online critics in the past cruelly calling her "fat".

However, Karina clapped back at her trolls last year, slamming their behaviour.

"Trolls will comment that I'm now 'fat' BUT in reality I'm a happy, healthy lady. I was pretty unhealthy in my first photo. Not eating right and not taking care of my body.

"Yes I've gained weight, both fat and muscle but I'm now training four times a week and eating for my body. It's crazy what eating and weights can do."