Kate Upton
Kate Upton continues to promote positive body image on social media and in real life. Pictured: Kate Upton arrives at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Beverly Hills, Calif., Feb. 28, 2016. Reuters/Danny Moloshok

Kate Upton may not bothered by those who call her curvy or “fat” these days, but growing up in the industry, the supermodel shared that she was told to lose weight by several people.

In an interview with Glamour for its October issue, Upton admitted to dieting the first time she was told she needed to lose weight. “At first I tried to diet to become their image, but eventually I realized that it wasn’t realistic – that this is just the shape of my body. So I had to block them out. I think that the people who are loudest about wanting to change you are the people with the least amount of vision and creativity,” she said.

Meanwhile, Upton is still being criticized for the shape of her body today, especially on social media. But the Sports Illustrated model said that she’s no longer bothered by them no matter how hurtful or funny the criticisms are. She also works out regularly, but not to please clients and fans. “Now, I do it for myself, because I want to be strong. I want to have energy,” she said.

On her Instagram account, Upton recently posted a sexy photo showing off her toned back and bum. “The Other Woman” star also urged her three million followers to not always try to change themselves. “You should be the best you, the healthiest you,” she wrote.

In other news, this is not the first time Upton has encouraged others to have a positive body image. While speaking with Hello, Upton said that she tries to shut down the negativity when she’s on set because modeling is pretty much like acting. “I feel like I’m a different character, and that character doesn’t get pangs of anxiety,” she said.