Elle Macpherson avoids bikini photoshoots.

Despite having an enviable figure, the 49-year-old supermodel admits she is reluctant to strip down for modelling shoots as she's become older because she worries people might get sick of seeing her in a bikini.

She explained: ''I try not to do too much swimwear, just because I've done so much of it over the years, but sometimes it works. People might think, 'Oh my God, what is she doing sticking on a bikini again?' ''

The Australian beauty - who is often referred to as 'The Body' - believes in eating healthily and exercising on a daily basis to maintain her trim figure, but confesses she isn't as fanatical about hitting the gym nowadays.

She told the Mail on Sunday: ''Our house is gluten-free; we try not to eat wheat or much sugar and I take vitamins and minerals daily. My treats are dark chocolate and Thai food and I love my espresso in the morning.

''I believe in eight hours' sleep and a bit of exercise every day. I have no fixed diets. Don't get me wrong, I don't do it perfectly. These days, I tend to focus on nurturing and being gentle with myself. As I've got older it's about being more and doing less.''