The former Playboy Playmate recently moved back to Los Angeles with 11-month-old son Hank to be closer to her family while her NFL star husband Hank Baskett plays in Minnesota and she believes the distance has helped them to communicate better.

She said: "We take advantage of Skype and texting. We have all that.

"It`s actually a blessing in disguise. We get a chance to know each other all over again and communicate.

"I love my married life. We`re not separated."

The 25-year-old beauty also admitted she agonised over an offer to pose for Playboy again, claiming it was the "hardest" decision she had ever had to make.

She told `The Today Show`: "I haven`t decided yet but I`m leaning towards no. I involved Hank in my decision and I also involve my fans.

"That was probably the hardest decision of my life. I don`t want to look back and regret not doing it but I`m 25, I`m still hot. I want to be that hot mom in the public eye but do I need to do Playboy to be hot?"

The blonde beauty also admitted that criticism of her weight gain during her pregnancy by US radio personality Mancow had encouraged her to get back in to shape as quickly as possible.

She said: "I`m open and there`s a lot of people in the world that have their own opinions of me. I can`t change that.

"It made me want to get back into shape and prove him wrong - not just him but everybody that criticizes me. Just a couple weeks ago, my body started kicking back into gear now that my baby is almost 12 months."
sections: Celebrities