Or 10, or however many it takes for fat to fill in those fine lines that have developed on your face, because eating is so much more fun than Botox. I know I’ve said this before (this post has been regenerated a few times), but it’s always nice to have an excuse to bag the New Year’s diet resolution and enjoy more holiday feasting…

January 1 is here and you’re stressing about the weight you’ve just vowed to lose, right? Well, stop. Turns out the 5 to 10 pounds many of us gained between Thanksgiving and New Year’s may be the greatest gift we could give ourselves. This pertains especially to women over 35, like me and Heidi Klum.

In a recent Self interview, Klum revealed this tip for aging gracefully: “The ultimate beauty secret for a woman getting older is, Don’t be too thin! It is always better to have a little meat on your bones.”

My best friend Sophie Patitz, another German top model who is both stunning and sensible, gave me the same advice a few years ago. At the time I was thrilled to have reached my old modeling fighting weight, only to be advised by her that my thin face made me look older.

After the initial sting, I launched into a hearty meal and have been grateful ever since. Heidi concurs, “When you are just muscle, you end up being gaunt in the face, and that makes you look older by 5 or 10 years.”

Which is why I’ve vowed to gain weight.

If you don’t believe it, check out these before and after celebrity pics:

Could it be Gwyneth Paltrow looks better now than in 2000? A touch of chipmunk, not chisel, suits her better.

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On the flipside…

How can it be that Angelina aged five to ten years in a little over a year? She lost weight. A bit of post-baby fat is a good thing.

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Calista Flockhart seemed borderline anorexic a decade ago. While still svelte, she weighs more than a feather now and has a fuller face. As a result, it hardly looks like these two photos span 11 years.

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Ten years ago, Nicole Kidman went through a thin phase. Now she’s looking more robust and, like Flockhart, possibly younger, not ten years older. Without the extra pounds, we would be talking gaunt or we wouldn’t be talking at all-Hollywood may have written her off as too old.

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Demi Moore must think thinner makes her look closer to her hubby’s age. Not so. A year ago she looked not a day over 40. With a slimmer, more severe look 12 months later, she could pass for her actual age of 48.

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Happy New Year ladies. Go forth and gorge!

Don’t forget to “like” your favorite Model of the Month by Jan. 15 (make sure you are signed into Facebook, so the “like” button appears). That’s when I will tally votes for the People’s Choice Award. A panel of industry experts also will pick their Modeling Mentor Model of the Year this month!

Height: 5’7″    Size: 4    Age: 19   
Seeking Representation in New York

This beautiful bombshell from Tunisia is in New York, ready to show off her modeling and acting talents. In every shot, she has an irresistible spark!

Remember, your submissions are still eligible for future months, so be patient. You also can submit new photos as often as you like. 

Don’t forget to “like” the page of your favorite Model of the Month (sign in to Facebook first so that the “Like” icon appears on the model’s page on my blog). On January 15, I will tally who has the most likes and determine the winner of the Model of the Year People’s Choice Award. A panel of agents and industry experts will also select their top choice for Model of the Year!

A Must-Read Male Model Q & A!

Oliver Prasetyo, a Modeling Mentor Model of the Month and winner of last year’s Model of the Year People’s Choice Award, is making a big splash in Indonesia, not to mention in the U.S., where he landed a coveted GAP campaign! This guy is a go-getter, not to mention funny, smart, and photogenic. That’s a recipe for success in modeling. Read, watch, and learn…

Oliver Prasetyo

J: How did you start modeling?

O: One night coming home from work, someone inquired if I were a model, to which I laughed and replied no. She recommended that I check out a casting. I went on a whim and was selected to walk for a show.

J: How old were you?

O: 25

J: Where were you?

O: In New York, on the Subway. F line maybe?

J: Your first job?

O: It was for a small designer line. Truthfully, the name escapes me.

J: Your big break?

O: When I booked the GAP fall campaign “Dress Normal” in NYC.

Oliver Prasetyo

J: Your favorite job?

O: When I modeled in Indonesia recently, I was featured on various talk shows (see below) showcasing my experiences as a model. Also, modeling for Esquire magazine and Nylon magazine in Indonesia was amazing.

J: Your goals?

O: Modeling: To model all over Asia and Europe. Overall Goal: I’d like to introduce and expose Indonesian culture to American entertainment in some capacity.

J: What advice do you have for aspiring models?

O: Never give up. Don’t allow other people to rob you of your dreams. Keep pushing and grinding if it’s truly what you desire. Surround yourself with people who support you. And always follow your dreams.

J: What do you find most surprising about the modeling industry?

O: That they book a goofy Indonesian kid from Queens from time to time. LOL

J: How do you stay in shape and is there pressure to be in great shape?

O: I just try to eat healthy and do daily cardio, push ups, and ab work outs. 

J: Any special diet?

O: Coming from an Asian background, it can be tough to say no to all the deliciousness of a home cooked meal. But you have to be mindful that you aren’t filling yourself with unnecessary stuff. I don’t have a special diet, but I do limit my daily carb and sugar intake. 

J: The biggest perks of modeling?

O: You’re in a profession that garners attention. I like to use it to inspire people. A lot of people didn’t think I was capable of modeling in the early beginnings. Those doubters are now supporters.

J: The biggest challenges?

O: It was definitely in the beginning when I had virtually no supporters. Well, Jill Johnson believed in me

Oh, yes, I did!

Check out Oliver discussing modeling, on a talk show in Indonesia. Notice how poised, articulate, relaxed, and likable he is. He’s got that extra something beyond looks, which makes all the difference in how far a model will go…

ENTER THE MODELING MENTOR MODEL SEARCH!