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You Can't Beat Genetics


It tickles me how many hoops some girls go through in the effort to boost themselves a couple inches so they can be the right height to be a fashion/runway model.

While some claim to be able to increase their height through stretching, pilates, yoga, etc., what it all boils down to is genetics. Please take your hands away from your eyes--as much as you hate to read this, I have to give you the truth.

If you want to know if you'll be tall enough to do fashion or runway, there are two main options for you. One, visit a doctor who can help you determine based on your lifestyle, eating habits and family history, how tall you could potentially grow. Of course the doctor isn't always right, as I know of a few people who grew more or less than their doctor estimated.

Two, look at your family. They are the greatest indicators of all. Do your mom and dad tower over everyone? Are you brothers and sisters short? Are your grandparents on both sides tall, short or average? All of these things factor into how tall you could potentially be.

The whole genetics issue is a tough one to fight. The factors that play into your height start when you're still in your mother's stomach. Her diet, lifestyle and genetics all come into play before you're born. So in a sense, your height's destiny is already determined. Unless you're one of those crazy exceptions to the rule (like super short parents giving birth to a super tall son or daughter).

Instead of spending hours and days of your life trying to find that miracle product, pill, exercise or diet that will cause you to miraculously grow, you should turn all that energy and attention towards trying to pursue a category of modeling that actually welcomes your height, not hinders it. Height potential decreases the older you get so if you're already 16 or older, chances are you aren't going to experience a growth spurt large enough to allow you to walk the runway.

But that doesn't mean you can't appear in a magazine or catalog. Catch my drift? Stop focusing on what you aren't and focus on what you are and find the right fit in your modeling career Besides, don't you know stress can stunt your growth? Just kidding. Or am I? See, how exhausting it is to try and analyze all this? Stop worrying and start modeling already!
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Comments

Anonymous said…
This is really helpful! I was wondering though if you are on the other side of the spectrum (really tall) if that is a thing that can hinder you from modeling? I'm only 14 and I've already hit the 5'10.5"
and I still have a couple more years to grow. Is there a way to be too tall?
June 14, 2008 at 3:26 PM
Dania Denise said…
Thanks for the comment! Your question has been in answered in my recent post, titled, "Answering a Reader Question #7."
June 14, 2008 at 4:44 PM
Stripedfire said…
While there is no miracle method or sure fire way to gain inches, I know that there are exercises that help. I did some stretches for a month and grew an inch but it wasn't my bones that grew - it was the muscles in my back. The exercises gave me the strength to hold my body higher. The exercises did need to be kept up, but it still helped. You are right though - people should accept and love their bodies and there is no easy or sure fire way to make yourself grow permanent inches.
November 12, 2012 at 5:24 PM
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