Heidi Klum SELF December 2010

Heidi Klum is SELF's December 2010 cover star and she gives her advice on staying young and how she handles work, love and her new line of clothing.

Do you ever feel overwhelmed?

"Definitely! When I'm at the dinner table and everybody asks me a question at the same time. Or when the baby cries and cries and you're, like, 'What is wrong? You're not hungry. I changed you--what is it?' The sound level goes really high, and it's like, whoa! I take a deep breath and say, 'This is my world.' It's a roller coaster. Sometimes you're on top and everything is fabulous, and sometimes it's crazy. But it's what I wanted, and in the end, I love it."

What's your favorite exercise?

"One of the best parts about season eight of Project Runway being taped in New York City was that I went running every morning. I had a watch that counts the miles and the little thing you put on your shoe that measures each step. Over seven weeks, I ran 120 miles! I don't love running, but I do like to see everything getting tighter and toned."

How do you and Seal keep your marriage of five years strong?

"Part of why we're so good together is that, in a lot of ways, we're opposites. I'm speedy, and I don't like sitting still for long. My husband is the most patient person I've ever met. He can explain something to the children for hours, and I will just say, 'OK, this is how it is.' We're both really creative people. We may have some different passions, but we love and respect and trust each other."

What makes you happy?

"I learned from working in the fashion world that if I have a day when I feel slapped in the face, or if someone has been mean, I just have to get back up and it will be another day. I think about what I'm grateful for. I look at my kids and my husband and think, Wow, I'm a really lucky person."

How do you do it all--Project Runway, designing a fashion line and everything else--without losing your mind?

"I'm a big believer in to-do lists. I make them before bed. I think of five things in the shower, and when I come out, I write them down or I can't sleep. I have daily lists and big-picture lists. I set goals and get my work done, but I have to plan for fun things, too. I'm always thinking about what will make my family happier. So I set up play dates and trips to the park or museum. I'm planning for a safari we can all go on together. What can I do with my husband? Can we steal away to Vegas for the weekend? Is there a play we want to go see? You shouldn't wait for other people to make special things happen. You have to create your own memories."

Any tips for a busy mom on looking fresh?

"Sleep! I get up at 5:30, so I'm exhausted early. I go to bed at 8:30 most nights. Also, before events, I may get a spray tan. I like how it looks, but sometimes I leave gold shimmery marks all over!"

Klum's latest creative enterprise is designing clothes. Her ideal customer?

"Heidi Klum for New Balance is sold at Amazon.com, and it's designed for busy women like me who want to look cute and not like they're coming straight from the gym. Women I see when I take my kids to school. I'm not making fantasy clothes, like Galliano; I do beautiful basics. It's upmarket fabric, and it's sophisticated. Other lounge wear is louder and has writing on it, but I'm too old to wear something that says juicy across my butt. That's for a 16-year-old!"

Seal's favorite salad: Klum loves to cook and create healthy dishes at home. She shares an easy fennel "recipe" her husband loves.

"I slice a head of fennel into small choppies with an onion, garlic that I put through the press, and a really great balsamic vinegar glaze--we like Gia Russa. Then I toss it all with olive oil and salt and pepper. I like it with a few cloves of garlic, but everyone else gets upset if I use more than two!