Valerie Bertinelli

Did you all see that Valerie Bertinelli made the cover of People Magazine in her bikini? I’m thrilled that’s she’s lost weight, but I do feel bad for all the focus on Hollywood stars weight—especially the females. You can read more about it and see the cover here.

Donna

Donna, I saw the pic at the grocery store yesterday and she looks absolutely amazing! We’ve all known that Hollywood places such a huge emphasis on women’s weight…it’s not the same for men. Hate that! On the one hand, these women are selling their image, if being fit is part of their image, then, well, they should be fit. Not to say they should be super skinny! On the other hand, unfortunately, by posing nearly nude and wearing clothing that leaves nothing left to the imagination, they perpetuate the unhealthy body image for “regular” women. It’s a vicious cycle that I don’t think is ever going to go away. Unfortunately.

Hi Sue Lynn,

I actually blogged about this yesterday at Diet News Valerie actually didn’t sleep well the night before the shoot, asking herself what in the world she was doing. It had been 20 years since she wore a bikini. She had gone through a difficult divorce and gained 50 pounds while fighting depression. While I can’t say I’d want to pose in a bikini, I am happy that she has control of her eating and has lost weight. For her height she is a reasonable weight, and I think when you look at the whole story it is a story of hope that might encourage women.

Donna

I think Valerie looks great, and should be proud to sport that bikini.  I’m not quite sure what all the fuss is about, per se, but I do think it’s a positive look at how you can take control of your habits and health and make a change if you desire.  I also think it sheds some light on aging being a beautiful thing as well.  Too many young actresses get credit for their figures.  Here’s a real woman who has battled fluctuations and can wear that bikini with pride~

I am not sure, why you feel bad about her? Now its a trend, any celebrity who wants to be on cover page has to loose the weight. That is the trick of becoming famous. You are observing that everywhere. Britney gave nude post to one magazine even after after she was pregnant. It doesn’t look like any stranger.

Hi Jodie,

One other thing I think is important to point out is that Valerie lost her weight overtime—the healthy way. She’s learned to rein in her eating and exercise regularly. That’s a role model more of us should follow. Slow and steady, and hopefully long term weight loss.

Donna

soodenspear, I don’t think anyone feels sorry for Valerie, most are applauding her. What’s sad is that so much emphasis is placed on how thin a woman is…especially in Hollywood. This attitude spills over to the rest of the world and even though the entertainment industry outwardly applauds women with curvy figures, it doesn’t seem like they promote it at all. Very interesting comments! Thanks for joining us!

PEOPLE has a habit of running stories about dramatic weight loss.  Every month or so they have a cover story about celebrities who have shed a ton of weight or regular folk who have dropped hundreds of pounds.  I noticed that now the magazine is heralding the success of supermodel Kathy Ireland.  The millionaire mother of three claims she gained 25 pounds without realizing it, then worked with a trainer friend to revamp her diet and create an exercise routine so she could lose the weight.  Apparently it worked—her before and after shots are dramatic.

My question:  How do you gain 25 pounds and not know it?  I gain five pounds and my pants don’t fit.

I applaud Valerie Bertinelli for her weight loss. She did it the right and healthy way. I believe she should be a spokesperson because many people will look up to her. When Kristy Alley was JC spokesperson, for some reason she just wasn’t as inspirational.. And even Queen Latifah hasn’t made as big of impact as Valerie.. Good for her for posing in a bikini.. Not sure if I’d ever have the courage.. She should be proud of herself!

I agree Mary Beth. I also applaud Valerie for accomplishing her weight loss in the healthy way. I’m sure she is delighted with the results. I find it unfortunate that she had to use her weight loss to increase her bank account by being a paid weight loss spokesperson and to recharge her career through interview and cover shots that she probably would not have received if not for the dramatic weight loss. I would have felt even better about her accomplishment if her PR person was not shoving it in my face.

Who knew losing 50 pounds could recharge someone’s career?  I also read that Valerie’s boyfriend lost 35 pounds following the same diet and exercise routine as Valerie.  Of course, he’s not famous enough for anyone to care about.

Susan, if you enjoy reading about celebrities, who lose weight under the radar, then you probably appreciated Kathy Ireland’s story.  She doesn’t have a PR person.  Rather, she lost the weight with help from a friend who is a trainer and modified her diet.  She dropped 25 pounds in three months—not bad!

Here she goes beaty

Valerie Bertinelli 1 Valerie Bertinelli 2 Valerie Bertinelli 3

More pictures of Valerie Bertinelli

Thanks for the photos, Tanya.

I agree with Mary Beth and Susan in that losing weight in a healthy way is important for more than one reason. First, it allows them to learn to change their habits over time so that they can keep the weight off. And because they are in the spotlight, they are encouraging others to lose weight in a healthy way rather than telling people to buy a “magic pill” or eat one food…like the Grapefruit Diet. Fad diets can actually let people lose weight, but most of the time it comes right back on because they haven’t learned to change their old habits.

Donna

If I looked that great in a bikini, I’d flaunt it too! I just hope she maintains her healthy weight and doesn’t gain it back, a la Kirstie Alley.

I had also seen Kathy Ireland’s story and appreciate that she didn’t go gangbusters on magazine covers and Oprah to talk about her weight loss.

I think having her boyfriend join her in her battle to lose weight helped Valerie.  He dropped 35 pounds in the process and endeared himself even more to the woman he loves.  It’s great to have a partner when losing weight, especially if you are having to cook for him/her on a daily basis.

Hi Wendy,

I join with you in my wishes that Valerie doesn’t gain the weight back. The thing with Kirstie Alley (just my opinion), she never did seem to be on board 100 percent with the idea of being committed to losing weight. It reflected in her attitude, and I think Jenny Craig did a wise thing in making the transition between spokespersons—. Those of us on the outside could relate when Kirstie “acted” a little jealous about the attention Valerie was getting—but Valerie was losing and you could tell she had reached the end of her rope with her weight. Pluse she comes across as genuine; she wants to help others lose too.

Donna