Valerie Bertinelli Opens Up About Weight Loss Journey and Body Positivity
Valerie Bertinelli, the former Jenny Craig spokesperson and Food Network star, has publicly discussed her historical battles with weight management, but now finds herself in a significantly healthier and more contented state regarding her physical appearance. In a candid interview with People magazine, the 65-year-old celebrity disclosed that she has successfully maintained a trimmer physique without resorting to GLP-1 medications, a class of weight loss drugs including Ozempic that function by reducing blood sugar levels.
Supportive Stance on Weight Loss Methods
Despite her personal choice to avoid these pharmaceuticals, Bertinelli expressed unwavering support for individuals who have found GLP-1s or similar treatments beneficial for their well-being. "I think whatever anybody does to help themselves get to a better place to where they feel good about themselves, they should do it," she told the publication. This perspective is a central theme in her forthcoming memoir, Getting Naked: The Quiet Work of Becoming Perfectly Imperfect, scheduled for release on March 10, where she emphasizes that judging others' weight loss strategies is inappropriate.
"I think we need to take a lot of the judgment out of all of it," stated Bertinelli, who also revealed she underwent breast implant surgery in her twenties and had them covertly removed two years ago due to health complications. "Plastic surgery, GLP-1s, anything that someone else is doing that doesn’t affect your life, leave them alone." The actress and television personality elaborated that while she may not opt for certain procedures herself, she refrains from criticism, acknowledging the difficulty of weight management. "It's flippin’ hard to do," she remarked, adding that her current stance does not rule out future possibilities like a neck lift or trying GLP-1s.
Personal Experiences with Cosmetic Procedures
Bertinelli admitted to experimenting with Botox in the past but was dissatisfied with the outcomes, noting it altered her eyebrow appearance. "Anyways, you just get bangs and they cover a lot of wrinkles," she quipped. Her decision to remove breast implants led to severe complications, including a serious infection, requiring additional surgery to correct asymmetry. "I have to have one more surgery to even them out," she explained, humorously adding that only she and her cats see her breasts, and she might date someone with poor eyesight.
Reflections on Relationships and Healing
The conversation also touched on Bertinelli's personal life, including the end of her long-distance relationship with writer Mike Goodnough in 2024 after less than a year. Previously, she was married to financial planner Tom Vitale from 2011 to 2022 and to Van Halen guitarist Eddie Van Halen from 1981 to 2007. In a March 2023 Instagram Story, she shared insights on moving past toxic situations, writing, "When something is toxic, and it's only ever been that…Do your best to heal your way to indifference. You do not have to forgive to move on."
Through her new book and public statements, Bertinelli continues to promote a message of self-acceptance and non-judgment, encouraging others to pursue health and happiness in ways that resonate personally, free from external criticism.
