Valerie Bertinelli's Stunning Transformation: From 'Fat Clothes' to Confidence, the Journey that Inspires!
Valerie Bertinelli bravely embraces her past by donning her 'fat clothes' in a powerful statement about self-acceptance and finding inner peace within her own body
Valerie Bertinelli Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
Valerie Bertinelli became emotional as she shared her journey towards finding inner mental stability after years of battling with her body image.
"Warning: I am about to open up and be vulnerable - anyone leaving hateful comments will be blocked," Bertinelli, 63, wrote in the caption of her Instagram video on Monday, October 2. In the video, she tries on her "fat clothes." Wearing a salmon-colored button-down and dark-wash jeans, she reveals that this was the outfit she wore in her very first "before" picture when she was a spokesperson for Jenny Craig.
"I have spent a significant amount of time over the past year emotionally and mentally purging. Recently, I have also embarked on a closet clean-up, getting rid of items that no longer bring me joy. Surprisingly, these specific items were tucked away in the back of my office closet," Bertinelli shared about the collection. "I'm not sure why I held onto them, but now I'm grateful that I did. It's encouraging to witness the progress I've made on an emotional level. I am actively working on not using food or alcohol as means to suppress or numb my feelings, and here I am, embracing my true self. I am content with who I am."
Concluding her caption, Bertinelli conveyed an essential message to those struggling with body image concerns. "Our physical appearance does not define our worth as human beings. The number on the scale does not determine the amount of love our hearts can hold," she emphasized. "Please, love and accept yourself entirely. You are more than enough."
In the video, the actress openly shared her thoughts with her followers, expressing her strong disapproval of how she used to see the outfit as her "fat clothes."
"It's unbelievable how I used to perceive myself as fat when wearing these clothes," she stressed, shaking her head in disbelief. "Today, I feel incredibly beautiful, at peace, and mentally and emotionally stable."
Bertinelli’s commentary received praise from Food Network stars Giada De Laurentiis and Ree Drummond (also known as The Pioneer Woman).
Drummond, who has openly shared her own journey of body transformation, wrote, "Valerie, your honesty is truly beautiful. You may never fully realize the positive impact these posts will have on women, both young and older, who see them." De Laurentiis, on the other hand, "liked" the upload.
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Bertinelli has previously expressed her experience of promoting Jenny Craig for six years in the 2000s. In 2021, she responded to a critic on Instagram, acknowledging her participation in the diet industry and recognizing it as a problem.
In the last year, Bertinelli has openly discussed her body changes following her divorce from ex-husband Tom Vitale, which was officially concluded in November 2022.
In June, she shared on Instagram that it is time for her to go down another jean size. She expressed astonishment at her progress, which began in November when she gained her freedom. Since then, she has focused on improving her emotional and mental health, which led to a greater concern for the nutrition she consumes. The Hot in Cleveland alum admitted that although the hurtful words and abuse she endured cannot be erased, she acknowledged that she would not have internalized them if she hadn't been speaking negatively to herself initially.
Bertinelli responded to critics who had criticized her weight gain following the passing of her ex-husband, Eddie Van Halen, in October 2020. In 2021, she explained to a commenter that when someone notices weight gain, it is likely a sign that the person is dealing with personal struggles. She further expressed that if losing weight and maintaining it were as simple as it sounds, she would have already achieved it.
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Bertinelli questioned, expressing his frustrations with his lack of success in that aspect throughout his entire life. "Am I not exhausted from this perpetual cycle?" he asked, seeking understanding and compassion. "Where is the empathy? It's not at all helpful."
