Valerie Bertinelli has opened up about her journey toward self-acceptance, sharing how years of public scrutiny and personal struggles with body image have shaped her perspective on embracing self-love.
In a heartfelt Instagram post from December 2024, Bertinelli reflected on the lifelong challenges of feeling judged. “From the time I was a young girl, I’ve carried the weight of external judgment. It’s taken me a long time to recognize that the only judgment I should value is my own—one rooted in kindness and patience,” she wrote.
The actor shared that she has reached a place of genuine appreciation for her body, celebrating it for its resilience and journey. “For the first time, I truly love my body—not for how it compares to my younger self, but for everything it represents. When I think back to my 20-year-old self, it breaks my heart that I couldn’t see the beauty then. That body hadn’t yet weathered the experiences that shaped me, and now I honor what I’ve become.”
Later that month, Bertinelli posted a raw and empowering mirror selfie, wearing only a bra and underwear. Her caption underscored her unwavering acceptance, as she proudly declared her love for “every lump, bump, wrinkle, and saggy part.” The post was a bold statement of vulnerability and strength, reminding her audience of the importance of embracing their bodies at every stage of life.
Through her words and actions, Bertinelli continues to advocate for body positivity, inspiring others to reject societal pressures and celebrate their own unique journeys.
She put the kibosh on emotional eating
Valerie Bertinelli came to recognize the impact of her unhealthy relationship with food and worked to transform her mindset around eating.
“It’s not the food itself that harms us—it’s the reasons behind and the way we approach eating it,” she explained in an April 2024 interview with The Washington Post. “When we eat unconsciously or use food to soothe emotions, that’s when it becomes problematic.”
Bertinelli admitted that she often turned to food as a coping mechanism for emotional distress, opting for convenience items like frozen pizza and grocery store sushi instead of preparing meals at home.
“If I try to ignore or suppress those feelings—or attempt to eat them away—they don’t disappear. They just resurface later,” she reflected.
Speaking to Mashed that same month, she emphasized the importance of understanding that food itself is not inherently tied to weight gain; rather, it is one’s eating habits and emotional reliance on food that play a critical role.
“What impacts your body is how you use food to avoid facing your emotions and numb yourself. That’s the real issue,” she stated. “Until I confronted that truth, nothing in my life was going to change.”
She’s patient with herself when she tries to ramp up her workout routine
In 2010, Valerie Bertinelli achieved a remarkable milestone by completing the Boston Marathon. More than a decade later, she turned to TikTok to share an empowering message about rediscovering her love for fitness.
“Just 12 years ago, I ran a marathon,” she shared in the video while walking on a treadmill. “But every journey has to start somewhere, and I’m not ashamed to begin again. Today marks the first day of the rest of my life.”
She no longer thinks of certain foods as ‘good or bad’
In an April 2024 interview with Mashed, Valerie Bertinelli shared her decision to move away from labeling food as inherently “good” or “bad.”
“I used to fear eating something as simple as apples with peanut butter because certain diets labeled them as unhealthy. It’s an apple, for goodness’ sake. It’s peanut butter—it has protein! Enough already,” she said.
She extended this perspective to other foods that had been unfairly demonized in her mind. “Take bananas, for example. I used to avoid them because of the carbs. But seriously—stop overthinking it. Eat the banana. It’s good for you. It’s packed with potassium and vitamins,” she emphasized.
She wasn’t in a rush to lose weight
Valerie Bertinelli emphasized her preference for cultivating sustainable, healthy habits over resorting to crash diets.
“I’ve learned the value of patience,” she told People in April 2024. “Forget the ‘lose ten pounds in a week’ mindset. Why rush? If you focus on caring for your emotions, mind, and heart, the weight will come off naturally.”
At 64, Bertin
elli acknowledged the difficulty of staying patient when pursuing a weight-loss goal but emphasized that the slower approach yields lasting results.
“Sure, it might have happened faster,” she said, “but why does it need to? Without addressing the emotional and mental aspects, any weight you lose is unlikely to stay off.”
She’s a fan of Pilates
In December 2023, Valerie Bertinelli shared a glimpse into her Pilates routine, a practice she uses to nurture both her physical and mental well-being. Posting a video from her workout, she highlighted the emotional boost exercise provides. “No matter how hard it is to get there, I always feel so much better about myself once I’m done,” she remarked. Her Instagram caption echoed the sentiment: “Exercise is not just for your body. It can also soothe your soul. 🤍💪🏼.”
A Break from Alcohol
Bertinelli’s decision to give up alcohol has been a transformative step in her wellness journey. After participating in Dry January 2023, she shared the unexpected benefits with her followers. “Here’s a nice little side effect to Dry January,” she said in February 2023, showcasing a loose pair of jeans that had previously been too tight. By September 2024, she had embraced sobriety fully, telling People that aging influenced her choice. “The older you get, the less you want to put that in your body. I feel better without it,” she explained.
Redefining Indulgence
Bertinelli rejects the notion of “cheat days,” advocating instead for a more positive relationship with food. In April 2024, she told USA Today, “It’s not cheating. We need to allow ourselves the pleasure of our lives. Food is a big, important part of my life.” She emphasized the importance of balance, sharing with People that indulgences are essential to a healthy diet. “
I don’t deny myself anything anymore. If I want pasta alle vongole, I’ll make it and enjoy it without guilt,” she said.
Confronting Negative Self-Talk
During a September 2024 appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show, Bertinelli reflected on the harm caused by negative self-perception in her younger years. “I used to hate my body. That constant self-criticism affects your mental health,” she said. Over time, she learned to value her body for what it enables her to do, appreciating it more with age. “I love my brain and my heart, and this body is what carries them. Aging is natural—it’s what we all do,” she added.
Health Beyond Size
Bertinelli has moved beyond defining health by clothing sizes or numbers on a scale. In a now-deleted 2023 Instagram video, she emphasized, “Health is not a number on the scale. Your worth as a person isn’t dictated by your body.” She shared her current mindset: “I’ve never felt more beautiful, more at peace, or more emotionally stable, even while wearing my ‘fat clothes.’”
A Non-Judgmental Approach to Weight Loss
As discussions around weight-loss medications like Ozempic become more common, Bertinelli has chosen not to use them but remains supportive of others’ choices. “If it helps someone, they should use it,” she told People in April 2024. Speaking to USA Today, she added, “Whether it’s weight-loss drugs, Jenny Craig, or Weight Watchers, I’m not here to judge how anyone chooses to manage their health.”
Valerie Bertinelli’s journey serves as an inspiring reminder of the power of self-acceptance, balance, and emotional well-being in achieving a fulfilling and sustainable approach to health.