Valerie Bertinelli Fired by Diet Company After Weight Regain
Valerie Bertinelli recently shared her experience of being let go as a spokesperson for a diet company after regaining weight. The actress, who is now 65 years old, discussed this during an appearance on “The Drew Barrymore Show” on January 14. Bertinelli had previously lost 50 pounds while promoting the diet program, but struggled with her mental and emotional health which led to her weight gain.
Weight Struggles and Career Impact
Bertinelli signed on with the unnamed diet company in 2007, making significant progress in her weight loss journey. However, as life challenges mounted, she found herself slipping back into old habits. “And this was the last year, I believe, that I was with this diet company,” she stated, recalling how they ultimately concluded that they could no longer continue their partnership due to her weight gain.
Body Image and Self-Worth
Reflecting on her past, Bertinelli recalled wearing a size 12 dress during her Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony in 2012, a time when she felt pressure to maintain a smaller size. “I had gotten down to a size 4 — which was way too small for me and impossible for me to maintain,” she admitted. Now, she embraces her current size 10, realizing that her worth transcends mere numbers on a scale.
Prioritizing Mental Health
On the show, Bertinelli expressed that her focus has shifted towards mental and emotional well-being. “Right now, it’s about my mental and emotional health,” she asserted. Her growing self-acceptance has allowed her to disregard societal standards of beauty. She emphasized that one’s character is much more important than weight, stating, “What matters is who I am, how I treat people. Period!”
Life Beyond Diet Culture
Bertinelli has taken a stance against diet culture, opting for a more holistic view of health. In a February 2024 Instagram post, she revealed that she no longer weighs herself. “This is a 150lb body on a 5’4 frame. I don’t weigh myself anymore because this is considered overweight by whose standards I don’t know,” she wrote, highlighting her journey to self-acceptance.
Empowering Messages
She encourages others to focus on their character rather than their size: “You are enough. Just the way you are.” Bertinelli’s messages resonate strongly as she continues to advocate for prioritizing overall health and self-worth, rather than conforming to conventional beauty standards.
As she moves forward, Bertinelli maintains that her mental strength and self-awareness are key to her happiness, declaring, “I know who I am and what kind of person I am.” This journey emphasizes that personal well-being is far more critical than any number on a scale.
