Valerie Bertinelli Says Weight Is ‘Protecting’ Her Until She’s ‘Healthier Internally, Emotionally’
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Valerie Bertinelli opened up about her weight and mental health to Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager on a recent episode of Today With Hoda and Jenna.
“A lot of challenges, a lot of heartbreak, a lot of crazy stuff is going on in my life right now,” the star said.
When asked about her recent divorce, she shares what she’s learned about herself in the process.
Valerie Bertinelli has long been open about how she internalizes her weight and the effects it has on her mental health. And now, she’s offering even more insight into the connection between the two. Earlier this week, the Food Network star made an appearance on Today With Hoda and Jenna, sharing how her weight is helping protect her mind.
“I haven’t gotten on a scale since I finished writing the book,” Bertinelli said during the interview. “I’m looking at the monitor and trying not to judge myself too harshly right now because I know that I’m still holding onto this weight because it’s protecting me because I’m going through a lot of challenges, a lot of heartbreak, a lot of crazy stuff going on in my life right now.”
Our friend, Valerie Bertinelli, is back in Studio 1A! ❤️️ pic.twitter.com/Kabm3XHy5X
— TODAY with Hoda & Jenna (@HodaAndJenna) June 9, 2022
The heartbreak Bertinelli was likely referring to? Her divorce from Tom Vitale, whom she married in 2011, and the loss of her former husband, rocker Eddie Van Halen, who died of throat cancer in 2020. Despite her mental health having “snowballed,” Bertinelli said she knows it will get better.
“When I get healthier internally and emotionally…the weight will come off, because I know I’m treating my body better, I’m drinking less alcohol, I’m eating less sugar, I’m putting more vegetables into my body, but my body is doing this for a reason…because it needs protection.”
Bertinelli has been open about her body image issues, having written a detailed memoir touching on the topic— Enough Already—that hit the number one spot on the New York Times bestseller list. Kotb interjected to celebrate Bertinelli’s wins, showing her lack of surprise at the book’s success, stating that it has done so well because of Bertinelli’s vulnerable, relatable character, saying “we all feel like we’re you.”
Through difficult times, Bertinelli said she sometimes forgets “all the good stuff.” And “Valerie’s Home Cooking,” Bertinelli’s show on The Food Network, has been renewed for another season as well as nominated for an Emmy. Bertinelli’s son, Wolfgang Van Halen, was also recently nominated for a grammy. So the star does have quite a few things to celebrate.
When asked about what she learned from her most recent divorce, Bertinelli said she realized that “I’m stronger than I think I am, I’m emotionally stronger than I think I am, and I deserve better than I think I do.”
After an honest and candid interview, Bertinelli ended the segment by sharing that when things seem really “dark,’’ she gets through it with gratitude and by starting each day by saying thank you for the wonderful life she has.
We applaud Bertinelli for speaking so candidly about her mental health journey, and can’t wait to hear what bits of wisdom she shares next.
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