Valerie Bertinelli Is Done Criticizing Her Body

Amazing news: Valerie Bertinelli is the newest addition to The Drew Barrymore Show. The actor, host and cookbook author will be regularly featured on Drew Barrymore’s talk show throughout the season to share recipes and advice via her own life experiences.

Regarding the latter, Bertinelli made one of her first appearances this week side-by-side with Barrymore during the “Wellsday” segment, highlighting health and wellness reflections. During this segment, Bertinelli shared how she has been on a journey for decades learning how to accept herself—and even during her youth, she admits that she had trouble loving her body.

“I used to hate my body,” Bertinelli says. “And what does that do to your body, what does that do to your brain when you’re constantly going ‘Oh, I hate this, I hate that, I hate my thighs, I hate this’? And someone once said to me, ‘What’s your favorite part of your body?’ and I said, ‘My ankles.’ That was it.”

Now, the star recalls how her body has aged, and she notes the personal advice that she follows.

“I had a beautiful body when I was that age, but being able to love my body at this age with the cellulite, with the saggy skin and the 64-year-old crepey skin, it’s like, you know what? This is what I have,” Bertinelli reflects. “I so love my brain, and my body carries my brain. I so love my heart, and this body is what carries my heart. It’s aging, that’s what we all do.”

The former Hot in Cleveland actor shares an important message: love your body as it ages for your younger self. It’s important to nourish your body with love and acceptance, and Bertinelli’s fans agree.

“Love her, we age and we have to accept it,” one commenter writes. “Just take care of your body but aging is beautiful and a privilege.”

Another Instagram user comments, “Well said…Yes, we need to take care of ourselves. Striving for perfection is not good. It’s called aging gracefully.”

We understand that cherishing your body in a positive way can be difficult. It’s important to remember that restriction does not equate to a healthy lifestyle. Recite words of affirmation, include your favorite foods into your eating pattern without feeling guilty, and do an activity that you love, whether it’s a silent walk or cooking a warm meal. As Bertinelli puts it, your body carries all of you, so take things one day at a time.