BlogHer - Valerie Bertinelli's Weight Loss: Inspiring or Controversial? - Comments

I'm definitely inspired by

Laurie PK — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 10:30:40 -0500

I'm definitely inspired by Bertinelli's weight loss -- I couldn't believe how much MORE gorgeous her face became after slimming down!

But, the trick is keeping it off after you're not being watched by millions or getting Jenny Craig's meals (because I can't imagine anyone could eat those forever). I agree with whoever said "wait a year and see what happens" -- if she can sustain it permanently, then she's an even bigger inspiration than I first thought :-)

See Jane Soar: Life Lessons From Well-Behaved Women (Not!)

She was Photoshopped?

Crimson Wife — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 01:12:41 -0500

If true, how diasppointing. I expect that in a fashion magazine, but not in a story like this :-(

Just Be Smart

marianaws — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 20:51:12 -0500

there is lots of an inspirational stories around us but each persons have a diferent result when do the same. just be smart where is the best for us and do some research which ones is better

Marianaws

My Weight Loss Diary

Weight loss is okay, it's how it's portrayed

TalesfromtheCarpool — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 16:08:10 -0500

I think that these types of stories can be very inspirational when they are honest, and in this case they are. But these alone don't help most women succeed. And even in the best of cases, they are often tainted by problems, in this case, by accusations of some Photoshop carving, which further whittled the thighs. Reality is, not everyone is going to be a perfect Size Zero, and they shouldn't be. And by perfecting even the success stories the message is, sure she lost 40 pounds and she STILL needed photoshop!! As an Anorexia survivor who had the determination to take herself to 90-ish pounds and come out of it, this quest for perfection is impossible. I do wish the focus would be on health, and strictly health. Look your best, feel your best for you, whatever that is for you personally. Today, I focus less on my calories and more on my lifestyle and workouts. I live with my Trainingpeaks app on my iPhone and track my progress in my HealthVault account and do my best to look for my own personal bests. I thought that the Dove campaign was doing a good job helping to change this perception, but we've got a long way to go.

food for thought...excuse the pun!

Laracolvin — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 20:49:33 -0500

Catherine, what you write is always interesting! I can't imagine judging anyone who wants to lose weight and be healthier. I've lost somewhere around 45 pounds over the last year. Part of this was due to stress, but a lot of it also had to do with major lifestyle changes. I attend yoga class 2-3 times/week and as a result, I've become naturally more concerned with what I use to fuel my body. And I'd be lying if I said I didn't like the reflection in the mirror these days.

I do, however, agree w/Debontherocks: the diet industry is manipulative. It is a for-profit system. Even Weight Watchers, which was probably the most successful of all of them for me due to the group meetings, is a business. And the media perpetuates it - or vice-versa. I don't judge Valerie Bertinelli, but I do have vast amounts of disdain for People and other mags like it for highlighting only the physical. Megan is so right when she mentions the emotional piece of this. I feel like there has been such a missed opportunity.

Anyway - I commend you for wanting to live a healthier, stronger life. And really, grab inspiration wherever you can...and don't feel guilty about it!

Lara

Notions of Identity

I agree

SoMuchMoreThanAMom — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 15:40:08 -0500

I agree. As someone who has always struggled with my weight and finally was able to lose over 40 pounds a couple of years ago, I too can identify with Valerie Bertinelli. Her book was actually pretty good also. I didn't lose weight for health reasons, although I did end up improving my health drastically. I was sick of hating the way I looked and the clothes I had to buy. It isn't superficial at all and losing the weight and looking good did amazing things for my self-confidence in addition to my health. I can't understand anyone who says they are truly happy in plus sizes, I think it's a cop out, but maybe that's just me.

http://somuchmorethanamom.wordpress.com/

I agree with you

Mauigirl52 — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 11:49:55 -0500

There is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to lose weight! I personally don't have a huge "body image" problem and I certainly am not buying into any of the hype about having to be thin to be worthwhile in life. But I am currently about 35 lbs. overweight (have lost 6 lbs. so far on Weight Watchers) and for health reasons I would love to lose the rest of it. I'm 55 years old and want to be around for a long time, and like you at your heaviest I had edged over into that "obese" category. (I'm only 5 feet tall so it isn't hard to do!).

I hope Valerie is able to keep the weight off (I have lost 20 lbs. several times and gained it back, so I know how hard that can be). And congratulations to you on your weight loss!

I'm happy you liked the post KiKi...

Catherine Morgan — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 09:56:52 -0500

Hi KiKi. Thanks for all of your comments, I'm happy you liked the post.

:-)

Contributing Editor Catherine Morgan
at Catherine-Morgan.com and Women4Hope

I look forward to reading your post...

Catherine Morgan — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 09:52:28 -0500

Hi Megan. Thanks for your comments, I am looking forward to reading you post on Star Jones Mondaynight.

:-)

Contributing Editor Catherine Morgan
at Catherine-Morgan.com and Women4Hope

Go, Val, go! :)

Erin White — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 22:19:13 -0500

I am 48 years old and quit smoking about a year and two months ago. Faster than a wink, I gained 20 pounds! I guess when you don't have all that nicotine fueling your metabolism any more, stuff happens.

Portion control + running a few days a week = lost 7 pounds since January 23rd. A little slower than Valerie, but hey, the job is getting done. I can do it!

I can also do math. Bertinelli lost 50 pounds and landed on 123. That means she was 173 pounds when she started the program. So unless she's, like, 5'10 or thereabouts (she's not), 173 lbs. was an unhealthy weight for her height and age. She needed to lose that weight. Anyone who cannot see this and villifies her for it has traded in their intellect for sour grapes.

Tink *~*~*

My Mobile Adventures *~*~*

Loved this....

kikiwalter — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 19:14:28 -0500

I really love everything you have to say here, and I agree completely and have been on the same roller coaster ride, and everyone always has something to say about it either way.

I was at the salon today and actually read the People issue...and was absolutely inspired by Valerie's story...and I think she looks GREAT! Not at all too thin...just right. I have been having a tough time trying to kickstart myself into getting in shape and being healthier...and reading about her struggles and determination (much, much more than Jenny Craig...) was very motivating.

Obviously, this is a sensitive topic -- and I don't think anyone is wrong...it is such a personal issue. From personal experience, I do know that my weight--and, don't get me wrong, I am not overweight...but I am extremely untone, bloated and have not had the best eating habits, and no exercize--DOES effect my mood, my drive, my confidence, and therefore--my happiness. But that's just me.

In any case, very interesting post you wrote--and a topic, despite what side you take, that remains an important one in the lives and esteem of women.

KiKi

___

http://kikiwalter.blogspot.com

http://twoliablog.com/i-am-not-kidding

As Someone Who's Struggled All My Life With Body Issues

Megan Smith — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 12:57:31 -0500

It was great to hear your take on this topic, Catherine.

As someone who's struggled with weight and body image issues all my life, the piece that's always missing for me when celebrities tout their weight loss is the emotional component of why people overeat.

Like with everything related to celebrities, the issue is always covered as a quick and easy fix. So and so lost "X" pounds in "X" months!

But almost never is the emotional component dealt with. Like what does Valerie do late at night when she feels lonely and her only emotional crutch in the past has been a box of cookies? What techniques has she learned to cope with that? If any?

I don't relate to any of these women because they don't speak to what I know my issues are.

I'll address some of this issue on Monday night when I post about the Star Jones portion of that same Oprah show.

Megan
BlogHer Contributing Editor, TV/Online Video

Megan's Minute

Oh geez, I just went and

debontherocks — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 11:54:23 -0500

Oh geez, I just went and looked at the People magazine photo of Valerie that you linked to. At her largest, a size 14, wearing a size 20 top. Ridiculous.

The issues of women,

debontherocks — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 11:46:07 -0500

The issues of women, dieting, body image, eating disorders, judgement--all of these are huge and controversial.

But one thing stands out about your writing and question that I want to approach. It's not that "dieting" itself is controversial or something to apologize for, not at all. It's the Diet Industry, capital D.

While I think we all want to be able to be in a place where we cheer on every woman's approach to wellness, whether that is to exercize, diet and/or work on feeling good about herself within her own skin, companies and media outlets that make money off of weight loss as a cultural pre-occupation (which is different than weight loss as a pubic or personal health issue) interfer with our desire to support all women in becoming the healthiest woman they can be.

Oprah is a huge part of the Diet Industry, constantly working this theme to hook viewers. If someone takes inspiration from that big Jenny Craig informercial for her own life, terrific, but that doesn't mean that people weren't paid and other people weren't hurt or even exploited for that profit. That exchange is one of the reasons people do enjoy the schadenfreude when Kirstie or Oprah gain weight again. Those women choose to make money telling everyone how to "just do it!" And other media often falls for the same message. Talk about shilling for the man.

Jenny Craig did not create permanent results for me and ended up being the opposite of inspiration. Should have known that getting "meat in the mail" as my son hilariously described it was not a sensible approach to nutrition. But the Diet Industry loves to mess with our minds. Keeps their wallets fat and happy.

Is that about weightloss,

She Who — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 11:40:40 -0500

Is that about weightloss, though, or about Oprah? Oprah hasn't said anything relevent to me in...15 years? I'm not only not interested in her celebrity friends, I'm also indifferent to her favorite stuff, her taste in books and the importance of her dogs. I think she's chosen her audience, and I'm not among them.

But weightloss and beauty mean a lot of things to women, and not all of them are superficial. For the ordinary woman who are my friends and neighbors 'time in the gym' is one of the few times when they are doing something by and for themselves. Therefore, the outer expression of weightloss reflects an attempt to balance concern for others and care for self in a socially acceptable way. That's the kind of accomplishment that's hard to celebrate directly. You're not going on Oprah, or even to the local coffeshop, to say, "I adore my kids, but it's taken me years to work out what percentage of my time belongs to my family, what belongs to my community, what belongs to my job, and what belongs to me. This is the look that reflects my current answer."

Instead of saying that, we take refuge in "I want to look good."

Valerie Bertinelli's Weight Loss: Inspiring or Controversial?

Catherine Morgan — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 04:22:07 -0500

Last week I watched Valerie Bertinelli and Marie Osmond on the Oprah Winfrey Show talking about their personal weight loss success stories, and I found both stories to be very inspirational. As most of you already know, I've been struggling with my weight for several years now. And for that reason, I find myself easily able to relate to these two women. After watching that show I felt more motivated then ever to continue eating healthy and losing weight. I don't think I was alone, but as always, there was also a backlash.

Did you see the show? Or the cover of People magazine? What did you think? Inspiration or controversy?

It seems there are a lot of people who want to vilify Valerie Bertinelli for her weight loss, but I find her story very inspiring. First, she was brave enough to be pictured on a major magazine cover at her heaviest (knowing she could fail). I think I have one picture of myself at my heaviest, and it's me sitting behind someone so you can really only see my face and one arm. I can assure you that no one will be seeing that picture anytime soon. Second, she didn't go on a crash diet, she lost her weight gradually and in a healthy way. Third, her perseverance paid off, and she looks GREAT.

But, not everyone feels the same way I do. Like Stephanie from Back In Skinny Jeans. She does make a good point...

Valerie looks really happy and healthy in the commercial, and I am happy for her that she reached her weight loss goal plus an additional 10. She originally wanted to drop 30 lbs but went on to stretch out her goal to 40lbs. That's cool and all.

But....

I want to be optimistic and hopeful that Valerie keeps her new figure, however, I'm not going to be sold on Jenny Craig until I see her a year from now. I know that sounds harsh, but when Valerie is off the plan or eventually gets off it because no one stays on Jenny Craig the rest of their lives, she will have to maintain her weight eating regular food and living in the real "non-Jenny" world.

And Julie from Women's Right is not pleased at all...

The Valerie Bertinelli story is all about losing weight. Thanks to a rigid diet and exercise routine, the actress was able to whittle her figure down to a stereotypically accepted size 6. Apparently middle aged women can be sexy, but they have to drop 50 lbs. first.

. . .

This type of story reinforces extreme dieting and negative body image. Bertinelli claims, "We all just need to appreciate our bodies for what they are, jiggly bits and all." But she obviously could not do that herself. Not only did she diet down to 132 lbs. in nine months, she got down to 123 for the photo shoot, hiring a personal trainer and restricting her calories to rock bottom levels. Now she vows to "stay vigilant" and keep working on her waistline.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not "pro" anorexia, I just don't agree that this story reinforces extreme dieting. It's just not fair to lump all women who want to lose weight (for what ever their reason) into some "anti-woman" or "politically incorrect" category. Yes, anorexia and bulimia are real problems and need to be addressed..But so is obesity and the medical problems associated with it. Anorexia is a disease, but vilifying dieting isn't the cure. Just as alcoholism is a disease, but we don't condemn everyone that walks into a bar or picks up a drink.

I just don't get it. Is it wrong for me to be a woman who wants to lose weight?

Do I have to justify my decision to lose weight to every woman who is happy in their own skin? And apologize to every woman who has or will have an eating disorder?

If so - I'm trying to lose weight so I won't die before my kids get married...And, I'm sorry.

I can relate to the Bertinelli story because there are a lot of similarities between her weight loss story and my own. For instance, we are close in age and height, and we both had about the same amount of weight to lose. Although I haven't gotten to my goal weight yet, I do have confidence that I will.

Now, it may seem extreme to lose 40 or 50 pounds in about a year or two, but if you're already 40 to 50 pounds overweight to begin with, it's actually quite reasonable. At her start weight Valerie Bertinelli was considered clinically obese (it wasn't all in her head), and at 123 pounds she is now considered "normal" weight. Even if she lost another 10 pounds she wouldn't be underweight (according to a standard BMI calculator). Personally, I think she looks great, I wouldn't say she looks "too" skinny or underweight at all. She doesn't make me feel ashamed that I don't look as good as she does in a bikini, but her story does make me feel that it's possible for me to lose the weight too.

You see, it's all relative - If you're already at a healthy weight, then a 4o pound weight loss is extreme. If your 100 pounds overweight, then a 40 pound weight loss isn't near enough. We need to look at the whole picture here, not just the cover page of a magazine. Does the media bare some responsibility for so many women having a poor body-image? Yes. Is this Valerie Bertinelli story an example of that? I don't think so. What do you think?

And while I'm asking questions - Is losing weight for health reasons justifiable, while losing weight to look good in a swimsuit is not? Who gets to decide what "excuses" for dieting are acceptable and which ones are not? Do women really need to be the diet police for each other, or can we trust each other to make these types of decisions for ourselves? Let me know your thoughts in comments.

Also See:

Does This Blog Make us Look Fat?
And later this week look for Megan Smith to post on the controversy surrounding Star Jones' weight loss.

Contributing Editor Catherine Morgan
at Catherine-Morgan.com and Women4Hope