Just this weekend a group of my friends were discussing "that show Valerie" was on and couldn't recall the name. So I was particularly enthralled when she was on the show. So inspriational because of her sincerity. Adorable as ever but more importantly, she brings to light that we are always learning about ourselves. Now I'm going for a walk with my dog; inspried to get moving!

Valerie Bertinelli tells my story. When I look at pictures of myself back then and now, I say "Who is that old, fat woman", I am not a person that I know or feel anymore. I used to think I was cute, even with my issues, now I just think that life and fun is over for me at 47. I think she looks beautiful, and I hope and wish that i could get that way too. I will try to envision it, like Valerie says.

I loved how honest Valerie was on the show yesterday. She will be an inspiration to so many people. I grew up watching that show and always loved her. Valerie looks healthy and happy and I can't wait to read her book for myself.

I really enjoyed this show and go alot out of it. Valerie is so beautiful, she looked like a million bucks. She bared her soul in order to move forward in her life, and I don't think she should be put down for it. I think she just found it a little overwhelming at times to be up on stage with all those people and being asked about things in the book. Sometimes it easier to write things and hand it over for people to read, then to actually speak it with everyone looking at you. I too am trying to quit living a lie, and this boosted my courage. Its very tough to make the changes you need to make, to live your truth, when you know society is going to judge you - but that is in fact what I need to do. God, Spirit, Universe please help me. I share some things in common with her - my name, I too got married very young, didn't learn from that one and did it again. She stated that she is just now figuring out who she is at 47, and at 49, I feel like I am just figuring out who I am. For her it was getting out of a marriage that was no longer serving her to help figure out who she is. For me, I had a very serious accident and was left disfigured. I have had reconstructive surgeries and look much better and feel better (emotionally), but it was only after the surgeries and when things should have been OK again, that I realized, things are not OK at all, you need to figure out what in the hell you're going to do with your life, and what you really want. This is not a dress rehearsal! It's been a tough couple of years, but I know myself better much better now and I will make it through and I am thankful for the experience. Valerie - Thank you for being a normal person, having the courage to share you story and inspiring me!! As Oprah always says - "the truth will set you free" Thank you Oprah too for all you do! XOXO

Hi,
Valerie was talking about a vest that you can put weights in. I forgot the name of it though. Sorry. = (

I don't know if I was more surprised at Valerie's or the audiences reactions to her confessions. Have we reached a point where we think if is "funny" to kiss another woman, have an affair, do drugs or brag about who we had sex with??? I think the morals in our country are rapidly fading away, and though I agree no one is perfect -- is this the way to help people - go on public television, laugh it up at the mistakes we made, and then write a book and make a fortune off these "funnies"? And what caused Valerie to turn around - her weight??? How about "what have I done to my life and the people in it"; "what kind of example am I setting for my child/children"?

I have always felt follicle envy against Valerie. lol But didn't you hear what she said to Oprah yestereday? When they showed a px of Valerie when she was in her teens/20's she said she wished she had that hair again. Oprah said her hair was beautiful, to which Valerie relpied, 'Oh, this isn't mine". I could swear I heard that. Did anyone else hear that? If it's true, I would LOVE to know where and who makes her wigs!!!

The first thing I noticed about Valerie was how beautiful her hair was. Then she said it's wasn't real. How did she get that hair???? Was she wearing a wig? I want hair like hers!!!!

I'm with you. If that was a wig, I would SO love it if she would tell people where to get it!

I think Valerie acted very "childish" on the show.......for a woman of almost 50 years old!! It was in very poor taste for her to reveal all of her former antics. Even Oprah seemed surprised at some of the things she said. FYI---All of this was done just to promote her new book. Low Class and in Very Poor Taste!

I feel exactly the same way! I'm the same age & grew up watching Valerie, always thinking she had the perfect life. I know it took a lot of courage for her to divulge all on national televsion, but it was probably very freeing for her too. She has given me great hope in battling my weight problem. It's hard to believe that I have let myself go, as much as I have, but I know that I can turn it around. I know it's pretty easy to rely on excuses like, I can't afford the convenience of the Jenny Craig meals, I don't have much free time to walk, etc., but the bottom line is confronting yourself head on, forgiving yourself for all your mistakes & resolving to take steps in making different decisions that will effect your life positively!

Dear Valerie and Oprah. I have to tell you what an inspiration your show was yesterday. I turned the show on after work about 4:35 pm. My husband was home but was leaving for about an hour. Before he left, I was thinking about what I could have to eat while he was gone (I don't think potato chips count as healthy!) and before I started supper. As I listened to Valerie talk about her battle with weight, something in me clicked. Instead of eating, I went upstairs to my treadmill, turned the show on up there and walked on the treadmill for 30 minutes. Then, I did some stretching on my exercize ball. Then I fixed a healthy supper without snacking beforehand. Just now, I was going to order lunch delivered in to work and was really leaning towards a chicken salad sandwich and cream of potato soup. After reading the show transcript again, I instead ordered a salad with lots of veggies, fat-free dressing on the side, grilled chicken sandwich with bbq sauce on the side (and I'll only eat half the sandwich). And I'll have water to drink. I have decided that I want to be the size person I picture in my mind. (I am very surprised to see I'm not that person when I look in the mirror!) Being overweight affects my self-esteem, my love life, and things I enjoy doing because I can't or don't feel comfortable doing them. I think being overweight also affects how I respond to other people. They can't possibly like me when I don't like myself. I can't thank you enough for the inspiration you gave me to start living healthy, exercizing and starting to like myself. I have tried diets and weight loss programs and lose 25 pounds only to gain it back. I take meds for high blood pressure, my cholesterol level is up, my HDL is down, my LDL is up, my triglyserides are up and my blood sugar is slightly elevated. I am taking control of myself and hopefully by June I will be in better shape, healthier and look more like I picture myself in my mind. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

I'm new at this message borad stuff. So now that two of us want this perfect hair...how do we get the answer? Is Oprah going to read this and e-mail us the answer herself!

I just love her...and I'm happy she found some peace.... What I want to know is where do you get a " walk vest " . I have such a bad problem with losing any kind of weight... I love to walk , and at one time it did work for me. But no more! I went on a 30 min. walk every morning for two months. I gained 15lb. The walk vest souns like somthing I'd try...Please help