Valerie Bertinelli Reveals She ‘Used To Hate’ Her Body But Has Now Found Self-Acceptance At 64: ‘This Body Is What Carries My Heart’

Valerie Bertinelli recently delighted her fans by revealing her new role as a lifestyle expert on The Drew Barrymore Show. The Food Network alum, 64, made another appearance on the talk show this week alongside host Drew Barrymore during the “Wellsday” segment, dedicated to health, positive mindsets and wellness insights.

The One Day at a Time actress notably and openly shared that in her youth, she grappled with embracing and loving her own body. “I used to hate my body,” Bertinelli candidly told Barrymore, 49. She added: “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.”

Reflecting on the passage of time, the Hot in Cleveland star shared observations on how her body has aged. Bertinelli also offered advice on nurturing a positive mindset when it comes to aging and body image. “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 continued.

The mom of one went on: “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.” Soon after Bertinelli’s appearance on the show, fans headed to Instagram to praise her uplifting message and heartfelt words. Beneath a clip of Bertinelli and Barrymore’s chat posted on IG by the show, one fan wrote: “Valerie couldn’t have worded it better. It’s a tough mindset to overcome and may take a long time, but once you get there, it’s worth it.”