Valerie Bertinelli Calls Out Diet Culture While In Her ‘Fat Clothes’ From Jenny Craig Ad
In a powerful statement, Valerie Bertinelli has taken a stand against diet culture while donning the clothes from her past Jenny Craig advertisement. The Food Network star shared a video on her Instagram account, showcasing the pink button-down blouse and jeans that she wore in a 2009 commercial for the diet company. In the video, Bertinelli expresses frustration with the notion that losing weight would lead to a better life, explaining that she has worked tirelessly on her emotional and mental well-being. She emphasizes that health is not determined by body size and that an individual’s worth should not be dictated by their appearance. Although her message about body acceptance is likely to resonate with many, Bertinelli’s statement that she thought she was fat the last time she wore the outfit still perpetuates the idea that being fat is inherently negative.
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Valerie Bertinelli Calls Out Diet Culture While In Her ‘Fat Clothes’ From Jenny Craig Ad
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Valerie Bertinelli, the Food Network star, recently made a powerful statement about diet culture by wearing an outfit that was once used to shame her. In a video shared on her Instagram account, Bertinelli showcased the clothes she wore in her first “before” picture for Jenny Craig, a popular diet company. This pink button-down blouse and jeans were featured in a 2009 commercial for the brand, and Bertinelli even posed in a bikini next to the photo during a cover shoot for People magazine that same year.
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However, despite losing weight and conforming to societal beauty standards, Bertinelli revealed that it did not bring any positive impact to her life. In the Instagram video, she explained that she had to do a lot of emotional and mental work to recover from years of pretending that everything was okay when it wasn’t. She emphasized that health is not determined by body size or the number on a scale and that a person’s worth should not be dictated by their appearance.
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In the original Jenny Craig ad, Bertinelli is seen wearing a bathing suit with a towel wrapped around her waist. As she speaks to the camera, her “before” photo in the pink blouse and jeans appears to her right. The ad claims she lost 40 pounds with the help of a Jenny Craig consultant, boasting about her newfound confidence. However, in her Instagram video, Bertinelli expresses frustration with her mindset during the commercial shoot. She admits that she believed she was fat when she last wore those clothes, but now she feels more beautiful, at peace, and mentally and emotionally stable than ever before, even while wearing her “fat clothes.”
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The Impact of Language on Body Image
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Although Bertinelli’s message about body acceptance resonates with many, her comment about feeling fat while wearing the outfit perpetuates the notion that being fat is a negative thing. Aubrey Gordon, an activist, author, and podcaster who advocates for body acceptance, suggests using more specific language when describing feelings related to body size. Gordon argues that using the word “fat” as an emotion takes away its negative connotation and helps individuals better understand their true emotions and experiences.
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Gordon emphasizes that “fat” is not an emotion but rather a body type. She highlights that fat people’s bodies are not metaphors for low self-esteem or bad body image days. It is disheartening when individuals equate feeling terrible or having a bad day with looking like a fat person. By using more precise language and addressing the real emotions and issues, people can seek better support and understanding from their friends and loved ones.
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Gordon also sheds light on the sources of our beliefs about body size, stating that many of them come from unreliable sources such as corporations seeking profit from our insecurities. She mentions Jenny Craig as an example, indicating that these companies do not have our best interests in mind but rather aim to make a profit. By recognizing these sources and understanding their motivations, individuals can free themselves from the damaging influence of diet culture and body shaming.
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Promoting a Healthier Relationship with Body Image
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To cultivate a healthier relationship with body image, it is essential to peel back the curtain and examine the origins of our beliefs about body size. Many of these beliefs stem from unreliable sources, such as corporations looking to profit off our insecurities. Acknowledging these misleading messages and their motivations can empower individuals to reject harmful societal standards and embrace body positivity.
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One way to establish a healthier mindset is to recognize that health is not solely determined by body size. True health encompasses physical, emotional, and mental well-being, regardless of appearance. By shifting the focus from attaining a specific body size to prioritizing overall well-being, individuals can escape the harmful cycle of yo-yo dieting and unrealistic beauty standards.
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Furthermore, it is crucial to surround oneself with supportive networks that foster body acceptance and positivity. Engaging with communities and individuals who prioritize self-love and celebrate diverse body types can provide a sense of belonging and empowerment. By sharing experiences and offering support, these communities can help individuals navigate the complexities of body image in a more positive and compassionate way.
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Influencing a Culture Shift
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Valerie Bertinelli’s candid discussion about her experiences with diet culture and her embrace of her “fat clothes” reflects the need for a broader cultural shift. By challenging societal beauty standards and promoting body positivity, we can create a more inclusive and accepting society. This shift requires the involvement of both individuals and institutions, as well as a commitment to changing harmful narratives surrounding body image.
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Institutions such as the media and entertainment industry play a significant role in shaping societal norms and perceptions. By showcasing diverse body types and promoting realistic standards of beauty, these platforms can contribute to a more inclusive culture. Responsibility also lies with individuals to actively reject harmful messaging, prioritize self-acceptance, and support others in their journey towards body positivity.
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Education and awareness are critical components of fostering a culture shift. Promoting body positivity in schools, workplaces, and communities can help challenge damaging beliefs and inspire a healthier perspective on body image. By providing resources, support, and creating safe spaces for open dialogue, we can empower individuals to embrace their bodies and prioritize overall well-being.
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Conclusion: Embracing Body Acceptance
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Valerie Bertinelli’s powerful statement about rejecting diet culture and accepting her “fat clothes” highlights the importance of body acceptance. Society’s obsession with achieving a specific body size or conforming to narrow beauty standards can have damaging effects on individuals’ physical and mental health. By challenging these harmful narratives, embracing diverse body types, and prioritizing overall well-being, we can create a more inclusive and accepting culture.
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Language plays a crucial role in shaping our perceptions of ourselves and others. By using more specific language to describe our feelings, we can foster a healthier understanding of body image and remove the negative connotations associated with being “fat.” Recognizing the sources of our beliefs about body size and rejecting profit-driven industries can further empower individuals to reclaim their relationship with their bodies.
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Promoting a culture shift towards body acceptance requires collective effort. Institutions, individuals, and communities must work together to challenge harmful beauty standards, prioritize self-acceptance, and provide support for those navigating the complexities of body image. By celebrating diverse body types and rejecting diet culture, we can create a society that values and respects individuals of all sizes.