Losing It: And Gaining My Life Back One Pound at a Time by Valerie Bertinelli (2008, Hardcover)

I bought this book not for the weight loss aspect of it, but rather the groupie mentality. Valerie Bertinelli has in the past been so quiet about her relationship with Eddie Van Halen in spite of the tabloid frenzied reports of infidelity and drug use rampant throughout their relationship. The book, although not written scholarly, was very candid about their extra-marital woes, his (and her) drug use during their marriage, and the feelings of inadequacy, self-doubt, loathing leading Valerie to overeat and seek out attention and love elsewhere. She shares her very personal struggles to people please, be a good mom, a supportive wife and a public persona all the while and gives readers an inside look at her acting struggles and struggles to maintain a positive home for her son and failures to help her husband. It's a happy ending and a good book, and in spite of being the Jenny Craig spokeperson, refrains from being too preachy about the weightloss centre.

This book provides an honest, raw account of Bertinelli's life as a child t.v. star, young wife to a drug-addicted Eddie Van Halen, and someone who dealt with depression, weight gain and loss along with the other rollercoasters in her life. It provides hope for those who might be embarking on a healthy lifestyle change of their own or those who remember her being America's sweetheart to show that none of us are perfect. It's refreshing to see someone who seemingly had it all, only to have it fall apart, and have the strength to build her life back pound by pound!!!

If you are a fan of Valerie Bertinelli, & Van Halen this is an interesting book for you, she tells all about the beginning of her career,famous people in her life, her family, childhood, her romance with a rock star, the birth of her son & alot of the messy details along the way, a little bit of language in some parts but an honest story, a little heartbreaking at times, touches in the end on her weight loss journey although the ending wasn't as interesting as the rest of the book. I am not a big reader but it caught my attention & was finished with it in 2 days.

Was surprised to learn from this book that even a famous celebrity like Valerie Bertinelli has had many 'ups & downs' in her life. Her marriage of 20 years was not perfect, but her love for and loyalty to her son was always utmost with her. It followed the various steps in her career and also the struggles she had with her physical appearance. Her weight varied greatly at times in her life and most especially during difficulties in her marriage. She finally becomes associated with Jenny Craig and at the end of her story, has triumphed over her weight problems. Her story is inspiring to so many to take back control of their lives!

I PURCHASED THIS BOOK BECAUSE I WANTED TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT VALERIE BERTINELLI, AND HER LIFE WITH "ROCKER EDDIE VAN HALEN". I SERIOUSLY HAVE THE HOTS FOR EDDIE !!! READING HER MEMOIR AND VALERIE'S LIFE HER AND I HAVE SOMEWHAT OF A FAMILIAR LIFE. I HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH LOOSING WEIGHT. VALERIE WENT THROUGH JENNY CRAIG TO LOOSE WEIGHT, MYSELF I HAD THE GASTRIC BY PASS AND I HAVE LOST 100 LBS. I ENJOYED READING ABOUT HER LIFE AND WHAT SHE HAS BEEN THROUGH. WE BOTH LOVE FOOD !