Losing It: And Gaining My Life Back One Pound at a Time

Reads like the diary of a teenager

I agree with a previous reviewer. It sounds like she got stuck in her teens and the book reads like it. I thought she came across as obnoxious, not able to keep from blurting things out at inappropriate moments. It felt embarassed for her even reading this. Not a good book and whoever helped her write this did not do a good job at all.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Good, Easy, Fluffy Read.

Given the title, I expected the book to be more about her body image and weight struggles. While she complains about being 130 pounds (GASP!), she mostly describes her work and family. Her marriage and son are interesting. She refers to her own cocaine use like it's an everyday thing. I didn't find her very relatable, but the book was decently entertaining. Don't expect any life changing revelations or thought-provoking content, but it will amuse you.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Losing It!

I'm not sure what I was expecting, but I was a little disappointed in this book. I was excited to purchase it and read it; actually picked it up in Chicago on a trip and read it within a day and half; but, I guess I thought of Valerie Bertinelli as the squeaky clean girl on TV and it turns out that wasn't true. I shouldn't have been surprised since she was married to a rock star and that scenario brings with it a whole lifestyle dynamic that would make most of us blush. I was hoping to read more about her weight loss journey and experience and what I got was a journey throughout her life and Van Halen's life. I guess it all ties in together, but I wanted to know more about her experience with Jenny Craig, the food, etc. It didn't seem to spend much time on that... maybe, the final couple chapters.

Overall, it was an ok read for me.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Valerie Fails to Surprise

Valerie Bertinelli fails to provide any surprises in her book. What she does reveal is that like many today, she is weight-obsessed. All her book does is continue the stereotype that if you're not thin, you're nothing.

When I saw cute little Barbara on "One Day at a Time", I hoped that she would mature into a woman of some substance. Valerie Bertinelli reveals a shallowness that I found surprising, considering some of her performances. Alas, they were performances.

Just rack this up to another in an endless series, of "Look at Me, somebody gave me free food and I lost weight". I found Kirstie Alley's book much funnier and original.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Curiosities

The book is a quick read and some of the inside info about "One Day at a Time" and the Van Halen marriage is very interesting. However, there are some contradictions and such that just don't make sense. For one, I thought Valerie's remark about wishing she could win the lottery was insensitive and offensive, especially in these times. Come on. This woman has not known financial strife or even financial challenge for a single day of her life. She grew up the daughter of an executive and later married one of the richest rock stars to have ever lived. In between, she had her own successful TV show and starred in countless movies and specials. I can't believe something that stupid wasn't edited out.

Also, her incessant remarks about having strict parents got under my skin. Stric parents? Really? Maybe compared to Mackenzie Phillips, who appears to have had no parenting at all. But Valerie had sex at 15, and then went on to engage in a sexual relationship with Scott Colomby, eight years her senior. That is very nearly statutory rape in some states, and may well be stat rape in others. She was in his bed nightly until 12 midnight with her parents' approval, and she calls that a strict upbringing? And then, while still in her teens, she carried on with the much older Steven Spielberg. And all that cocaine. I don't get it.

Finally, I was bothered by the fact that she felt compelled to promptly admit her cheating on Scott Colomby to him, because "that's the type of person [she] is." Yet, if that's really the type of person she is, then why did she not feel compelled to come clean to Eddie Van Halen when she cheated on him?

Too many contradictions for me. I don't think Valerie is a bad person at all. To the contrary, I think she very much wants to be a good, decent responsible caring person. However, I think she has never been in touch with the real world or real issues, simply because she can't experience them on a like footing with other people. Weight loss is a lot easier,even under the Jenny Craig plan, if you can afford the meals. Most people I know would love to try it but they can't afford it. Also, try working your way through a troubled marriage when you have financial problems on top of everything else. This would be more inpsiring had it been written by a real person.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

it is ok but ....

she rambles too much and all she talks about is how fat she is 'or was' when before she wasn't even fat overall i do not reccomend it it was poorly written and i didnt even want to finish reading it.valerie is a great actress and she should stick to it.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Who cares?

Thought I'd be inspired by her weight loss story, but was bored instead by her tiresome marriage to 'Ed'Van Halen, her travels, and the worst yet, her career moves! Narcissistic and boring!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Rocky start, but she seems to be getting her act together

I grew up watching Valerie on 'One Day at a Time' and always felt a certain kinship to her. So I was very excited to read her book, as I have put on 30 or so pounds since my early 30's. I must say that I was a bit dissapointed in the choices she made concerning the many sexual relationships that she was involved in. But it seems that she's getting her act together now that she has met her current boyfriend. And she is obviously a very devoted mother. I think her biggest problem was marrying at such a young age to a rock star. That was really the beginning of her problems. She has inspired me to lose weight, and I know how it feels to be hopeless once you get over 155 pounds. She gives me hope. Thanks, Valerie.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

LOVED IT!

Some of the readers need to re-read the book....no contradictions...no stuck in her teens....enjoyed every minute of the book! Brought back memories of seeing myself in her,about the same age. Watched her and listen(ed) to EVH all the time....was very easy reading...couldn't put it down,liked the feeling she was "talking" to me. Sometime "true love" does come around a second time!

I liked it

This was an easy read and I wasn't sure what to expect when I first decided to buy it. After a few pages it felt like I was having a conversation with Valerie and not reading a book. She made some mistakes along the way but we all do. I think we can all relate to her in our own ways and I can identify with her insecurities as well. It had to be hard and cleansing to talk about the issues she has had to face. Being able to have a mature relationship with your ex husband should set an example for all of us.

I used to like Valerie Bertinelli - not anymore

This book is horrible. It has illustrated how shallow, uneducated and narcissistic Valerie Bertinelli is.

Good book

Interesting read.... nice to see beautiful tv stars have problems too... very honest

Nice

Nice

Inspirational - NOT!

On occasion when I drive long distances, I buy a book on audio to keep me alert. The latest were KLG's "Just When I..." and Nora Ephron's "I feel bad about my..." - both read eliquently and entertainingly by each Author - then I bought "Losing It" by Valerie Berinelli - what a sleeper. I found myself seeking roadside Starbucks inside of concentrating on this borish story of her tumultuous (oh brother!) life and "battle" with her whopping 130lbs. Give me a break. It was very self-indulgent; bragging-up her affairs of her past, completely downplaying her divorce, and over exaggerating (I believe) her weight-obsessed past (who wasn't self-conscious of their weight when they were a teenager and after giving birth - oh please).

Not So Squeaky Comes Clean

A great book because it is so clearly candid and honest. As Ms. Bertinelli states and goes to a fair level of detail to describe, she wasn't nearly as squeaky clean as her public image. Heavens to Betsey...! This child of the just ended staid 50's admits to having slept with not fewer than something like 9 men...and she also alludes to having almost slept with another woman!

The book relates much of her life to fluctuations in her weight, which she attributes to the distortions in her mind about her body and the emotions that went along with the ups and downs of her career. This now has everything to do with her spokeswomanship for Jenny Craig. But tying so much to the recollections of her weight and figure is a literary devise that could get old quicker than it would take to swallow a Twinkie (and it's no more fulfilling;it's akin to listening to so much teenage girl angst). Thankfully, the information and revelations about her life make it all worthwhile.

I'd like more information about her relationship with Eddie Van Halen. Maybe I'll get it in "Finding It," the follow up to "Losing It' that I intend to buy and read as soon as possible.

Held my Interest

Held my interest, but got tired of the word "Wolfie" being used too much.

Losing It

Very interesting book about Valerie Bertinelli. I was amazed at the drug use and how candid she is about her life with Eddie Van Halen. It seems she grew up and he was stuck in the 80's. I admire her so enjoyed the look into her private life. Her struggle with self-esteem and weight go hand and hand. It is great motivation!

Losing It by Val is really good

Losing It was a really good read, it's bery interesting reading about how she grew up.

I will always be a fan of Valerie's....

Her aproachability, charm and wit shine through each page. I've always been a fan of Valeries', since the days of ODAAT - I always thought she was just gorgeous. It's just amazing to me that it has taken her this long to see that. What an excellent book - very hard to put down.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

nota bad book

I don't agree with the other two readers. I feel that she was herself and anyone who grew up in those year and had her issues with there self image can so relate. I think she did a nice job expressing her feelings and how she got through.