Valerie Bertinelli On Kirstie Alley: ‘She’s Part Of The Reason I’ve Come This Far’

Valerie Bertinelli may have taken Kirstie Alley’s place as Jenny Craig spokeswoman, but now, the newly slim star wants her old mentor to follow her lead.

“She should come work out with me!” Valerie, who recently unveiled her trim bikini body, told People. “She should remember you can’t do everything in one day [and] her exercise has to be consistent. She can do this. There’s no doubt in my mind.”

Kirstie appeared on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” last week to reveal that she had gained 83 pounds since her bikini-clad appearance on the talk show in 2006, and told People earlier this week that she’s “ready to work” and lose the weight again.

“[Kirstie is] a mentor and a motivator,” Valerie told the mag. “She’s part of the reason I’ve come this far.”

And the star said that it would be easy for her, too, to slide back to her old ways.

“I’m still on the journey and still keeping my fingers crossed,” Valerie added. “I am one jalapeno pepper away from gaining 40 pounds. It’s not simple! It’s something you work on every day.”