Celebrities and Diet Diva Gossip: Valerie Bertinelli shows off her bikini body on the cover of People Magazine

Most of probably remember Valerie Bertinelli as a washed up soap star, but now she's showing off her bikini body on the cover of People Magazine for her 49th birthday!

The editor for People magazine was on The Today Show this morning showing off the bikini clad cover. She said, "Bertinelli admits though that it's hard work and she feels like she's just a jalapeno popper from being 40 lbs overweight again."

Valerie Bertinelli, best known for her 1975-84 sitcom One Day at a Time, was named the new face for Jenny Craig in 2007. Measuring in at 5'2" and size 14, Bertinelli at the time she was named was about to turn age 47. She initially pledged to lose 30 lbs. by September 2007, but has since lost 40! She said that going public with her goal was the motivation she needed. "I need to do this in front of millions of people so I can't mess up."

After reaching her initial goal, Valerie stuck with the program and said she wanted to get back her bikini body by her 49th birthday. She achieved her goal and this week you can get a glimpse of her vamped up exercise routine to get there. When it comes out on stands, I'll post her workout here for you all to check out!

But until then, here is what I've got: Valerie has been working out 5 days a week for at least an hour for the last 3 months. She mixes things up with cardio and weight training exercises. She said, taking it off in front of the camera was a fear she wanted to overcome

Check out other celebrity body transformations and weight loss stories!

I think Valerie is an excellent role model for women who think that it's not possible to ever get back that body they once had back in their twenties or thirties. Clearly, she has proven that you are never too old to wear a bikini as long as you have confidence. Accountability is also a great motivational factor that you can steal from Valerie. She will also appear on Oprah April 1st.

If you are inspired by Valerie's accomplishments, here is a beginners fat burning move that will help you get started and figure out where you are at, fitness level wise. This is one of the most dreaded moves a trainer can throw at you, but with the beginner version, you'll be ready to face the challenge in no time.