Ricki Lake, the beloved talk show host and actress, has been making waves with her recent weight loss journey. She recently opened up about how she managed to lose 35 pounds since October 2023, and let me tell you, her transformation is inspiring. At 55 years old, Ricki has embraced a new lifestyle, and she says she’s now the “healthiest” and “fittest” she’s ever been. But how exactly did she do it? Let’s dive into her journey and learn how she achieved these incredible results without relying on weight loss medications like Ozempic.
Ricki’s Motivation: Finding Health and Happiness
Ricki has always been open about her struggles with weight and body image. She estimated that before embarking on her weight loss journey, she weighed around 170 pounds. In a candid interview with ABC News, Ricki shared that her goal wasn’t just about looking good—it was about feeling happy and healthy. “I wanted to feel strong again,” she said. “This isn’t just about a number on the scale. It’s about my mental health, my physical well-being, and just being happy in my skin.”
She emphasized that this journey was a deeply personal one, motivated by a desire to improve her quality of life. For Ricki, it wasn’t about fitting into a certain size or meeting anyone else’s expectations. “This is what happy looks like,” she said, beaming with pride.
No Shortcuts: Ricki’s Decision to Avoid Medications
One of the most intriguing aspects of Ricki’s weight loss journey is her decision to avoid weight loss drugs like Ozempic, which has gained popularity among celebrities lately. Instead, Ricki opted for a more holistic approach. “I didn’t want a quick fix,” she explained. “I wanted something sustainable, something I could maintain without relying on medication.”
Experts agree that while medications like Ozempic can help people lose weight, lifestyle changes are often more sustainable in the long run. And Ricki has certainly proven that to be true.
How Did She Do It? Ricki’s Lifestyle Changes
So, how exactly did Ricki lose 35 pounds? The key, she says, was consistency and making realistic changes that fit her lifestyle. Here’s a closer look at the methods Ricki used to shed the weight and improve her health:
1. Intermittent Fasting and the Keto Diet
Ricki revealed that she incorporated intermittent fasting into her routine. This popular eating pattern involves cycling between periods of eating and fasting, which can help boost metabolism and reduce calorie intake. Ricki also embraced a keto diet, which focuses on reducing carbohydrate intake and increasing healthy fats. “It was hard at first,” she admitted. “But once I got used to it, I found that I had more energy and I wasn’t as hungry.”
2. Hiking and Staying Active
Another major part of Ricki’s weight loss was staying active. “I started hiking more, and it became my favorite way to exercise,” she said. Ricki’s love for the outdoors helped her stay motivated, and hiking provided a way for her to stay active without feeling like she was forcing herself to exercise. “It was more about enjoying myself and less about burning calories,” she added.
Ricki also incorporated other forms of physical activity, including Pilates and yoga, which helped her improve her strength and flexibility. “I wanted to do things that made me feel good, not things that felt like punishment,” she explained.
Support from Loved Ones
Ricki’s journey wasn’t a solo mission. She credits her husband, Ross Burningham, for being her biggest cheerleader. In fact, Ross joined her in making these lifestyle changes, and the couple has been on this journey together. “We both committed to getting healthier, and we’ve been each other’s support system,” Ricki shared. Together, they lost a combined 60 pounds, with each shedding around 30 pounds. “Having someone by my side made all the difference,” she said.
Mental Health and Self-Love
For Ricki, weight loss was only part of the transformation. She has also been candid about the importance of mental health and self-love in her journey. “There were days when I felt like giving up,” she admitted. “But I kept reminding myself that I’m doing this for me—for my health, for my happiness.”
Ricki has struggled with mental health in the past, and she made it clear that losing weight wasn’t a cure-all. “It’s about finding balance,” she said. “You can’t just change your body and expect everything to be perfect. It’s about changing your mindset, too.”
The Results: “This Is the Healthiest I’ve Ever Been”
The results of Ricki’s efforts are undeniable. She now weighs around 135 pounds, and she says she feels better than ever. “This is the healthiest I’ve ever been,” she declared. “Not just physically, but mentally and emotionally, too.”
Ricki recently shared a photo of herself wearing a dress from 2007, and fans couldn’t help but notice how radiant and confident she looked. “I never thought I’d fit into this again,” she wrote on Instagram. “But here I am, feeling stronger than ever.”
Ricki’s Advice for Others
When asked what advice she would give to others looking to lose weight, Ricki emphasized the importance of finding what works for you. “Everyone is different,” she said. “What worked for me might not work for someone else. But the key is to find something sustainable, something that makes you feel good.”
She also stressed the importance of being kind to yourself. “It’s not about being perfect,” she said. “It’s about making progress and celebrating the little victories along the way.”
Conclusion: A Journey of Self-Discovery
Ricki Lake’s weight loss journey is more than just a story about shedding pounds—it’s a story about self-discovery, resilience, and finding true happiness. By making sustainable lifestyle changes, embracing a healthy diet, and staying active, Ricki has shown that it’s possible to achieve your goals at any age. And perhaps most importantly, she’s reminded us all that happiness comes from within.
“This is what happy looks like,” she said, and we couldn’t agree more.