Ree Drummond Offers Relatable Tips for Sustaining Weight Loss

Ree Drummond has been refreshingly candid about her weight loss journey that kickstarted in 2021, during which she managed to shed an impressive 55 lbs. Recently, she opened up again about her ongoing struggles with maintaining her weight.

In a recent post on her Pioneer Woman blog, the Food Network star confessed that, after successfully keeping off the weight for several years through balanced eating and moderate exercise, she faced challenges with motivation due to life’s normal ups and downs, resulting in a slight weight gain. “After all, I’m a woman and a human,” she noted. “Since late 2023, I tapered off exercising and didn’t pay much attention to my diet. (This happens!).”

Maintaining a healthy diet can be even more challenging when you’re known for sharing mouthwatering recipes. However, Drummond, 56, was aware of what steps to take to return to a weight where she felt more comfortable. “After a few ups and downs since my initial weight loss, I discovered that the original method still works like a charm!” she explained. This time, she opted for a less intense approach, which she found “rewarding.” She added, “I’m feeling better and better every day.”

Drummond wanted to steer clear of weight loss medications or fad diets like keto — but emphasized that she doesn’t judge others on their respective journeys. Instead, she concentrated on maintaining a calorie deficit by prioritizing protein to assist in muscle building and to feel satisfied. Her go-to foods included chicken, salmon, Swiss cheese, Greek yogurt, and protein balls. “I still enjoyed good food,” she noted. “I just consumed smaller portions and made sure to choose items that provided more nutritional value.”

Drummond hasn’t been hitting the gym with an expensive personal trainer; instead, she enjoys long walks with her dogs, practices Pilates, and has incorporated strength training, which is vital for women in midlife. “I can’t stress enough how essential it is to build muscle,” she reiterated. “In February, the scale wasn’t budging until I committed to all those leg and glute exercises. Within a week, the results were apparent.” She detailed that her routine includes lunges, squats, deadlifts, and floor exercises with ankle weights.

This time around, while Drummond chose to embrace moderation instead of complete sobriety, she now dilutes her wine with sparkling water. Like many who have successfully transformed their bodies, she emphasized that tracking her progress was crucial, recommending an app called Happy Scale.

Refreshingly honest, Drummond acknowledges the fluctuation of weight loss and recognizes it’s an ongoing journey, admitting she will “always experience weigh-in ups and downs.”

She concluded, “I still have a passion for food, and I continue to cook the same meals for my family and myself.”