Ricki Lake Weight Loss: Star Opens Up to GMA After Losing 35 Pounds ‘This Is What She Looks Happy’

Ricki Lake is opening up for the first time about her recent weight loss journey and says she was able to lose 35 pounds without using medication.

Lake told “Good Morning America” ​​that she made the decision to bet on herself and, in the process, discovered new happiness.

“I feel the best I can remember in my life,” Lake told ABC News’ Kayna Whitworth. I have this new marriage and I am very happy with this incredible man, my perfect man. And if I highlight something that didn’t work in our lives, it’s that we were carrying that extra weight.”

Throughout her long career, Lake has been an open book about her weight challenges and health issues. But in the past seven months, she said she and her husband teamed up to lose weight and began sharing their joint journey on Instagram.

“It’s been a commitment. You know, it’s been a financial commitment. It’s been a time commitment,” Lake said. “But it’s amazing. I’m very happy and proud of us.”

Lake said the 55-year-old is in perimenopause and said a doctor suggested she take medication to help her lose weight, an idea she disagreed with.

“He was saying you weren’t going to be successful without him, that’s what he told me,” Lake recalled. “And I like challenges. And I like proving people wrong. And that pissed me off.”

“I was just reluctant. And I wanted to try it on my own. So I said to my husband, ‘Do you want to go on this ride with me?’ And he says, ‘Sure,'” Lake said.

Lake and her husband of two years, Ross Burningham, began intermittent fasting, began following the ketogenic diet, and began exercising, including Pilates and sleep tracking.

Lake said his big changes paid off and he has lost 35 pounds since October. He said Burningham has lost almost 40 pounds.

“I’m like, ‘This is what happiness looks like.’ This is really, I could cry. I’m so happy, I’m so happy,” Lake added.

In March, Lake showed off her weight loss by wearing her famous red swimsuit, which she wore for the cover of Us Weekly in May 2007. She recently wore another dress in which she walked the red carpet at the Hollywood Film Festival. 2007 Tribeca.

“Oh, this old thing? I just had it kicking around. I originally wore this dress to the world premiere of Business of Being Born in 2007 and now here I am wearing it again in 2024.” Lake captioned her Instagram post.

Burningham compared his wife’s “dedication” to his weight loss journey to that of a dog chasing a bone.

“She’s tenacious,” he said. “When she decides she’s going to do something, she gets involved and just goes after it. And she’s inspiring.”

For anyone who wants to make a change for themselves, Lake recommends starting from a place of positivity and gratitude and then working hard to make it happen.

With her new energy, Lake is dedicating herself to helping others through her work with Community Access, an organization that provides job training and housing assistance to people struggling with mental illness. It’s a cause she embraces in honor of her late husband Christian Evans, who committed suicide after experiencing mental health issues.

“I think it’s magical up there and it’s taking care of me,” Lake said. “I think he chose Ross for me. Yes, I have a deep understanding that he has left his mark on me.”

Lake said he is now looking forward to the future and that his best days are on the horizon.

“I’ve been famous since I was 18, for ‘Hairspray.’ And yet, these are the sweetest days,” Lake said.