Ree Drummond, the beloved star of Food Network’s "The Pioneer Woman," is embarking on a renewed health journey, revisiting the methods that previously led to her impressive weight loss of over 50 pounds. In a candid blog post published on April 30, Drummond shared details of her approach, emphasizing the importance of building muscle and prioritizing protein intake.
After experiencing some fluctuations in her health and fitness routine, Drummond decided to return to the principles that initially fueled her success. She revealed that the key to her renewed focus lies in two main components: strength training and a protein-rich diet.
"The game changer for me is two-fold: First, I’m building muscle again, which is crucial," Drummond wrote. "I do lunges, squats, deadlifts, and floor exercises with ankle weights. Second, I’m eating more protein and keeping it a higher percentage of my calories."
Unlike some of her previous attempts, Drummond is taking a more relaxed approach to tracking her food intake. "This time, I am not weighing my food and counting calories," she explained. This decision reflects a shift towards a more sustainable and intuitive way of eating, focusing on nourishing her body rather than obsessing over numbers.
Drummond’s journey has been marked by periods of both progress and setbacks. Following her significant weight loss in 2021, she acknowledged that she had gradually drifted away from her healthy habits. "Bottom line, starting at the end of 2023 I stopped exercising and kinda stopped paying attention to what I was eating," she admitted.
Recognizing the need to regain control of her health, Drummond decided to revisit the plan that had worked so well for her in the past. In February, she "decided to jump back the plan I’d found success with in 2021, just not quite as high a gear as the first time."
The initial phase of her renewed effort proved to be the most challenging. "The very hardest part was the first week to ten days," Drummond confessed. However, she persevered and found that her commitment to her health gradually became more rewarding. "Today it’s not that hard at all, and in fact, it’s actually rewarding as I’m feeling better and better all the time," she shared.
Drummond also addressed her approach to alcohol consumption. While she abstained from alcohol for four months during her previous lifestyle change, she now enjoys white wine mixed with Topo Chico sparkling water as a way to indulge without derailing her progress. "So it’s kind of a wine spritzer type of thing," she explained.
Throughout her journey, Drummond has emphasized the importance of finding what works best for each individual. She included a disclaimer for her fans, stressing that her methods are tailored to her own needs and preferences. "Long story short, I have found that it all still holds true, and FOR ME, it is working again like clockwork or science or whatever the word is," she wrote.
In the past, Drummond has also addressed rumors regarding the use of supplements or weight loss gummies. Last year, she clarified that she was not using any such products after noticing false advertisements on Facebook that falsely suggested her endorsement.
In March, Drummond announced on social media that she would update her previous blog post to provide further clarification about her journey, addressing the issue of "celebrity endorsement fraud" that she had observed. "I did not take Ozempic, Wegovy, or similar medications," she stated in an update to her blog. "I know this has been a big topic in recent years, so I thought I’d add this paragraph."
While Drummond expressed support for "anyone who has success" with weight loss medications, she emphasized that she had not used them herself. She explained that she "had never heard of that class of drugs" when she embarked on her initial weight loss journey. "And to be honest, if I had heard of them and had seen all the results that are out there, I might have been tempted to try them. But I simply didn’t know those drugs existed then, so I dove in using all the methods below," she wrote.
For Drummond, the focus of her health journey extends beyond just weight loss. "I definitely needed to lose weight for my own preference based on where I thought I should be, but it’s more about how I feel after a few months of regular exercise, more moving, and more mindful eating," she explained. "Feeling good is really all that matters, and because of that, the weigh-ins are becoming less and less important to me."
Ultimately, Ree Drummond’s renewed health journey is a testament to her commitment to her well-being. By focusing on building muscle, prioritizing protein, and adopting a balanced approach to eating and exercise, she is once again demonstrating that sustainable lifestyle changes can lead to positive and lasting results. Her openness and honesty about her experiences continue to inspire her fans to embark on their own journeys towards a healthier and happier life.
