Kyle Richards, the star of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, has embarked on a remarkable fitness journey over the past few years and at 55 years old, she's in the best shape of her life. Her commitment to health and wellness is truly inspiring. Navigating life's challenges, including her separation from her husband Mauricio Umansky, Richards has prioritized her physical and mental well-being, proving that it's never too late to transform your life.
A Holistic Approach to Wellness
Richards' journey is not just about physical transformation; it's a holistic approach that encompasses diet, exercise, and mental health. She openly shares her experiences, inspiring others to adopt a healthier lifestyle.
Dispelling the Ozempic Rumors
In 2023, after showing off a slimmer figure, many followers wondered if she’d turned to weight-loss pills. Richards has been candid about her fitness journey, emphasizing that her transformation is the result of hard work and dedication, not a quick fix like Ozempic. “Sometimes I turn my cheek the other way and ignore it, but I work really hard and it really bothers me, and I would like to be able to be an inspiration to people,” Richards told Extra in 2023 while denying rumors that she had taken Ozempic. “So don’t think I took the easy way out. Like, follow what I’m doing and you’ll see changes.”
The Turning Point: Europe and Self-Care
After undergoing breast reduction surgery in 2022, Richards had to pause her workout routine for eight weeks. A European vacation followed, filled with pasta, wine, and cocktails, leading to a weight gain that left her feeling unlike herself. Compounding this, she was also grieving the loss of her best friend to suicide.
“By the end of the trip, I didn’t recognize myself. I had also just lost my best friend to suicide, and I wasn’t taking care of myself. And (it was) making me feel more depressed," she told US Weekly in 2023. This was her turning point. Richards decided to take charge of her health, both mentally and physically. “I was like, ‘OK, this is what I’m going to do to take charge of feeling good mentally and physically,’” Richards says of setting a wellness plan.
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Diet Overhaul: Cutting Sugar and Carbs
Upon returning from her European vacation in 2022, Richards made significant changes to her diet. "So after we left, I said, 'That’s it. I’m not going to have bad carbs - no sugar, no pasta, no bread, no alcohol. And I’m going to work out every single day,'" she told US Weekly.
She emphasizes a balanced approach, focusing on protein, vegetables, and fruit, with occasional carbs. "I am not following the keto diet," she continued. "Just basically, I eat protein, vegetables, fruit, and carbs once in a while. But I do eat fruits and vegetables all the time, and I really love cereal.”
She prefers eating at home to maintain control over her food intake. "I like eating at home so I know what’s going into my food."
A typical day might include:
- Breakfast: A protein shake with a banana or oatmeal with berries.
- Snacks: Apples and peanut butter, string cheese, raw nuts, or healthy popcorn.
- Lunch: Chicken or grilled fish on a salad.
- Dinner: Salmon, halibut, or chicken paillard with arugula and lemon.
The Importance of Protein
Richards is a big proponent of incorporating protein into every meal to stay full and maintain energy levels. "I'm just trying to get protein at every meal," she says. If she can't get an omelet on vacation, she will grab a protein shake, a handful of raw nuts, or an apple.
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Diverse Workout Routine: Shaking Things Up
Richards avoids monotony by constantly changing her workout routine. “My workout routine, I shake it up. I do something different every day. I do the Peloton, a very long extensive ab routine (and) I’m now doing weights. I always did light weights, but now I’ve increased the weights I’m lifting,” she said during an Amazon Live session in January 2023.
She alternates between cardio and strength training, incorporating activities like:
- Peloton
- Extensive ab routines
- Weight lifting (increasing the weights she lifts)
- Hot yoga
- Running
Running for Results
Running is a key component of her fitness regimen. “Running is where I’m seeing the most results with my body,” she said during an Amazon Live session in January 2024. She enjoys pushing herself to run faster and farther, setting new goals. She also regularly switches out her running shoes.
Weight Training
Kyle has incorporated heavy weights into her sweat sessions, wowing fans on Instagram in the process.
Cardio
"I like to start working out while working, then I add in the arm weights," she noted, adding how she'll add a few punches to the mix on occasion. While the treadmill workout starts out with a walk, she then increases it to a run at 6 miles per hour. "I try to do four to five miles per day, alternating between walking on an incline and running. I get the runners high at the one mile mark," she noted.
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Adapting to Her Body
"I always have to tailor my workout to some sort of something that's bothering me," she explains. After warming up with some stretching, Kyle does some cardio, which she changes up based on the day of the week.
Mental Health: The Driving Force
For Richards, exercise is not just about physical appearance; it's crucial for her mental well-being. “Now it’s for me - first and foremost, my mental health. The fact that it makes me look good is just a bonus,” she told US Weekly. She recognizes the importance of endorphins, stress release, and overall mental clarity that workouts provide.
During an episode of “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” that aired in October 2023, Richards elaborated on the role her fitness routine had played in supporting her mental health as she navigated marital issues with her husband Mauricio Umansky (the pair is now separated) and prior drama with her sister, Kathy Hilton.
“When you go through painful times in your life, it changes you as a person,” she said, per People. “My sister, feeling let down by my friends, feeling disconnected from my husband - you have to find an outlet.”
Consistency is Key
Richards works out most days, even when she's away from home. "I make the commitment every day. flight, fine, I have to skip my workout at my house, but I can always do abs in my hotel room," she told US Weekly.
Daily workouts may sounds like a lot, but there's a method to Richards' madness. "I just plan on every day and that way in case something comes up and I miss it, that's the day I miss. But I try not to," she explained during a 2024 Amazon Live session.
Prioritizing Physical Therapy and Stretching
Kyle's approach to fitness also includes physical therapy and stretching to prevent and manage injuries. She recognizes that injuries are inevitable when working out intensely. "When you're working out like I do, you're going to have injuries," she says. "It's impossible not to."
To combat her injuries, Kyle loves to stretch and do physical therapy. "That's what keeps me from not getting too crazy, because I don't want to hurt myself where I can't work out and undo all the hard work I've done," she says.
"If I start noticing one little thing off, I'm like, 'Okay, I need to stretch. I need to get a massage. I need to do all these things because otherwise it's going to take me down,'" she adds.
Sobriety: A Game Changer
In July 2024, Kyle marked two years alcohol-free. Giving up alcohol has been a significant factor in her transformation. "After two glasses of wine, I’d wake up and feel (like I was) dragging. Like, ‘I’m going to skip my workout today. I’m tired, and I feel like having In-N-Out.’ It was a domino effect," Richards told US Weekly in 2023.
She was "never a big drinker," but said she "started seeing results pretty fast" when she gave up alcohol in July 2022. "I don’t see myself drinking again. I love the way I feel and look," she said.
On her one-year anniversary without alcohol, Richards reflected on how being sober has positively impacted her life. "All I know is I have never felt better physically or been more clear mentally," she captioned an Instagram post.
Hydration is Essential
Richards emphasizes the importance of drinking plenty of water. "I drink a lot of water because it's basically my only drink cuz I don't drink sodas and I don't drink alcohol. And I don't like to just have sugar for nothing so I wouldn't just order something like fruit juice cuz you're not getting any of the benefits of the fruit," she said during a 2024 Amazon Live session.
Richards admitted that plain water can be boring sometimes, so she likes to drink it with lemons on occasion and said she notices a "big difference" in her skin and body when she stays hydrated.
It's Never Too Late
Richards is an inspiration, proving that it's never too late to prioritize your health and well-being. “I think back to when I was in my 20s and 30s, and I look better than I did then, and that’s after having four kids,” she told US Weekly. “It’s definitely never too late.”
Advice for Beginners
For those looking to start their own fitness journey, Richards recommends starting small and finding an activity you enjoy. "It sounds like such a cliché, but I can't stress it enough to people who have anxiety or are going through a difficult time," she says. "Grab a friend to go on a hike outdoors for an hour or take a class. It's just honestly the best medicine."
When it comes to using fitness equipment, she recommends starting with the basics. “I think you start with the basics,” she said during an Amazon Live session in 2024. Richards said a treadmill is one of her must-haves, especially for rainy days where she can’t run outside, and a Peloton bike.
Still a Work in Progress
Richards recognizes that maintaining her fitness requires ongoing effort and adjustments. She is committed to staying active, eating well, and prioritizing her mental health.