Ricki Lake’s Rumba with Weight

Divabetic: Ricki Rumbas With her Weight

“Dancing With the Stars” was very good for Ricki Lake’s figure and health. But the experience has had a lasting effect on her mental health as well. “I sort of have Post-Traumatic Stress from it,” Lake said. “I haven’t been used to that kind of level of fame.”

She talked about the weight loss from ‘DWTS’ that led to magazine covers and interviews and a much higher public profile than she’s enjoyed in years. “You’ve lost all this weight and you want to maintain it, but you’re not dancing six hours a day anymore.”

But she is grateful for the experience, and she has managed to keep the weight off. “I think it’s great because I’m going to go back to TV next year,” Lake said.  She’s returning to her talk show roots with “The Ricki Lake Show,” coming in September 2012.

Ricki Lake Is Inspired by Kirstie Alley on DWTS

Divabetic: Ricki Lake Dances Off Weight

Former talk show host, Ricki Lake said she decided to join the cast of ‘Dancing With The Stars’ (DWTS) after by being inspired by Kirsty Alley’s weight loss. Kirstie Alley lost a significant amount of weight as she danced her way into last season’s finals  on DWTS.

“I was like, I gotta do this,” Lake said. “The stories, it’s so compelling. Kirstie Alley … that was what pushed me over the edge. Seeing what happened to her physically, seeing what happened internally. You could see on her face, every week, that confidence. You want that feeling.”

Both Alley and Lake have battled weight problems throughout their lives. Alley dropped several pounds while competing on DWTS.

So how many pounds will Ricki lose this season? Well, we’ll just have to wait and see.  But judging from the results she already experienced since the contestant’s training sessions began it’s safe to say, she’s off to a good start.

“I’ve lost 8 and an a half inches in two weeks, “ Lake told OnTheRedCarpet.com  “I mean seriously, three inches in my waist, three inches in my hips … you know I do have some weight to lose but I’m not that big. I feel great and you know, I’m committing to this thing,” she added.

Lake’s partner for the season is three-time “Dancing With The Stars” champion Derek Hough, who returns to the show after taking off for a season to work on a movie.

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