Ree Drummond's key to maintaining her weight loss transformation might surprise you – what she did

Ree Drummond is known for cooking up indulgent dishes such as cinnamon baked french toast, chicken spaghetti, pumpkin gingersnap cheesecake, tater tot breakfast casserole, and more on The Pioneer Woman.

However, delicious as they all are, and while the Food Network star continues to chef it up on her show, for the past three years, her health has beeher personal priority.

Back in 2021, the celebrity cook, 54, embarked on a wellness journey that saw her shed 50 pounds, and now she's giving insight into how she's maintained the weight loss.

Speaking with TODAY.com, Ree maintained that there's "no secret to her success," and that her weight loss boiled down to just moderate diet and exercise changes.

The Oklahoma-based guru explained: "The biggest takeaway, which I don't always adhere to, is trying not to waste calories," adding: "I could eat a plate of delicious food with different elements and colors and flavor, or I could eat a donut."

"Sometimes, it's the donut," she then candidly confessed, though noted: "It's just a good thing to have in mind."

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The mother-of-four said she didn't rely on fad diets, sugar-free alternatives or methods like intermittent fasting. Instead, she incorporated more protein and vegetables to her diet, cut out alcohol, ate sweets in moderation, and exercised regularly.

Her favorite work-out – other than daily walks with her dogs – is using the rowing machine, and she explained it's because she's "an impatient home exerciser" that it became a quick favorite.

Still, while she has been able to maintain her weight loss for almost three years, she's not perfect, and did admit: "Right now, the rowing machine is a clothes rack."

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As a professional cook, it can understandably be difficult to stay away from less than healthy food – the holidays are coming up as well – but Ree said: "I think what I've done over the past two years is knowing that I don't want to push things away or say no to foods."

She continued: "I upped my movement a bit. I take a couple extra walks with the dogs each week. I make sure to get on the rowing machine at least once a day, especially through November and December."

She then joked: "One slice of pecan pie is every bite as delicious as three slices of pecan pie," before maintaining: "I'd say just move a little more and don't put too much pressure on yourself to be that good. The holidays are about eating and having fun."

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