Ricki Lake Has Lost 8.5 Inches Thanks to 'Dancing with the Stars'

Ricki Lake is the latest celebrity to tout the Dancing with the Stars weight-loss plan! While preparing for her debut on the popular dance competition (tonight, 8 p.m. on ABC), the TV personality says she's already dropped at least two jeans sizes.

"When I went in for a costume fitting, I've lost 8.5 inches," Lake, 42, tells People. "Three inches in my waist. Three in my hips. Over an inch in my thighs and another inch and a half on my arms. It's crazy."

The downside? "Every part of my body hurts," says the former talk-show host. But she's not complaining!

"I have two sizes of Lucky Brand jeans: 8 and 6. Usually I wear the 8 because they are more comfortable, but now even the 6 is too big," brags the star. "They used to be tight."

But it's not the dancing alone that's helping Lake shed pounds. Since getting together with fiance Christian Evans in 2010, she's been on a self-described "love binge," where she stopped maintaining her weight. She estimates that she gained 15 pounds -- so in order to drop the weight, she's been dieting in addition to dancing. The hardest part, she says, has been giving up bread ("my weakness"). And she still has a ways to go.

"I'm a little self-conscious of my arms and my back fat, but they're trimming down really quickly," she says. "So I think the longer I'm in the competition, the better I'll feel about my body."

And how long does she think she'll last?

"I'm hoping to pull a Kirstie Alley," says Lake -- referencing the season 12 contestant who dropped 60 pounds and made it to the final three. In other words: She's not going anywhere if she can help it! And with Derek Hough as her partner, she's got more than a fighting chance.

Season 13 of Dancing with the Stars premieres tonight on ABC. Check out the full cast lineup here!

Source: http://www.ivillage.com/ricki-lake-has-lost-85-inches-thanks-dancing-stars/1-a-384010

Lauren Conrad Lauren German LeAnn Rimes Leeann Tweeden Leelee Sobieski Leighton Meester