Emily Simpson is more than proud of how far she has come in her health and fitness journey.
“Here’s what happened. I filmed Housewives last season. Then I filmed Wife Swap and then I saw some photos of myself with that pig. I was like, ‘Girl, you’re about to turn 50. You need to get your act together,’” Emily, 50, exclusively told Us Weekly while celebrating season 20 of The Real Housewives of Orange County. “So I just locked in, and I’ve been in the gym seven days a week for, like, two hours a day nonstop.”
Throughout the process, the host of iHeartRadio’s “Legally Brunette” podcast has been documenting her workouts on social media. She even grabbed the attention of some followers when she broke a sweat in bikinis.
“I turned 50 in the best shape I’ve ever been in, so I was very proud of that,” she told Us. “I think I’ve lost around 50 pounds, maybe between 40 and 50.”
Emily — who shares daughter Annabelle and twin sons Luke and Keller with husband Shane Simpson — didn’t hesitate to reveal she used a weight-loss drug to kick-start her journey. At the same time, the Bravo star believed it’s only part of her story.
“I did take a GLP-1, so I always want to be honest about that,” she shared. “But I don’t think that you can transform the way I did with just that. I also spent hours and hours and hours lifting weights in the gym.” (Originally developed for type 2 diabetes, GLP-1 drugs have also gained popularity for their weight loss benefits.)
During the season 20 premiere of RHOC on Thursday, July 9, several cast members praised Emily for how great she looked.
According to Jennifer Pedranti, her costar and friend has put in the work away from the cameras to feel her best.
“Emily’s moved to the same gym [as me]. I see her there seven days a week,” Jennifer, 49, told Us. “She works her literal bleep off, and when I’m not there, I get text messages. ‘Where are you?’ I’m like, ‘Girl, I’m sleeping. Are you there again?’ It’s incredible. It’s so inspiring to women, to all of us, with the work she puts in.”
No matter how busy life gets, Emily supports women taking time to prioritize themselves and do something that makes them feel good.
Saying “yes,” she said, could be the start of a beautiful new journey.
“I would say just do it, and I know a lot of people say, ‘How do you get motivated?’” Emily said. “But for me, it wasn’t motivation. It was just more about dedication. It’s a journey. You have to just think 12 months out — not tomorrow.”
The Real Housewives of Orange County airs on Bravo Thursdays at 8 p.m. Stream new episodes the next day on Peacock.
