Ross Mathews: How He Lost 60 Pounds With Rossipes

Television personality and

Ross Mathews

opens up about shedding

60 pounds

during the pandemic, his partnership with

WeightWatchers

, and creating viral “**Rossipes**” recipes that make healthy eating fun and sustainable. In this exclusive interview, Mathews emphasizes flavor, accountability, and mindset shifts over restrictive diets.

How Ross Mathews Lost 60 Pounds—and Kept It Off

Ross Mathews, known for his roles on RuPaul’s Drag Race and as a podcast host, transformed his health starting in 2020. The catalyst was the heartbreaking loss of his mother during COVID-19, prompting him to prioritize self-care. “During COVID-19, my mom passed away. And we were so close… I learned that if it’s just me and my body at that last moment, then I’m going to take great care of myself,” Mathews shared in an Access Hollywood interview.

He began cooking daily healthy meals, live-streaming the process on Instagram, which exploded in popularity. These “Rossipes”—his playful term for recipes—helped him lose

50 pounds in six months

, reaching

70 pounds down

from his highest weight. By maintaining for years, totaling around

60 pounds lost

as he tells outlets like People and EatingWell, Mathews credits a non-diet approach.

• Starting Point: Emotional trigger from mom’s passing led to daily cooking and streaming for accountability.
• Progress: 50 pounds in 6 months; sustained loss over 12 years with WeightWatchers.
• Key Tool: WeightWatchers app for tracking points, providing a “nutritionist in your pocket.”

The Birth of ‘Rossipes’: Making Healthy Cooking Fun and Viral

Alone with his three dogs during quarantine, Mathews set up his phone to cook and chat. “I was cooking for myself every day. I had no one to talk to… I just said, fine, I’ll just put the camera up,” he recounted. What began as personal motivation became a sensation, with fans craving more of his humorous, approachable recipes.

“Rossipes” focus on

flavor and texture

without sacrificing nutrition. Mathews cooks daily, sharing everything from simple swaps to full meals. This habit not only fueled his weight loss but built a community around joyful eating.

Sample Rossipe Tips from Mathews:

• Use herbs, spices, and acids (like lemon) to amp up taste without extra calories.
• Swap ingredients mindfully: cauliflower rice for regular rice, Greek yogurt for sour cream.
• Batch cook for the week to stay consistent.

Why Diets Fail—and How WeightWatchers Changed Everything for Mathews

Mathews has tried countless diets, regaining weight each time. “I always say I should be a weight detective. If I ever lost it, I would always find it again,” he jokes. The difference now?

WeightWatchers

allows flexibility: nothing’s off-limits.

“That’s why I love WeightWatchers, because it allows you to not have to break up with anything. I remember one diet, I said, ‘Okay, I’ve broken up with pizza, I’ve broken up with bread’… Well, we got back together,” Mathews explains. The points system promotes accountability via the app, teaching sustainable habits over temporary restriction.

Traditional Diets	Mathews’ WeightWatchers Approach
Strict rules: No carbs, no pizza	Moderation: Track points for any food
Short-term results, yo-yo weight	Long-term maintenance (years strong)
Flavor sacrificed	Flavor mandatory for sustainability

Flavor Is Mandatory: Mathews’ Top Tips for Beginners

For those starting WeightWatchers or trying Rossipes, Mathews insists:

don’t compromise on taste

. “Flavor is mandatory. We’re not going to give up flavor or we’re not going to maintain, bottom line,” he says.

1. Prioritize Flavor: Season boldly; experiment with global spices.
2. Track Everything: Use the app for accountability—no guessing.
3. No Breakups: Enjoy favorites in portion control.
4. Make It Fun: Cook live, share with friends, turn meals into events.
5. Mindset Shift: View food as fuel and joy, not enemy.

Hosting parties? Mathews keeps it balanced: everything on the menu, tracked mindfully.

The Mental Side of Weight Loss: Self-Worth and Emotional Eating

Mathews describes his journey as “even more mental than physical.” Growing up poor, food education was absent: “We ate what was on the table.” Diets taught nothing lasting; WeightWatchers armed him with knowledge.

Emotional eating is a “signal rather than a single behavior,” per recent insights. It’s tied to self-worth: “A lot of us don’t think we deserve to take the time to learn about it.” Overcoming this led to health wins like ditching cholesterol meds through better choices.

• Psychological Barriers: Feeling “too old” to change or unworthy of effort.
• Victory: Sustainable habits reduce medication needs; boosts confidence.
• Advice: Address why you eat emotionally—therapy or journaling helps.

No Exercise Punishment: Food as a Vehicle, Not the Enemy

Mathews rejects the “eat bad, exercise it off” mentality. “It’s important to understand… food is more of a vehicle for your body versus your enemy.” His focus: consistent nutrition over gym punishment.

Health perks include lower cholesterol and vitality. For 2023 goals (timeless advice): build self-care routines, not resolutions tied to one day.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What inspired Ross Mathews’ weight loss?

The loss of his mother during COVID-19 motivated him to care for his body, leading to daily cooking and 60 pounds lost.

What are Rossipes?

“Rossipes” are Mathews’ fun, healthy recipes shared on Instagram Live—flavorful, WeightWatchers-friendly meals.

Does WeightWatchers ban any foods?

No—Mathews loves it for allowing everything in moderation via points tracking.

How does Mathews maintain his weight loss?

Through app accountability, flavor-focused cooking, and mental shifts on self-worth—no strict diets.

Any tips for emotional eating?

Treat it as a signal; build knowledge and self-compassion for lasting change.

Mathews’ Health Goals and Advice for the New Year

Looking ahead, Mathews aims to sustain his maintenance phase, inspiring others. “January 1 is only one day out of the year!” Focus on lifelong habits: cook daily, track smartly, embrace joy in food. His story proves transformation is possible at any stage, blending physical action with deep mental work.

From quarantine solitude to viral sensation, Ross Mathews’ path shows health journeys thrive on authenticity, community, and no foods off-limits. Whether battling emotional eating or seeking flavor without guilt, his tools empower real change.