Kyle Richards Was 'Working Out like a Beast' amid Marital Strain Because She Used Exercise as an 'Outlet'

"When you go through painful times in your life, it changes you as a person," Kyle explained, adding, "I feel good about it, I hope Mo does too because here I am"

Kyle Richards used the gym to channel her frustrations amid her separation from her husband Mauricio Umansky.

On Wednesday’s season 13 premiere of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, the 54-year-old reality star opened up about how her recent fitness transformation had been fueled in part by her marital woes.

“I mean, you're gonna go workout right now, you look so good,” Mauricio told his wife in admiration while discussing their busy schedules. “You're like working out like a beast right now, you're eating well, you're not drinking —  like you're changing your life.”

“When you go through painful times in your life, it changes you as a person,” Kyle explained in a confessional interview. “My sister [Kathy Hilton], feeling let down by my friends, feeling disconnected with my husband — you know you have to find an outlet. I feel good about it, I hope Mo does too because here I am.”

Related: Kyle Richards Admits Filming RHOBH amid Marital Issues with Husband Mauricio Was 'Challenging to Say the Least'

Back in July, PEOPLE confirmed that the couple had separated after 27 years of marriage. 

A source close to the pair told PEOPLE: "Kyle and Mauricio have been separated for a while now but are still living under the same roof. They remain amicable as they figure out what’s next for them and their family."

Related: Kyle Richards Says Her Separation from Mauricio Umansky Has Been 'Too Much to Deal with' in the 'Public Eye'

The pair later issued a joint statement on Instagram addressing the split news, sharing that they had faced "the most challenging" year of their 27-year marriage. "In regards to the news that came out about us today... Any claims regarding divorcing are untrue," the statement said. "However, yes, we have had a rough year. The most challenging one of our marriage. But we both love and respect each other tremendously."

"There has been no wrongdoing on anyone's part. Although we are in the public eye, we ask to be able to work through our issues privately. While it may be entertaining to speculate, please do not create false stories to fit a further salacious narrative," they continued, thanking people for their love and support.

Since her transformation, Kyle has fended off rumors she’s been taking Ozempic, a type 2 diabetes drug several Hollywood celebrities have used to lose weight. 

Related: Mauricio Umansky Shows Off Weight Loss amid Separation – and Kyle Richards Makes Ozempic Joke

Back in February, the Bravolebrity shut down critics and claimed she worked “really hard” to achieve her fitness goals.

"I cannot stand people saying that because people that know me know that I'm up every day at like 5:30 a.m. 6 a.m. at the latest… I'm in the gym for two hours," she told ExtraTV. "I really put a lot of effort into my diet and exercise and taking care of myself, so when people like to think I took the easy way out, it's frustrating.”

Related: Kyle Richards Shows Off Abs in Gym Selfie After Denying Ozempic Use and Tummy Tuck

Kyle — who has also previously denied having a tummy tuck — continued, "Sometimes I turn my cheek the other way and ignore it, but I work really hard and it really bothers me, and I would like to be able to be an inspiration to people. So don't think I took the easy way out. Like, follow what I'm doing and you'll see changes."

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET on Bravo.

For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.