CHICAGO (AP) — Former Illinois first lady Patti Blagojevich says her time on NBC's reality show "I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!" was a "life altering experience."

Blagojevich told WGN-TV yesterday morning that making friends on the show helped restore her faith in people.

She says the show also had some unexpected perks.

Blagojevich says she lost about 12 pounds during her 23 days in the jungle of Costa Rica.

And during an interview on WLS Radio's "Don Wade and Roma Morning Show," she called her time on the show "a really welcome break" that she didn't know she needed.

Blagojevich spoke by telephone from Costa Rica, where she was preparing to return to Illinois.

Blagojevich was voted off the show during Tuesday night's episode. Actor Lou Diamond Phillips went on to win.