Ruby Gettinger has always struggled with her weight, but when her doctor told her she was heading down a dangerous and fatal path, the then-477-pound star of the Style Network’s reality show Ruby knew it was time to change.
Ruby Gettinger’s Weight Loss “My doctor said, ‘You’re a walking time bomb and you’re going to die if you don’t do something,’” recalls Ruby, who reached her highest weight of 715 pounds 13 years ago and has since fluctuated between 350 and 550 pounds.
Having lost 113 pounds over the last eight months, the 5’9″ Ruby Gettinger is hoping to inspire others. “My dream is to help those who are on the same road,” she says. “I want to be able to look into people’s eyes and say, ‘You can do it, too!’”
Want to know more about Ruby Gettinger’s weight loss? Here is a recent interview with her:
How did you feel when your doctor said you could die? I knew he was right because I already felt my body shutting down. I thought, “Okay, I guess I’m going to die,” but three weeks later, I decided not to give up.
Have people been mean to you because of your weight? I was walking through the mall once and a man stood up and yelled, “Oh my God!” and started pointing and laughing at me. And another time, someone said, “Aren’t you embarrassed to look like a circus freak?”
That must have been awful. I went home thinking, “Do I really weigh more than the woman in the circus?” I looked it up, and I did.
Has being obese affected your love life? I’ve never been asked out on a date. I have a lot of guy friends, but they just can’t get over the physical.
You’ve lost more than 100 pounds. Have you been exercising? Yes, I do 20 minutes on the treadmill in the mornings and evenings. It takes everything I have to do it!
Have you ever considered having gastric bypass? I’m fine with people wanting to do that, but I need to learn how to do this, or I’ll never beat it. But I will get plastic surgery after I lose the weight to get rid of the excess skin.
You’ve lost weight before – what makes this time different? I’m tired of the quick fixes. I really want to learn how to eat healthy and work out for the rest of my life. Plus, for the first time, I’m doing it for myself.
What’s one thing you can’t wait to do once you reach your goal weight? I’ve never taken a bubble bath, so I’m really looking forward to that! [via]