Ruby's Diary: Reflections on All I've Lost and Gained

by Ruby Gettinger

When television viewing audiences first met Ruby Gettinger, a mild-mannered, sweet-natured, Southern-food addicted Sunday school teacher, her weight was hovering near 500 pounds. As the ad campaign for the show says, Ruby doesn′t know how she got to this weight, but she knows its killing her. Having been diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes and told by doctors that she would die if she continued to carry all that weight, Ruby is changing her life to save it. Her honesty, optimism and genuine commitment to uncover all the underlying causes of her addiction--mental, physical and emotional--are inspiring millions of others in the process. So too is her progress. (She′s now down to 360 pounds!) While Style′s cameras have been following Ruby′s personal journey as she sheds the weight, gets healthier, battles discrimination daily, and struggles to recover lost childhood memories, these excerpts, taken from the journal Ruby carries with her everywhere on the show, include her most intimate reflections, insights and discoveries regarding her life "before" and "during" this incredibly transformative experience. It also includes her fears, hopes and dreams for life after her goal is realized. In addition, the book will feature thoughts from the doctors, dieticians, trainers, therapists, friends and family supporting Ruby′s mission. Everyone following and touched by Ruby′s story will want to read this book.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Memoir

192 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2009

Reviews

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this show and try to watch whenever I can. Ruby is fascinating both because of her personality and because she once weighed over 700 pounds. Her book showed a lot of courage, insight, and personal responsibility. If more people took responsibility for themselves (me included) then we might not be in this national healthcare debate.

[Patti · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was like watching the tv show.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

RUUUBYYYY! I watched her show on the Style Network (the good ol' days of the best reality TV network showing Ruby and then Jerseylicious) when I first started college and had no idea she'd made this book. This is not really a diary, as the entries are basically recapping what was shown on episodes. It has been years since it went off the air so it's okay reading it now, but I probably would have been disappointed if I bought this while the show was still on. As someone who has gone through weight and health challenges for a variety of reasons, Ruby is still inspirational to me all these years later. Side note: if you hate "southern charm" in terms of language, you will not be able to get through this. It's all southern-isms and Ruby-isms.

[ayeshaxbooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ruby is inspirational. I have never before read a personal diary. It was a new experience but i loved it and I still do. It's safe in my book shelve. My friends read it and loved it too.


This is a story about what you gain and what you loss while fighting addiction...I adore her and respect her.

P.s. I have never watched her show!

[Dakota Smith]

( My Georgia book for my State Challenge)

[Wileyoneone]

Book - In my library

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ruby is the star of the Style Network’s reality show Ruby, which I love. It is a funny, sweet, and inspirational show that chronicles Ruby’s journey to weight loss. At her heaviest, she was over 700 pounds. Ruby’s Diary is essentially a “diary” written by Ruby, though it does not seem like a real diary at all. It is obviously written based off of the show and the events in it.

This small book is told from Ruby’s perspective about her weight loss journey. She talks about many things including her friends, family, and difficulties with the weight loss. The end of each chapter contains a letter from one of her friends or family members, talking about Ruby and why she is special to them.

I love this show, and I think Ruby is hilarious. This book was pretty good, but not what I was expecting. I was hoping for more of a memoir, whereas this book is all over the place with no focus whatsoever. While it was nice to see Ruby’s thoughts, it was essentially just the show on paper. Many of the incidents she talks about are what was already seen on the show. Some of it was insightful and funny (such as Ruby talking about her made up words that she uses frequently such as “hacky” which is happy/wacky), but I was slightly disappointed with the book overall. If you watch the show, you would probably like this book, but I would not recommend buying it. I borrowed it from the library, luckily. If you don’t watch the show, I would highly recommend you do not read this book as you would more than likely not enjoy it.

Overall, a slight disappointment that was not nearly as insightful as I had been hoping for. This book is meant for fans of the show only.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is very much a book about a woman still on her journey, and not yet at her 'destination.' I found that very refreshing, as a lot of celebrity autobiographies seem to begin with the premise of:
"I used to [insert negative behavior here:] but then I figured it all out, and magically everything in my life is great, so now you go do that for yourself."

No narcissism here. Ruby has, quite refreshingly, NOT figured it all out! She has serious issues, and is dealing with them. Everything in life is not black and white, and cannot be magically whisked away with a profound realization.

Ruby comes across as such an optimistic soul in this book, yet still so realistic about all her struggles -- not just to lose weight, but come to terms at some point in the future with some possibly dark realities of her childhood that she has yet to uncover.

It was a real joy to read a book written by such an obviously sweet, honest, funny, and optimistic soul.

[Blair · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've watched this show since it's inception, but I've had a lot of issues with it along with the way. While I find Ruby's story inspiring, I find her personality to be grating. Can't stand her "Rubyisms," which were present in abundance in this book. The most disappointing thing about the book is that it did not fill in many gaps about Ruby's life that we didn't see on the show. I don't mean her missing memories (a recurrent plot point), just other aspects of her life that we don't see as much. That would have been interesting. Instead, many "entries" were re-hashings of episodes that had already aired on the show. Kind of boring to read a whole chapter about something I've already seen with no new info. I did learn a few new things about Ruby's life, but not enough to make this book a worthwhile read.

[Patti · Rating 3 out of 5]

I decided to read this during the Christmas season because I wanted some "light" reading which is exactly what this turned out to be. I was able to learn a little bit about Ruby Gettinger and follow her life changing story of losing a tremendous amount of weight. Having not watched the show, this book did little to pique my interest. I did figure out that she had pre-packaged foods and a trainer to help her. She did delve into her thoughts and how she uses food for her emotions. I guess what really wasn't my cup of tea was all the stories at the end of the chapters about how wonderful she is. I feel for her if she must have validation to see that she is worthy. I guess that is what I got out of the book - that she has felt "less than" and losing weight is helping her come out and enjoy life.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe you have seen Ruby’s show on TV: where she shares her ups and downs of her battle with losing weight. She started the journey at over 700 pounds and is continuing to lose. Things happen; weight comes off much too slow, life gets in the way of her eating right or getting the exercise she needs. In this book, she shares some of the things that are not shown on the show. There have been times when she was angry and wrote in her journal instead of acting out for the camera. She shares How some events affected her deeper than the cameras could show. She has made her struggles public in the hope of helping others who have similar journeys of their own.

[Karen Brimhall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been following the Style Network show "Ruby" for awhile, and I think she's so inspiring. Since I've always had a struggle with my own weight she really touches a cord with me. To see someone be able to get down from over 700 pounds to where she is now (I think she's around 300 now... or maybe under...)really helps me see that there is no need to just give up on the idea.

Anyway, I saw that she'd published this book so I read it, and I really loved it. A lot of it is the same as what you see on her show, but if you haven't watched it, the book is inspiring.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book a long time ago and I forgot to review it. I love/adore Ruby and her show! I hope she is coming back on some network and want her to be doing well. Her book is full of diary entries with many “Ruby-isms”. You cannot help but cheer her on with her weight loss struggle. Ruby has lost 400 plus pounds and still has more to go. Yet everyday she faces the “Beast” (her addiction to food) and puts up a good fight. She will make your heart smile and in the end, she may turn out to be your newest hero

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book on a flight home from my vacation. I have not seen Ruby's show before (book was given to me by a co-worker), but that didn't affect my enjoymet of the book. It was a fast read and interesting to hear from a woman about her life, how she got to where she is and how she plans to get where she wants to go. I also liked reading about her close friendships and how they value each other.

[SuzieSeaOtter · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book being a companion to the Style Network show doesn't hold much on its own. Ruby is a very nice woman with a loving personality that just does not translate to the written page. Watch the show - you will have a much better comprehension of her personality and her struggles with weight loss.

[Seana · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are some insightful comments and tips, but there is also a lot just love for Ruby. I mean, that's great, she seems like a nice enough lady and I certainly would like to have a similar record of support to help me through hard times... it's just not all that appealing to read. That's especially true if you've never seen the show.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bought it today and read it today (I was off work today!)... what an absolutely amazing lady. Keep going to Savannah in hopes that I run into her! Would love to meet her and join a "fat night". The book was typical Ruby!

[Laurin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoy the TV show and thought this would be a good companion, filling in where the show left off. I was a bit disappointed. There wasn't much in the book that wasn't already talked about on TV

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ruby is such an inspiration. I love her show on the Style network and I equally loved her book. She has such a kind, compassionate, and willful heart. It is nice to know that there are good people like Ruby out there. I admire her bravery so much!

[Spook Sulek · Rating 3 out of 5]

Between 2 and 3 stars, really. Such fluff, but bits were indeed useful, and Ruby's personality is so opposite mine, but she glows even in print. Glad I picked it up, but would be surprised if I read it again, really.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you watched the show then you know everything that's in this book

[Brandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Refreshing to hear a southern's point of view. I like the words she makes up. Cute.

[Doneen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was basically a re-cap of the TV show so I didn't learn anything new from it. And the writing wasn't great.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was basically a rehash of the TV show but it is still inspirational.

[Linda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe her tv show is more interesting. She seems like a nice person but it is not a very helpful book. Maybe it is not supposed to be but it is only a little interesting.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book! Even better than Half Assed. Your right AA, it was a fast read.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very inspiring and unique woman!

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't put it down till I was finished with it. At times she will have you laughing and other times I wanted to cry. Def worth reading once!

[Celeste · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book...I felt it was a must read because I enjoy her show. She's incredibly inspiring and absolutly hilarious.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love inspiring people and Ruby is a gem. She is sweet, funny, and a beautiful example of the power of hope, of wanting something different, better, stronger.