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

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Author: Ruby Gettinger
Publisher: William Morrow
Category: Book

List Price: ~~$21.99~~
Buy Used: $9.19
as of 11/21/2009 06:51 PST details
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New (31) Used (15) from $9.19

Seller: jubileebooks

Media: Hardcover
Pages: 192
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 8.4 x 5.3 x 0.8

ISBN: 0061924601
Dewey Decimal Number: 613.25092
EAN: 9780061924606
ASIN: 0061924601

Publication Date: September 1, 2009
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Features:

•	ISBN13: 9780061924606
•	Condition: NEW
•	Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
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Editorial Reviews:

Product Description

Ruby Gettinger, the endearing and beloved star of The Style Network's hit reality show Ruby, reveals the most private aspects of her life-altering journey to conquer morbid obesity and to attain health and happiness in this inspirational book based on her personal diary

From the debut of The Style Network's number one reality show Ruby, viewers fell in love with its sweet and spirited Southern star, and remain mesmerized by her public mission to overcome her inner conflicts and win her ongoing battle with weight.

At her heaviest, Ruby weighed more than 700 pounds. Although she wasn't quite sure how she got to this point—or why—one thing was clear: it was killing her. Her doctor warned that her diabetes was raging out of control and that she could die at any moment. Vowing to change her life to save it, Ruby made a genuine commitment to uncover all of the underlying physical and psychological causes of her food addiction—an act of courage that has helped her lose nearly 400 pounds so far! To support her on this difficult path, Ruby has kept a journal of her experiences, including intimate reflections, surprising discoveries, and current fears, hopes, and dreams, many of which she shares here.

Filled with honesty, optimism, and classic "Rubyisms" as well as revealing insights from her friends, family, and team of experts, Ruby's Diary is a remarkable record of one determined woman's complex challenges and her many laudable achievements. Ruby's perseverance is not only an example to all those battling their own weight and addiction issues, it is an example to all those grappling with personal obstacles of any kind. Anyone not in love with Ruby just hasn't met her yet!

Customer Reviews:

Showing reviews 1-5 of 52

1 2 3 4 5 6 ...11 Next »

Ruby's an inspiration November 15, 2009
silhouette_of_enchantment (USA)
Anyone who's lost more than 400 pounds without resorting to surgery, and going the so-called "old-fashioned" route of diet, exercise and willpower has to be. I didn't know that Ruby Gettinger was a reality television star before picking up this book. I don't have access to Style TV, nor do I watch an excessive amount of television. It was her cover (warm smile, confidence, with cute red dress with a Yorkshire Terrier in tow) that made me curious to find out more about Ruby.

After reading Ruby's book, I checked out the reviews on Amazon.com and was surprised to find some who criticized Ruby as "being atypical" and not a "true example" of overweight women. Some have called Ruby's observations "childlike," I think people confuse warmth, humor, openness, unpretentiousness for being "child-like." Others complain that she has the help of Style TV trainers and dieticians to help her lose the weight. Still, more critics argue that she isn't typical because she's has friends and is a social butterfly.

To this I say, so what. I love Ruby Gettinger. There should be more overweight people living life like Ruby in spite of the prejudices in this society. Although I found the letters from friends (which read like reference letters sometimes), and her Rubyisms (new words from two congealed ones) irritating, overall, her diary inspired me to love and appreciate myself.

But, for years, Ruby was surviving on public assistance, jobless (because people refused to hire her because she was overweight), and discriminated against. (Some spat at her, and in one memorable entry, she talks about a policeman who accused her of being a drug dealer, because he couldn't believe that she was popular. He said that skinny women wouldn't be going in and out of the house of a fat person if they weren't dealing drugs.) Ruby, however, did not let the discrimination stop her from living her life, or damage her belief in her own beauty. She braved the public, made friends and embraced her life fully -- she didn't hide in shame because of how other small minded people perceive (or misperceive)her. And she doesn't wallow in self pity either. To me, as a woman with a weight challenge, Ruby's a hero and a role model: believing in herself, protecting her inner beauty, cherishing the body she has and embracing life.

5 out of 5 stars

Ruby's AMAZING! October 28, 2009
B. Davis (Cottonwood, AZ)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful

If you watched "Ruby" on the Style Network or even if you have never seen a show, you will love this book. Just goes to show you how strong Ruby truly is. It makes you want to be Ruby's friend. The book is very motivational and will have you looking at your self and others in a whole new way. God bless Ruby now and through out your journey.

4 out of 5 stars

Ruby's a sweetheart October 26, 2009
ok4ablonde (at my computer)
Being somewhat on the chunky side myself (but not any way close to Ruby's size), I decided to read this book to give myself a kick in the pants to get started on another diet. It worked in that regard, I'm now watching what I'm eating again.

Ruby is a sweetheart, I love her "Rubyisms" and I can relate to a lot that she writes about. I felt like I was sneaking a peek at my best friend's diary while reading this, which made it feel kind of awkward, but at the same time, enjoying the "read".

I'm not sure how she's doing at the moment, since I don't get Style Network on my channel line-up, but I wish her all the luck in the world to get the weight off. Ruby is beautiful.

4 out of 5 stars

More of a memoir and how to than a diary October 22, 2009
Carol Toscano (New York City)
I love Ruby and have been watching her journey on TV since the beginning. What this book has that the show doesn't have is some background information like how Ruby, Jeff and Georgia first met and a little more info about her relationship with Denny. Some of it feels like Ruby's voice but a lot of it seems to be edited by another voice that isn't always Ruby-esque. There were some helpful extras like simple eating plans and advice from Ruby's doctors for people struggling like Ruby. All-in-all, very nice but too short. Would like a sequel of a real day-in-the-life diary from Ruby. In her own unique style. What is interesting to note about this is that Ruby started recording herself before the idea of a show had even developed. It's fascinating. Ruby is fascinating. The one thing that sets Ruby aside from other success stories is the attitude she had before she lost the weight. Even at 700 lbs, she went out, lived her life and was a generally happy person. The difference is that most people get that attitude after they've lost weight. Ruby had it all along. I'm always mad when the show isn't on because I'm wondering how she's doing and where she is on her journey. Her attitude, sense of humor and numerous Ruby-isms are a joy to watch and an inspiration even for those of us who only want to lose a few lbs.

4 out of 5 stars

Refreshing & honest - someone who DOESN'T claim to have all the answers, for once! October 22, 2009
Nelly (Chicago, IL)
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.

Showing reviews 1-5 of 52

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