I have been a big big fan of Ruby since I first saw her reality show a few years back. I don’t know why it really struck a cord with me, but I adore her. She had a show a few years back that documented her life in the South and weight loss. Ruby was always open about her struggles on the show and worked with a trainer, dietician and therapist (<- very important for some people’s journey).
(source)
I was overjoyed when I received an offer to speak with Ruby through her publicist. As a fervent admirer of her journey toward healthy living, I couldn’t wait to chat with her. Despite facing a setback last year when her brother passed away, Ruby is still determined to achieve her weight loss goals. She has taken up the 90-day Visalus Challenge and aims to shed significant pounds in a short amount of time. With plussizezeal.com which served as a good source of motivation, Ruby’s inspiring journey can be told to many people who face similar obstacles in their pursuit of a healthy lifestyle..
She’s also currently training for a triathlon in March. She’s working up to do a 1 mile walk, 1 mile bike and 1 mile hike in LA. (I’ll be back with details on this if local readers want to come out and participate or watch!!!)
Ruby struggled with her weight since she was a child so we chatted a lot about that.
Ruby: “My mom was incredible, but she was an enabler. I was 300 pounds at the age of 15. She let me eat whatever i wanted to eat. That is so bad for you… eventually it will kill you.”
Monica: “What can we do to help prevent kids from becoming overweight?”
Ruby: “They have Pizza Hut and fast food in school. Please don’t have junk in your home. A child is going to grab whatever is there. If you have an apple or an orange or a cookie – what are you going to choose? I think we should eat healthy around children. don’t beat them up. Don’t tell them they’re fat. Don’t make their self esteem go any lower than it is. I know a lot of parents try to compensate, they feel guilty for working or being busy. I know a lot of parents want to make their kids feel happy. But, we have to take back control. You’re going to hurt them later in life.”
Monica: “When did you start dieting?”
Ruby: “In high school we would go to get fast foods. I was the one getting bigger, I wasn’t an outcast. I felt like I belonged with my friends. But when i first got my first crush at 16, he said ‘I like you but you need to lose some weight.’ I did try to. I tried every diet out there. But the quick fix, that doesn’t work.”
Monica: “Where are you now on the journey?”
Ruby: “When my mother died and the show it broke my heart. It was a year February 8. I lost all control. I gained back to 398. I made up my mind October 11th and went to my trainer. I was ready to change.
It’s not about being the perfect 10 or a perfect person. I just want to be able to do what Iwant to do. If I want to ride a roller coaster I can.
Today I am 352! I weighed in 2 weeks ago.”
Monica: “Do you have any tips for people struggling with their weight loss?”
Ruby: “It’s so important to write down what you eat. I know people use
spark people or my fitness pal. Whatever I eat, I a going to write it down. I am going to have to burn it.”
Monica: “What are you eating these days?”
Ruby: “If I want something sweet I make these protein muffins that are on my Pinterest.” <- I’ll try to find the recipe for you guys, but I don’t have it now.
Ruby DVD Season One Giveaway – To Enter Leave a Comment with what you are eating for lunch today.
Open to residents of the US and Canada. Closes 2/14/13 at 8pm PST.
Winner of the Applebee’s Giveaway: (email me and I’ll send you the gift card)
Winner of the Theragesic Giveaway: (the company will contact you for info)
GRAND PRIZE WINNER: Lauren Clark
RUNNER UP: Adrienne Graves & RUNNER UP: Patty Thomas
Love this post! I’m having leftover tilapia and carrots & peas from dinner last night! Yummy!
So inspirational! I am rooting for you Ruby!
Today I had a creation I made up…left over chicken, black and pinto beans, bell peppers, corn and some cheese all mixed together. It was excellent! I love anything with beans in it!
I am enjoying a spring mix salad with homemade vinaigrette and
marinated cucumbers by Mama Pea (Sarah at peasandthankyou.com).
Thanks for the giveaway! Such an inspirational story 🙂
I had a large Greek salad with pita bread and hummus. Delish!! 🙂
I am eating bbq chicken breast, roasted yam fried and roasted Brussel sprouts 🙂 Yum Yum! I sent my fiance a box of cookies for V-Day…and I am eating Brussel sprouts!!!!
Chicken Salad Sandwich! Thanks for the contest.
I am having a turkey sandwich with spring mix and swiss cheese that my honey made me. 🙂
I am going to have some roasted turkey and veggies.
Roast potato and broccoli with chicken! Yum!
My lunch today, since I’m out on the road for work, was a combo at Panera. Chicken noodle soup and the Asian chicken salad…delicious.
BBQ dried “soy” meat jerky sandwich – threw together in 3 seconds!
I made myself a tuna melt for lunch with a tomato & zucchini soup from whole foods. The winner of the Applebee’s card isawesome- that is so sweet! Good choice, Monica!
I had a soft taco sized tortilla topped with a 100 calorie pack of wholly guacamole, scrambled eggs, salsa, and sunflower seeds. And a bowl of strawberries with a little whipped cream on top.
Ever have a peanut butter and pumpkin sandwich? Mix two tablespoons of peanut butter with a spoonful of pumpkin puree, half a pack of stevia and pumpkin pie spice, spread on brown bread- much healthier than sugary jelly!
lunch = quesadilla! yum yum yum!
Love Ruby! Plus she’s a fellow southern girl 🙂 I had a grilled chicken salad and a pink lady apple…plus a big pile of collards…the school cafeteria where I teach makes the best collards around!
What an amazing woman! Today, I ate leftovers– chicken and grilled veggies. Yum.
Greek Salad. And I watched Ruby’s show as well. She sure is a beautiful woman! I wish her the very best because that’s what she deserves! And i’m VERY PROUD that she is planning her first tri! So exciting!
Chocolate protein shake and a strawberry-kiwi sugar free jell-o. Go Ruby, stay strong !!!
I threw together a scrambled egg and spinach sandwich with homemade bread this morning, some carrot sticks and a banana. I really need to go grocery shopping and come up with more exciting lunches. :\
I remember seeing some of those episodes but not all of the show. I would love to see it from start to finish! I am a reality show addict! My lunch consisted of oatmeal. Probably not enough but at least I didn’t inhale all 4 boxes of Girl Scout cookies that were screaming my name instead!!
I always have complete randomness at my meals! But today for lunch I had “Naked” Blue machine and tomato, okra, and corn soup!
LOVE RUBY!!! Her dogs are so cute. Today I had a subway turkey 6 inch on brown!
Turkey pita, apple, banana, and yogurt!
i had a piece of pizza and a banana
My mom and I used to watch that show together and I remember how much I loved her- but I totally forgot about it. Glad to know she’s still making an effort to get healthy even after gaining some of the weight back. P.s.-glad you picked Cindy from Nebraska to win that Applebee’s card, what a sweet thing to do on Valentine’s day.
i didn’t have plans for lunch so i stayed on campus for a club lunch that had pizza. it was easy with a test coming up on friday.
Awww, I love Ruby! She hasn’t been around much, she seems like the sweetest, bubbliest person & so thoughtful & kind towards others. I really enjoyed her show when it was on. Very cool that you got to interview her! I had leftover turkey taco salad for lunch, delish!
OMG. I am SO jealous of you!! I absolutely LOVED Ruby’s show. She is just so delightful! I read your interview of her and I could hear her southern drawl. I was trying to find out what she was up to a few months ago or so and couldn’t find anything so I’m so glad to hear that she’s still at it! I really wish her show was still on!
For lunch I had a salad with red pepper, feta cheese, and Italian dressing. So healthy, right? Then I gave blood and had Lorna Doones and a Diet Coke. Memorial Blood Center…they’re enablers, I tell ya. 🙂
I LOVE Ruby! Miss her show. 🙁
Today I had a banana, some nuts and yogurt with blueberries for lunch.
Lisa – you won. Please email me your name and address to
[email protected]
Grilled chicken & French onion soup
I’m eating a protein muffin with banana and PB for lunch (with a cup of coffee).
I’m eating a turkey sandwich, yogurt, and some pretzels
Salad!!
Haven’t had lunch yet, but I’m planning on a salad with tuna and veggies, an apple, and some dark chocolate!!
Lunch today was a salad with leftover chicken from last night, corn, black beans, and a balsamic vinegar dressing I made. Yum.
I’m having a salad and an apple for lunch today! I loved her show. Watched it faithfully and she is such an inspiration!
Great interview! Im having hummus melts for lunch.
I’m having a salad for lunch!
I had yogurt, carrots, and an apple with pb!
My best friends is one of Ruby’s trainers here in Savannah, I’ve trained at their studio as well. Such a sweet lady!!!
Ahhh!!! That is super cool!
I love that Ruby show, she is so sweet. Today I have left overs of pasta with chicken/spinach/feta sausage and a creamy tomato sauce.
I miss Ruby! What an inspiration to people trying to lose weight out there and to everyone to maintain a healthy lifestyle. She was always honest and open about her struggle and set backs, which I think everyone can relate to. And through it all, she always came through with a positive attitude!
For lunch I am having a salad with fresh fruits and veggies and left over turkey roast from two nights ago! Just had a yummy snack of Chobani Apple Cinnamon with almonds mixed in. Delic!
Subway salad. It was delicious!
Chicken Carbonara LC, Celery, and a Clementine…Not the best but better than fast food. By the way I LOVE Ruby!
Since today is Ash Wednesday, I decided to have a Vietnamese tofu soup I made over the weekend for lunch. Then as I was eating it, I realized I made it with chicken broth. FAIL!
lunch is a lean cuisine. lucky me! I loved Ruby’s show! she is such a charming, sweet woman.
Ruby- it’s good to talk to you again. I am taking my big step as I have seen how hard you are working your butt off to get healthy. I have watched you struggle and Ruby, you are so determined that I know you will succeed and if you can do it, Ruby, then hopefully I can too.
Ruby, I have failed again. I am so fat that I have to pick up one leg to get a sock on it, and if it falls, I’m in trouble. To tie my shoes, is absolute torture. I am in such bad shape that I wheeze whenever I move. Am getting more movement out of myself as I have work outside that must be done. I’m hoping that will help. I eat properly and eat the proper portions, it’s at night that I eat all the junk. I have to get away from the junk. I am so glad that you are doing well, Ruby! Keep us posted. I’ll keep on trying.
I want to say that I saw this show as well. Every great journey starts with the decision to take the first step!
The Kidless Kronicles
Whoa! That is so cool that you got to talk to Ruby! I watched her show and I was blown away by her and her courage to change her life! If Ruby can do it I don’t think anyone has an excuse! So, your question, my lunch will be Veggies with Pesto and Cottage Cheese and Peaches.
Yes it is!
Enjoyed watching Ruby’s cable TV show. Very difficult struggles. Always wondered what became of her.
Thanks for the updates Monica.
Lunch = tossed salad w/1/2 grilled turkey sandwich on rye + homemade blueberry (decaf) iced tea.
Leftovers : ) That is always whats for lunch.