AVERAGE CALORIES IN A DAY

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

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.

Whether it’s your career path, your financial affairs, your weight, your substance addiction, or your lovelife, taking the first steps towards improvement can be tough. Often the change is superficial and temporary because you have not managed to internalise the motivation to improve.

Here are some ways you can create steady, enduring change; effective, holistic self-improvement that can only come with truly understanding your aspirations and aligning your values with your goals.

One of the first mistakes we make when trying to actuate positive change is taking too big a bite. We’re desperate to see results and end up suffering from indigestion. To avoid this, follow the old adage — take it slow and steady. Evolving one day at a time helps you keep your eye on the future while keeping you rooted in the present. Minor but regular changes keep you motivated. Accelerating too rapidly though only increases the chances of crashing out.

Down to its nuts and bolts, changing our lives is really changing our habits. Improving your career prospects, for example, involves developing the relevant skills sets, fattening up the piggy bank involves saving more, achieving your ideal weight requires altering your consumption and fitness patterns.

But changing a habit is more than an act of will. Choosing that lemon drop instead of a cigarette may be simple enough on a good day in the presence of your smoke-loathing girlfriend. But what about after losing that account you worked so hard on? Or when being called out to smoke by friends after a few beers at the pub?

To effectively change habits, you have to understand why and how much you want your goal. Your values, thoughts, actions, even your spiritual being, have to be aligned with that goal. That is what I mean by “holistic” change. The mind, body and soul have to work together as one.

It’s not enough thinking “I want to lose weight”. Why do you want to lose weight? Is it to look better? Why do you want to look better? Is itto gain more friends? Is itto find a life partner? But dig deeper... wouldn’t good health be more fulfilling? Or increased self-confidence? What about having more energy?

You have to peel away the layers to reveal the core of your motivation. Only then will you find the commitment and conviction to stay focused on your goals.

Join me in the next programme for more effective self-improvement tips.

My Seven Truths.

1. I have a hard time with life. I constantly think i'm starting to understand it then it throws me off... again and again. We are constantly changing and growing as mankind. Something i've always wanted is to just UNDERSTAND and have ANSWERS to how life works, what is right/wrong, where is the common understanding between us all, etc etc.

2. I'm a digger... i won't stop digging untill i find an answer or get what i want.

3. I have a great desire to make people feel... it drives me crazy when i see people without motivation or passion. Those people are definately missing out on some seriously amazing things and i know now that i cannot be in a relationship with someone who is lacking passion, depth or motivation.

4. I believe that my job in this world is to help people. In whatever way i can. But personally. Helping people mentally intrigues me most.

5. I used to have horrible body image problems. Though it has become better... i still think about not eating some days. So i can lose weight.

6. I think it's easier to be negative about yourself and life. Then it is to be positive.

7. I envy those who don't speak much, but when they do... it's amazing and so intelligent and deep and heartfelt. You just love to hear them speak when they do because you feel they have intense information and thoughts to share. I'd like to be like that one day.

+ 1
I truly believe that this is where i belong.

"A proven investigator in her own right, Melissa offers the novice those needed insights and suggestions only hands-on experience can give you."
--Andrew Laird, Founder, The Rhode Island Paranormal Research Group
Ghost-hunting expert Melissa Martin Ellis has seen, felt, and sensed it all. And now, thanks to this guide, you too can part the veil between us and the mysterious world on the other side.
Whether you want to track down and record spirits or you're just intrigued as to whether or not these phantasms really do exist, Ellis will guide your exploration of paranormal activity. It's easier than ever to detect and even communicate with ghosts . . . if you're prepared for what you may find.

"A proven investigator in her own right, Melissa offers the novice those needed insights and suggestions only hands-on experience can give you."
--Andrew Laird, Founder, The Rhode Island Paranormal Research Group
Ghost-hunting expert Melissa Martin Ellis has seen, felt, and sensed it all. And now, thanks to this guide, you too can part the veil between us and the mysterious world on the other side.
Whether you want to track down and record spirits or you're just intrigued as to whether or not these phantasms really do exist, Ellis will guide your exploration of paranormal activity. It's easier than ever to detect and even communicate with ghosts . . . if you're prepared for what you may find.