SOUL, MIND + BODY — AN OPEN LETTER BY RUBY GETTINGER
Ruby Gettinger is my greatest friend, and my ultimate hero. I will never forget the first day I met this sweet soul at Billy Blanks’ kick boxing studio in Los Angeles 20 years ago. It was the South that first united us, and then it was our passion for living our best life. We became the best of friends and always supported each other through all of life's ups and downs. Later I executive produced her show The Ruby Show, which followed Ruby’s life in Savannah and her journey through weight loss. It ran on the Style network for 4 seasons. Ruby is one of the most motivating and loving women I know. Her story is truly an inspiration of hope, trust, and self-determination. I hope you enjoy learning more about her and her journey as much as I have!
Xo, Britt
Hi Y'all,
I want to share with you how the truth is setting me free. I have been struggling with weight since I was 13 years old. At my highest, I was over 750 pounds, and the lowest I've been is 319 pounds. As of right now, I refuse to tell anyone my weight! If I am losing, you will see it with your eyes, and If I am gaining, you will see it with your eyes.
When I started my journey, I never let my weight define who I was. But, somewhere down this road, everything became about my weight. Before I knew it, my entire identity became a number on the scale — And it broke my heart when I saw what I had allowed to happen to me. I stayed in solitude, shame, guilt and I was certainly not living my God-given destiny. Thank God for my best friends during this difficult time! They reminded me how happy I was no matter what I weighed.
Finally, I decided that I would never let my weight stop me from living my life. One of the most important things that I've learned on my journey, it is not body, soul and mind, it is really soul, mind, and body. Once we connect our soul and mind everything else will start to fall into place. I live my life by this philosophy, and I no longer look at my weight-loss journey as a diet. I look at it as a lifestyle change. Diets come and go, but real lifestyle changes stay for the long-term. If I can give you all some wisdom, it would be not go after the dieting quick fixes. I’ve fallen into that trap one too many times! Once I think I’ve learned not to do it, there I go again believing or buying into the next quick fix! Quick fixes = self-sabotaging. We are living in a generation where everything is quick. The truth is that it is hard work and patience that will get us where we need to be.
My advice to myself and y’all is this...
EAT HEALTHY - Stay away from processed food, sugar and bad carbs. Eat REAL, FRESH food.
EXERCISE - Walk, ride your bike, dance, swim, do Pilates, yoga, surfing — Find something you love to do. If you find something you love to do, you will not quit. Moving your body isn’t just for losing weight. It helps your blood flow, keeps your joints from experiencing stiffness or swelling and it frees you from stress.
WATER - Remember our body is like a plant: It needs water! A ‘normal’ size person should drink eight, 8-ounce glasses of water a day, and for every 25 pounds of extra weight you are carrying, you are supposed to add another 8 ounces of water. Sometimes we think we are hungry when it is our bodies telling us it needs water. Y'all think about it ... what happens to a plant if it doesn't get water? It doesn't die right away, it becomes dry and shriveled and then eventually dies. Drink lots of water each day and your health will get better.
SOUL AND MIND – Just like on an airplane, put the oxygen mask on yourself first. Everyday fall in love with you. The first miracle we should see is ourselves. You are beautiful, and you matter.
We are God's masterpiece, His creation! Get rid of your old manuscript; it's filled with so many other voices, so many ghosts. Start a new manuscript today; your new manuscript is about YOU, the life you want to live, your hopes, dreams, and desires. My advice is to write them into existence. Go and get a journal right now and start writing! When we need help, support, peace, hope, faith, love ... reach out and ask for HELP! Pray for God to help you. Do not isolate, do not stay in the bed, or in the negative places. Take a deep breath, and know that you can always start fresh. You can change your life today!
I have been so inspired and encouraged by the idea soul, mind, and body, that in October 2015, I launched Ruby Retreats. As of today, we have done five amazing retreats. We have people coming from all over the world, of all sizes, and of all ages to participate. I am learning so much from each and every one of these beautiful people.
My Ruby Retreat motto is Only love, no judgment. It's been amazing watching so many lives change spiritually, mentality, and physically.
I will leave you all with this message of motivation: Be thankful and grateful every day.
Every morning when you wake up, be thankful. We all have many things to be grateful for. We are not defined by our shells; they are just the houses we live in. Our soul longs to meet its destiny, and we will not be complete until it does.
“What I am looking for is not out there, it is in me.” — Helen Keller
“I freed a thousand slaves I could have freed a thousand more if only they knew they were slaves.” — Harriet Tubman
Our next Ruby Retreat is June 23 - 25, and we are planning another one in October 2017. I also offer private, one-on-one Life Coaching. If you want more information, please email me here. (Rubysmanager@gmail.com)
XO
RUBY
The Sweet Life By Brittany + Cynthia Daniel
