TCA Press Tour: Style Network's 'Ruby'

A Savannah, Ga., woman stole the hearts of TV critics Tuesday with her simple wish list: She craves to sink into a bubble bath, ride a roller coaster and sit on her man's lap.

Ruby Gettinger has never done these things because she weighs nearly 500 pounds and has been obese her entire life, at one point reaching 700 pounds. Now, she has her own show, "Ruby," for the Style Network, which will document her struggle to permanently lose weight.

Her goal is no joke: Ruby hopes to someday weigh 145 pounds. At times in her life, she's been able to lose 100 to 150 pounds, only to gain most of it back. So far, since production began March 1, she's lost 63 pounds.

This time, it feels different for Ruby, though, because her doctor has told her that her life is at risk, and she's fighting to live and is for the first time also being treated by a therapist.

"I was always a happy person," Ruby said during the press conference.  "I had my friends, my family, just always been happy. When the health thing came up, I told myself, I've got to do this. I’ve got to live. . . . I see myself big but never like this. And for the first time when I saw myself on video, I couldn’t believe it."

The nine-episode series premieres in November and will follow her story, regardless of whether she is able to lose more weight.

"In this case, the effort is the courageous thing and continuing to try," said producer Victoria Zielinski.
Although Ruby comes across as a charming open book, she does have one area of her life she won't expose.

"My friends always say that I tell my weight but won’t tell my age," she said looking uncomfortable when a reporter asked her age. "Southern people will call me an old lady if I tell my age. Can we just say 30?"

-- Maria Elena Fernandez

Photo: Ruby Gettinger, courtesy of the Style Network

Comments

[JACKIE]

I WILL BE WATCHING. RUBY I KNOW YOU CAN DO IT. MILLIONS OF PEOPLE ARE BEHIND YOU. YOU ARE STILL A BEAUTIFUL YOUNG LADY NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO. I AM FROM NORTH CAROLINA AND US SOUTHERN WOMEN CAN DO ANYTHING. LOVE YOU, JACKIE (JK)

[Bill]

Ruby is a really sweet person and I am rooting for her to loose all of that extra weight

[Jake Peterson]

RUBY!!!!!! i love you and miss you. you can do this i know you can!! im here for you with all the support in the world!! i hope to see you soon. And am here for any help needed!!!
LOVE JAKE!!!

[Kim Sherrod]

Ruby, I was seeing my doctor and discussing my fibromyalgia/skeep apnea with him.
he proceeded to tell me about this very humorous person named "Ruby" who had spoken
at one of his fibromyalgia seminars. He stated she has an amazing story to tell and by the
end of the night everyone was in tears (including himself). As I drove home I wondered if this
Ruby could possibly be the same sweet Ruby I knew who had been trying to tell her story for
many years. Well, I looked it up and saw your sweet smiling face and was very pleased to
see that your dream is finally coming true-you deserve it. I wish you all the best and I know you can do it--Good Luck! Oh and if you don't recognize my name-think of Georgia and LAL.
Love Kim
P.S. Can't wait to see you on TV.

[Becky Hendricks]

Ruby , we're praying, We know you have it in you now. Staying sincere and being happy has always been part of your personality, Now stay strong and follow through with this new determination. And it will be a wonderful sucess story for you Becky H.

[Megan]

Ruby you are an ispiration to all, small and large. It's great that you are motivated to lose the weight for your health, but your true inspiration comes from your great love of self regardless of the circumstances. We're all different for many reasons, but you teach us to embrace the beauty that lives in us all. Thank you!

[Jeanine Radighieri]

I just watched your first show & was so impressed by your sweet strong spirit. I, too, was just told by my doctor that I need to loose weight & have been really trying. This time for me was different because my lab work was so messed up with all the numbers too high or too low. . .so this is it again - for good hopefully. I truly wish you the best on your journey to health. Jeanine

[BARBARA HECTOR]

HI RUBYYOUR STORY IS SO MUCH LIKE MY LIFE STORY , I WAS BORN WITH 14LbS AND NOW I AM 400LBS ,I AM JUST THE BLK RUBY FROM THE CARRIBEAN LIVEING IN BROOKLYN KEEP UP THE FIGHT .

[E. Monaco]

HI Ruby,
I saw the first two shows and I think you are so sweet and can do this! I wish you the best of luck in your journey losing weight!

Ellie ( : )

[E monaco]

I have watch the first two shows and I think you are very sweet! I truly wish you the best of luck in your journey losing weight! I know you can do it!

Ellie

[Jessie]

Ruby you are such a beautiful person!
I can relate to you. I lost over 100 pounds in a very short period of time and turned my dream of serving in the Army into reality. You can do it!

[sophie]

Ruby! i'm 15 years old and i have been watching your show and god! I was looking at you and you are GORGEOUS. really. you are a really beautiful lady. and i am so excited to see your progress and i know you can do it :) People can be really immature and very rude but always keep your head up. About the ex-boyfriend situation for some reason i understand where he is coming from but i know you will find so much better. good luck with everything

[bill watson]

ruby, you are such a beautiful person and such an inspiration to all overweight people who have tried and tried to lose the beast that is holding us back from enjoying all that life has to offer to people that do not have to worry about their weight. why your ex-boyfriend couldn't see past your weight and see the beautiful person inside is beyond me. you have so much to offer and anyone that can't see that , doesn't deserve you. hang in there and know that we are behind you 100%. don't give up , you have done such a great job so far and i know you will see it thru all the way. you have some really wonderful friends that really love you and you should rely on them , because; they only want the best for you. thanks for the inspiration you have given to me.....................bill