I’m so glad y’all are here. I can’t wait to spend the next 31 days talking together about living a healthier life.
Before we dive in, I feel like I need to share my story. Whenever I share my story, I feel like I have a net full of butterflies in my stomach fighting to get free.
Right now is no different. I’m nervous. I feel raw. And exposed.
But, that’s okay. My comfort zone is not where I need to be right now. If sharing my story will empower and inspire just one person, then it’s worth it. Comfort zones aren’t where the fun happens anyway, right?
Here goes . . . .
I had my first baby at the age of 19, baby number two was born after I turned 21, the next one at 24, then 27, and 29. Over that ten year time span, I lost and gained weight and lost and gained weight and lost and gained weight . . . . until I decided to stop trying to lose weight and just focus on gaining it. I was really good at that.
In reality, I gave up.
I gave up on ever being healthy. I gave up on ever feeling good about myself again. I gave up on ever feeling sexy.
I just . . . . . . gave up.
Over time, my weight gradually increased.
It wasn’t in a flash. It wasn’t in the blink of an eye. It was a slow process.
Years of inactivity and overindulgence.
It was the slowness, spread out over years, that left me oblivious to how completely unhealthy I had allowed myself to become. It took the culmination of little things, painful things . . . . humiliating things added up to finally grab my attention.
I’ve mentioned before about walking up stairs and having difficulty breathing, being unable to tie my shoes because my stomach area was so large, but there was also the embarrassment about not being able to fit into certain seats in public, the fear of having to ask for a seat belt extender on an airplane, the fear of my man not finding me desirable anymore, the countless silent tears shed into my pillow at night, or the pressure I put on myself to be funny in order to distract people from how I looked.
I wanted to share this picture because I don’t want to paint a completely bleak picture of my life before. I had many, many, many happy moments. I laughed. A lot. Life was good.
Yet, there came a time the private pain outweighed all the rest. I decided enough was enough.
December 6, 2010 was the day I decided to take back my health. It was the day I decided to fight.
It’s been an ugly fight at times, but marked by so many victories. Yes, I’m down over 80 pounds, but my fight isn’t over. I’m still fighting and I’ll keep fighting because giving up is not an option. Not anymore.
I want you to hear me.
Your health is worth fighting for.
Do not give up.
I’ve been where you are.
I know the emotions you’re feeling.
I know how much it hurts.
Decide today to take back your health.
Decide today to put on your boxing gloves, face down the ugly monster and say “It’s on!”
P. S. I’m guest posting over at Sweat is my Sanity today. I’d love for you to stop by.
So gorgeous girl! And so glad you are sharing your story to inspire others! Can’t wait to read it all!
Your off to a good start! You have a fabulous story and I can’t wait to read these next 31 Days.
~FringeGirl
You are awesome. I am so proud of you! Such an amazing inspiration. I’m about to start my fight, too.
Again… 
Get those boxing gloves on, girl!
Oh Ruthanne, you have no idea how much I need this right now. 10 weeks out with baby number 3 and need to start reclaiming my body and my health. I can’t wait to read every day!
Congratulations on the new baby!
I’m so proud of you, Ruthanne. I love that you shared your heart and private experience, even if it was hard. You will inspire {already have} countless people and I’m excited to see what God does, through you.
Can we be BFFs?
you have inspired me sooo much. I actually just preached at my church a couple of Sundays ago and shared how you are one of the ones that inspired me to begin the C25K. Thank you!
Giiiiiirl! I thought we were already BFFs.
Thank you for sharing your story! You’re an inspiration! I can’t wait for the rest of the month!!!
Oh how I wish you You could come to work with me and talk with my patients. I am a cardiac nurse, and my average patient weighs 250. At times it seems like they are clueless as to why they are in this situation. I just may start sending some to your blog. Maybe you can inspire them too. I cannot wait to read about your progress. God gave each and everyone of us one body. We need to start respecting that. Good Luck!
Honestly, I think most of the time we all see what we want to see – not what we need to see. I know first hand.
You are quite an inspiration to put it all out there like you do. You help so many by being so raw!!! We all respect that and appreciate it. I was inspired to starts the C25K BY YOU back in the spring. I’ve NEVER enjoyed running. Only did it as conditioning for other sports. I LOVED it and actually looked forward to it. Then, out of no where, on June 9th, I had excruciating pain in my neck, left shoulder, and left arm. Turned out I had a bulging disc and multiple bone spurs…conveniently at the same location in my neck. It was pinching the nerve that controlled my left deltoid. I tried everything naturally that I could to avoid surgery for 10 weeks. Unfortunately, I had to have surgery on Aug 20th. I had to have the bulging disc removed, all bone spurs removed, disc replaced with donor bone and a titanium plate attached to C4/C5 to hold them together to help with the fusion. They did it through the front of my neck….like they did Peyton Manning’s 3rd surgery (the one that worked). My incision looks great…right in the natural crease of my neck. Had a little setback with the internal stitches getting infected, but I’m getting better every day. I’m still limited to only lifting 10lbs and going to PT. I’m released to walk an hour a day…haven’t felt THAT good yet to go that long, but have been walking some everyday. But I just want you to know that with this major setback to my training, I’m sooooooo looking forward to getting back to it! I sure hope I can. I mean, if Peyton can play football, surely I can do C25K…… If not, I’ll have to figure something else out because I WILL CHANGE THIS BODY THAT I DON’T RECOGNIZE BACK TO THE ONE I ONCE KNEW AND FELT CONFIDENT IN!!!!! Thank you!!!!
Oh my goodness, Shelly! You have had quite the ordeal. I’m so sorry you’ve had such a hard time. I hope you recover quickly!
Thanks so much for the guest post today. I’d love it if you’d link back to it so you’re readers can check it out too. I’ve linked to yours and am tweeting away.
xo, Jess
SweatIsMySanity.com
I love your attitude. Here’s to all the ladies who put on the boxing gloves from your inspired story!
I started the C25K program in February at the urging of a friend. Now, 3 miles is an easy run. I love that. Sunday I run my first 10 mile and will do my first half at the end of the month. I’m turning 40 in January and I am so grateful that I now know it’s never too late to start something good. Happy running, Ruthanne!
Thank you so much for your transparency, Ruthanne. You’re a tremendous inspiration. And after reading this, I’ve coined a new phrase – “People don’t relate to perfect people.” Letting your guard down and being authentic is what causes people to relate and love you – here and wherever in life. It’s only when we’re real that we can have genuine relationships and relatability. Kudos to you for being willing to do that.
And you look fabulous, girl! I never would’ve imagined that you had that much extra weight, because it never really looked like it. I never thought you looked bad at all. But now? Now you’re hawt and you’re rocking the running and blogging worlds! You go, girl!!
Is it day 2 yet? I need to read more!
Thank you for sharing.
Congrats Ruthanne! What inspiration! I started Couch 2 5k in March 2011 and ran a few halves and am now training for my first full. Isn’t it amazing what running can for us?! I don’t know where I would be without it!
Girl! You inspire me!
I love the “I want you to hear me.” part. I needed to hear that! Thank you.
um.
amazingly wonderful post.
inspiring.
ps:
i think you were beautiful before, gorgeous now.
You inspire me.
Hi Ruthanne. I recently joined Arkansas Women Bloggers where I discovered your blog, and I’m so glad I found you. I can so relate to this post.
It’s amazing how one’s weight can creep up, and then, BAM! you’re out of shape and unhealthy. I was always athletic in my younger days, and I’m saddened at the state I now find myself.
I quit playing softball approximately 13 years ago, just prior to son #1. The weight started slowly creeping up then. Son #2, more weight. I quit smoking about 3 years ago and the weight has continued to creep up ever since. Now, I’m in my mid-to-late 40s, about 60/70 pounds overweight, on blood pressure medicine, suffering from asthma, joint pains, etc. I also have a 9 year old son who weighs 100 pounds. I have to do something not only for myself but to set a better example for my two boys.
I received a slap in the face last week when my boys’ pediatrician handed me a piece of paper regarding a Brain Function Study being held at AR Children’s Hospital for children whose BMI is in the 95th percentile for their age. She stated that my baby qualified….. *sniff sniff* 95th percentile!
I’m trying to get more exercise, but there always seems to be some convenient excuse, i.e., my treadmill died, it’s cold outside and I can’t walk/run in the cold because of my asthma, etc. The sheer amount of weight I need to lose often overwhelms me. Pathetic, I know – It is what it is. Your blog has been inspiring and a reminder that it is possible – one step at a time.
Thank you.