I get asked this question a lot, so I figured it was high time I dedicated an entire post to it.
I followed a program in the beginning that I hesitate to share with y’all. It was extremely difficult. I cut out all sugar and grains completely for three week stretches and had a limited number of calories per day supplemented by HCG drops.
I started my first round in December of 2010, my second round in February of 2011 and my final round (which I didn’t make it all the way through) in April of 2011. I went from 237.4 pounds down to 176.7 pounds for a total loss of 60.7 pounds.
I realize this diet is controversial. I am not recommending this diet to anyone. By sharing this, I realize I may be opening myself up to some unkind comments (oh, please no), but I’m sharing this because I want to be open and honest with y’all about how I got started on my journey.
I repeat: I am not recommending this diet to anyone.
Since April of 2011, I’ve followed the Weight Watchers plan and earlier this year switched over to My Fitness Pal (hello, free app!). During that time, I went from 176.7 pounds down to 155 pounds.
Back in May-ish of 2011, my husband was diagnosed as pre-diabetic and we made some significant changes to his diet, which complemented the changes I was already trying to make in my diet.
Today, I work hard to eat a high protein, high fiber, and low sugar diet. I eat very little bread, but enjoy healthy fats and lots of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Since I still have twenty pounds to go, I try to keep my daily caloric intake around 1200 – 1500 calories.
As far as adding in exercise, that didn’t happen right away.
I slowly began to add in some cardio and weight lifting in May of 2011. In August of 2011, I took up running. Since April of this year, I’ve started taking several classes at our local community center.
This is what a typical week of workouts looks like for me:
Monday – Upper Body Strength Training Class / Run
Tuesday – Cardio Class (the instructor does something different every week) / Turbo Kick Class
Wednesday – Run / Boot Camp Class
Thursday – Lower Body Strength Training Class / Run or Rest (depending on how sore I am)
Friday – Run
Saturday – Run
Sunday – Rest
::deep breath::
Before I go any further, do y’all have any questions?
No matter how you did it, you had a plan, you stuck to the plan and you lost the weight. ’nuff said. You are an ongoing inspiration to me on my journey.
you’re beautiful in all of those pictures, but congrats on working toward your goal!
you are an inspiration.
I’m sure you don’t want to be held responsible for someone else’s health if they were to have trouble on HCG, but other than that, is there another reason? It seems to have worked well for you, what were you gripes about it if any and if you had to do it all over again, would you do it the same?
Just curious. Love the picture updates you did along the way…you rock. You’re helping so many people…it’s awesome.
xo, Jess
You look fantastic and I am sure you feel great as well. I have lost 69 pounds and have 15 to go. You inspire me with your running and dedication. I may go from walking to slogging..a lazy job! Love you girl
Diane
a lazy jog…oops
Ah! I wish you hadn’t shared this information. Truly. I really hope no one tries HCG as it is a fertility hormone NOT approved by the FDA for weight loss with high risks! In fact, any over the counter product containing HCG is breaking the law. I am so happy you were able to get through the use of it with no negative side effects, but you are VERY lucky. I’m also happy you found a healthier way to lose weight. You had been such an inspiration, now I really don’t know.
I’m sorry. I feel like I must be honest.
I just want to say, that as a physician myself, and as I said in my comment below, I don’t recommend the HCG diets at all.
But I DO see Ruthann as a great inspiration in determined, do-the-hard-work dietary changes and the incredibly hard part about STICKING with them. The HCG had nothing to do with her success, she made dietary changes that were not easy, and stuck with them. HCG was at best an expensive placebo. I agree she is VERY blessed to not have suffered side effects from the HCG or other substances that might have been mixed in.
I think what is important is that we focus on the things she is now doing right. Eating lots of veggies and fruits, keeping a calorie goal between 1200 and 1500 a day, keeping a food journal, working out hardcore! These things are HARD to do, harder for a lot of people that quitting smoking!
I appreciate your honesty, Betsy.
We are so very proud of you and all you have done. You have inspired so many to do great things. To go further. I don’t even consider any of the things you started with. I see where you ended up. You are an adult who can make your own decisions. Though people are entitled to their opinions based on this or that it doesn’t mean you have to share that, especially when someone puts themselves out there.
Thank you for being honest with us.
Thank you for not holding back when you could.
Thank you for making yourself vulnerable.
YOU ARE AN INSPIRATION.
She was pretty clear that she is not recommending it. I think the need for “honesty” is sometimes used as an excuse to judge people and be rude.
I agree it’s not a great program, but she has stuck with her healthier methods far past that. Overcoming food and weight issues is a HUGE thing, and she has come this far (over a year since she ended the HCG programs), on her OWN motivation and healthy choices. She is still an inspiration to me, because I’m there right now, struggling with my own food and weight issues.
Ruthann, it would be so silly for anyone to leave mean comments because of how you started, especially as you realize it might not have been the healthiest way and aren’t even recommending it! You thankfully didn’t suffer any negative side effects, are being brave and honest, as you have been so much on this blog, and should be applauded!
I don’t recommend HGC diets either, and to answer the above commenter’s question, They are 500cal/day diets with what is best a placebo (HCG), you are charged a bunch of $$ for, and at worst the substance you are given and are told is HCG is actually something harmfully compounded in an unregulated fashion. the vast majority of studies that have been performed on them have shown the HCG to be ineffective in weight loss.
The reason Ruthann lost the weight was because she worked hard day after day and was determined to make and keep long term dietary changes! She deserves our applause!
And wow–I’m looking at that workout schedule–just wow! I think I need to stop making excuses about not getting on my treadmill right now and go log my 3 miles.
Thanks for the inspiration Ruthann!
Thank you for blogging about your journey. However you got here it took determination, hard work and perseverance. I was wondering about all the controversy with the HCG drops. Did you research it before starting and decide to go with it? I’d love to know how you decided to go with it.
You are doing a fabulous job! We are currently at the same height and weight. My body frame says this is my top number, so I am trying to dip back to the 140′s. Keep up the great work!!
You go, girl! I have no doubt you’ll achieve your ultimate goal. I was in Hilton Head last weekend with FLAT LAND (my neighborhood is like a roller coaster of ups and downs) and made it 3 miles with an app that timed me to run 2 minutes and walk 30 seconds. Baby steps! Keep inspiring.
Hey there, Ruthann!
I’m so excited that you started to share your story. I’ve been stalking on twitter and following your updates and you are truly an inspiration…especially when it comes to running!
Thanks for sharing your journey in it’s entirety. That takes bravery and courage and you, my dear (as well as your writing) is replete with both of those qualities.
Keep going, girl!
Your perseverance is SO admirable! Seriously. You are inspiring ME!
Thank you for your post. Great photos during your weight loss. It’s nice to see “pretty” before pictures instead of the horrible ones usually used, LOL! I have 100 pounds to lose and just started working out with a trainer. It’s been 2.5 weeks and I’ve lost 3.5 pounds (boo!) and 12 inches (yay!). I’m going to check out some of your recipes too. I’m not on a “diet” or doing any calorie restriction yet. Still just tracking what I eat every day while I build up muscles.
Where have I been? I think under a rock. You look AMAZING. So proud of you what incredible dedication, drive, perseverance, and dare I say discipline? You are inspiring me to stop my excuses and take care of my health. Wow, I’m afraid to try running but all the fit happy people are.
Still reading!
You look fabulous Ruthann!
I’m so tired of straddling the fence from living healthy to eating sugar and all kinds of things that totally sabotage my healthy intentions.
I’d love to gear my blog more towards healthy living. I just love that you took the plunge and created a blog jammed packed with fabulous advice and resources for living FIT!
Thanks for sharing your journey.
Hugs!