Danielle Ruhl, known for her appearance on season 2 of Love Is Blind, has openly shared her journey with weight loss and body image. Her story is one of perseverance, highlighting the importance of finding a sustainable approach to health, embracing consistency, and cultivating self-love. Ruhl's experience resonates with many who have struggled with similar challenges, offering inspiration and practical advice.
Early Struggles and the Impact on Self-Esteem
Ruhl's struggles with weight began in childhood. She recalls being heavier than her peers and facing bullying, which significantly impacted her self-esteem. "When I was younger, food was almost like a crutch that I would use to distract me during times I was feeling low," she explained. "The more this became a habit, the more I found myself eating and indulging in unhealthy foods. I was also bullied for being heavier than most kids." These experiences contributed to insecurities that affected her relationships, even preventing her from dating until after college.
In high school, Danielle's weight reached 200 pounds, leading to constant comparisons with her siblings. She felt like the only one in her family who was heavier. These early experiences with body image issues were formative and fueled her desire to find a solution.
Unhealthy Attempts at Weight Loss
Ruhl's initial attempts at weight loss were not sustainable. In college, she embarked on an unhealthy calorie-counting regimen, drastically reducing her intake and engaging in excessive exercise. "I counted calories and realized I was eating 3,000 calories a day. So I cut back on calories and made sure I was burning a certain number a day by going to the gym," she explained. While she lost 50 pounds, this approach was not maintainable, and she eventually regained the weight after graduation.
After college, working in advertising, she found herself in an environment with long hours and readily available free meals, which contributed to gaining 70 pounds. "I would tell myself I was eating healthy and blame it on my metabolism. There were ebbs and flows with me going on a diet. I was either binge eating or trying to undereat," Ruhl admitted.
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Finding a Sustainable Solution with Nutrisystem
Ruhl found a turning point when she discovered Nutrisystem. Partnering with a coworker, she began following the program, which provided pre-portioned meals and a structured eating plan. This approach proved to be the key to her success. "I did a weight loss program (there are many now) that send meals bc it helped w portion control & I needed a rly strict regime to stick to," she shared on Instagram. "It made me realize what I should and shouldn’t eat, made me less hungry/overall changed my habits so I was able to crave healthier food."
The Nutrisystem program helped her lose 70 pounds by teaching her about portion control and healthy eating habits. “I’ve tried pretty much every diet in the book and [Nutrisystem was the] first [one] that I was actually able to stick to for a year, which allowed me to lose 70 pounds,” Ruhl told Us Weekly. She emphasized the importance of consistency, noting that the program's structure and readily available meals made it easier to stay on track. "Consistency is key. Having a set program in place with easy and available meals made that consistency easier to maintain," Ruhl explained.
Transitioning to a Healthy Lifestyle
After completing the Nutrisystem program, Ruhl successfully transitioned to a more flexible approach, focusing on meal prepping and tracking her macros using MyFitnessPal. "I got off of the meal plan & [started] meal prepping (using my fitness pal to count calories/ macros/ overall making sure I was getting the right nutrients) now I just am used to knowing what I should eat!" she wrote on Instagram.
She emphasized the importance of making conscious food choices, such as swapping noodles for quinoa and prioritizing vegetables and protein. She also made an effort to bring her own meals to work, eliminating the temptation of unhealthy options.
Ruhl also highlighted the significance of hydration, noting that she previously didn't drink enough water. She now aims to drink a gallon of water each day, using a water bottle with markings to track her progress. "I wasn’t craving food; I was craving water. So now I try to drink a gallon of water each day, and I have one of those big gallons with the lines that say, 'You’re almost there!' and 'You’re there!'"
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Ruhl's Daily Diet
- Breakfast: Sun-dried tomatoes, egg whites, and spinach with Irish or green tea.
- Lunch: Chicken and a vegetable.
- Dinner: Seafood with a vegetable.
- Snacks: Air-popped popcorn with ranch seasoning, cauliflower, or nuts.
- Dessert: Occasionally, a bowl of ice cream.
The Role of Exercise and Mental Health
In addition to diet, Ruhl incorporated exercise into her routine. She began working out in college, initially focusing on cardio. Now, she goes to the gym four times a week, combining running with strength training. "I went everyday, and did primarily cardio with minimal strength training. Now, I go to the gym four times a week. I run three miles, and then I do 30 minutes of strength training. It also helps with my anxiety, and I love the endorphins," she said.
Ruhl also emphasized the crucial connection between mental health and eating habits. She recognized that her anxiety and depression levels influenced her food consumption, leading her to seek therapy. "When I’m feeling more depressed, that’s when I tend to turn towards food. And when I’m anxious, I can’t eat. My anxiety and depression levels impact the way that I consume food, and when I started recognizing that, I knew I needed a plan that was more structured," she explained.
Therapy helped her address body dysmorphia and develop a healthier relationship with her body. She also started using a self-love workbook to practice forgiveness and appreciate her body for its capabilities.
Overcoming Setbacks and Embracing Self-Forgiveness
Ruhl acknowledged that her weight fluctuates and that she experienced setbacks during her journey. Notably, she gained 15 pounds during the filming of Love Is Blind due to stress and a disruption in her routine. However, she emphasized the importance of self-forgiveness and getting back on track. "I mean [my weight] does fluctuate all the time, whether it be up or down, whether it be the time of the year, whether it be how I’m feeling [because] like, you know, sometimes I do use food as a crutch and I’ve learned not to do that so much anymore," Ruhl told Us. "And if I do do it, it’s healthier foods, and sometimes, I find it hard to find the time to eat."
"I learned to forgive myself. I’ve worked on forgiving myself for the ups and downs. If I would gain five pounds or 20 pounds, it would be so mentally exhausting for me," she said. "Working on self-worth in general has helped so much, and recognizing that my weight can’t always be steady and there will be ups and downs."
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She also focused on creating a structured environment by meal planning, tracking macros, and grocery shopping daily. Getting support from friends and coworkers was another key factor in her success.
Sharing Her Story and Inspiring Others
Ruhl has been open about her weight loss journey, sharing her experiences on social media and in interviews. She aims to inspire others who may be struggling with similar issues. "Overall, I love helping others feel like they are not alone. For so long, I felt alone in my mental health and weight loss journey and found such a benefit in communicating and connecting with others who relate," Ruhl commented. "Sharing my story and hearing other people's stories have not only benefited those who follow me, but myself as well."
She hopes to create a supportive community where people feel comfortable sharing their struggles and celebrating their successes. "Sometimes when people begin a diet, they may feel alone or judged in their journey and I want them to know that I am here. I want to communicate that I struggled with ups and downs my entire life and finally found a way to lose weight and keep it off. I hope to share with others that if I can do it, they can. I hope we can all build a community that supports each other no matter the topic," Ruhl concluded.
Addressing Misconceptions and Promoting Body Positivity
Ruhl acknowledged the pressures and insecurities that can arise from being in the public eye. She even deleted old photos from her social media accounts to avoid judgment based on her fluctuating weight. "It’s impacted my dating life so much, especially on dating apps. I deleted every single picture that I had on Instagram and dating apps because I didn’t want guys to go back and look at me and say, “Oh, she’s fat here, skinny here, fat here, skinny here. She’s just gonna gain all the weight back, and I don’t want to get into that," she explained.
However, she has since focused on becoming more comfortable with herself and promoting body positivity. She emphasizes that true beauty comes from within and that self-worth is not determined by weight.