Starting Weight
460 lbs
Current Weight
357 lbs
Total Lost
103 lbs
Pledged/Donated
$6,810.00
52,844 Lbs of Food
Click to Join 'Donate My Weight'
DMW Guestbook
One of the hardest parts of any weight loss program is staying motivated and keeping your mind focused on the goal. Sometimes it helps to know that other people are going through the same things you are, or have already faced their demons and come out successful.
Please feel free to share your story or any comments you have related to the 'Donate My Weight project' by clicking here. Once your submission has been approved, it will be posted below. Thank you for your support!
From other Donate My Weight Visitors...
Hello ,
I just saw your web site and did read it a bit. I
am in the same situation as you. My name is Albert, I
am in the Belgium Army as a Chef Cook.
I did plan an operation and did have a ring put in my
stomach last Dec, at that point I was almost 150 kgs.
No clue how much in pounds and I am 128 kgs after 6
months.
I will continue and watch your progress, I wish you good
luck I know its not easy, but I think you will make it.
Have
a nice day and if you wish to keep in touch let me know.
All the best
Albert
First off, congrats on losing the first 100 lbs. I am very proud of you!!! Second of all, how are you feeling? I am hoping the resting is helping some. There are a few viral infections going around right now so you may have picked one up along the way. Hopefully you will be back to feeling like your old self in no time!
I am going to
work on being more positive and not beating myself up so much when I slip up. I also want to thank you for being the first person to give me a real sense of support. I finally feel like I am not alone. I will continue to check up on your progress, and hopefully I will have good news to share with you in the near future!
Teri
Ben,
You are going to succeed powerfully and magnificently---
Your honesty is such a powerful attribute.
Sue
I've been
following your progress, and even though I don't know you
personally I feel a great sense of pride for your 100 pounds of
weight
loss. What an awesome day for you!
Keep it up, Ben.
Sincerely,
Monica Hazel
AWESOME JOB
DUDE!!! That is just wonderful news. Keep up the great work. I like
your hard working honest approach to your challenge. You have your
difficult weeks and great weeks and some in between. And that is how
real life is. Thanks for sharing your success. You are a true gem!
Peace in Heart,
Chris
I just want to say thank you for all the hard work you are doing! Not only are you working towards a new and healthier you but you are helping a great amount of people in the process. I also want to say thank you to your wife for being such a great support system for you.
I too am struggling to lose weight, unfortunately without much success, so I understand the process is a hard one. I have also come to realize that I am an emotional eater. Whenever I am stressed I tend to turn to food for comfort. I just had my second child in March, so with the stress of working full time, taking care of the kids and running a household I tend to be stressed a lot. It also doesn’t help that I don’t have a lot of support behind me.
I want to let you know that you are truly an inspiration, and I will continue to keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers during your journey. Hopefully I will be able to find the strength within my self to become a success story just like you!!!
Best of luck with everything you do!!!!
I just wanted to let you know I was reading your story on your web-site and it was very inspiring! You should be very proud of yourself! My husband is from Nazareth and he told me your Dad was one of his teachers growing up and he really liked him a lot. Anyways, I have been battling the bulge my whole life and it is a yo-yo!!!! I have done Weight Watchers, La Weight Loss and even took prescriptions from the doctor and it always comes back!!! I was wondering what kind of job you do? I have a desk job and I find that I snack a lot at work and so does everyone around me and I seem to have no will power what so ever!! How do you find the will power to not snack through out the day???
By the way I work for welfare and send people to food banks all day long – so what you are doing is a big help! People do not realize how many people there are out there who use the food banks because of hardships!
God bless you and your beautiful family...I would like to join you in pledging food or money to the local food bank. You have inspired me. I need to lose fifty lbs. and I hope I can be as successful as you have been and continue to be. You are amazing.
Sincerely,
Dorothy Craft
|
Hello Ben,
My name is Sarah and I'm 24 years old and have been obese my whole life. I saw your ad in the Exit Zero magazine and took a look at your website and was very inspired. I read your story and feel very sympathetic to you because I understand some of what you went through. I myself have a problem with food; I'm seriously addicted to it. I've always been an emotional and stress eater, but I was never as bad as I became this past year. A lot happened with my family, my father was hospitalized in December and that was hard for me and so i did the only thing I knew how to do; I ate. I ate all my emotions away. I began my student teaching in January and that was very stressful for me and I was constantly eating poorly. Then my father was diagnosed with Lymphoma, which is a type of cancer, and that news really took a toll on me. I coped with my fathers illness by eating. I became a very unhappy and depressed person and ate to fill all the wholes that were missing inside of me. I ate when I was upset, stressed, hungry, and bored. It got so bad that I wouldn't even be hungry but would eat anyway and would eat one thing and then say what else can I eat, ok what can I eat now, etc. Of course with all of the food I was eating I was gaining weight which just depressed me more, and I ate more.
Last summer I had joined Weight Watchers and had lost approximately 30 pounds. I said I wanted to stick with it so when I went back to school I joined one up there. I struggled to loose even a few ounces each week and eventually gave up, but kept most of my weight off. My spring semester I gained all of that weight back, and then some due to my food addiction. I was so unhappy and so miserable with myself. I was constantly picking fights with my boyfriend, whom is extremely large himself and liked food which doesn't make matters any better. I took everything out on my boyfriend and became a monster. I gave him every reason to go but he's stayed and supported me every step of the way. But anyway, I joined Weight Watchers a month ago and my starting weight was 285. In a month I've managed to loose 14.4 pounds, and am now down to 270.6. My goal right now is to just get out of the 200's. It's not going to be easy and its going to take a long time to do but I really want to do it. I need something like this to help keep me motivated and to keep going.
What do I need to do to get something like this started? Is it costly to do something like this? Like I said, I'm a college student and my funds are very very limited. But if I can't do this same thing in my community then do you have any suggestions of something else that is similar? Thank you for the inspiration and motivation to continue to work hard and loose weight. I'm truly amazed at what you've accomplished so far; keep up the great work! Sincerely, Sarah |
Ben,
You are doing phenomenal work to help so many people. You are a gift from God to all of us. Thank you for including me.
God Bless,
Joan
|
Ben, I am a brother of KDR Psi Beta chapter at ESU. I graduated in 2003. I read your story in the quill and scroll and think that is awesome congratulations. I have a similar story I was 346 lbs in October 07 and I'm proud to say after working hard I am 225 lbs. I never thought of the idea you had w/ donate the food but that is just tremendous and great job. The one downfall is all the money I spent on new clothes, especially since I can fit in brand stuff. Actually that's not a downfall. I read you are from the alpha alpha chapter and I have a friend who was a founder of that chapter, Paul Levy. Not sure if you know him or not but next time I see him I'll mention your success. I found the best thing to keep me on track was getting my friends, family and brothers involved I would send weekly updates out and send comparison pictures which I attached for you to see. Keep in touch my brother in the weight loss challenge. I'm proud of you and excited to find someone else who has gone through what I call a transformation. Wayne |
Hi Ben!
I just saw on my local media's website what you are doing and I think that is absolutely great! That is just so awesome that your not only helping yourself but helping others out to! And donating food is a great way to help out the community. I myself am trying to lose a little bit of weight and every time I try to diet I always end up giving up and looking at your pictures has shown me that it does take some time but if your serious about it then you can do it. This is kind of a stupid question but what kind of foods do you eat? I always try to look up healthy foods online and it seems like every website I go to wants to charge you to do their diet. Again, I think you are an inspiration to many people! I wish you the best of luck and keep up with the good work!
Sincerely,
Jamie
Just looking at your progress and the self satisfaction of helping others is so inspiring to me. Weight loss is the hardest thing I have ever had to do for my self. I also said if I could loss for someone else I could. Now just reading about your goal and what keeps you going I believe I can do this to. I’m going to help others and I will be helping myself at the same time. Thank you so much for putting your story out there for others like me to get motivated to donate out weight. You have a great life and keep up the great work.
Denise
Des Moines, IA
OK.... I feel guilty every time I look at
this message. I'm actually in tears as I write this...not because I
have a bunch of weight to lose, but because it is amazing that you are
doing this for yourself & helping many, many others at the same time.
I'm joining your team. I don't have much to lose, but I can stand to lose 15 lbs...so I'm in!
Monica
Oklahoma City, OK
It has been
awhile since I have emailed you but, I have been watching your
progress and have to say " you go dude" you are doing an awesome job and
I
smile every time I see your emails.
I don't
know if you remember my first email, I wrote to tell you that I
have a son that is over weight and your story was an inspiration for me
and
I am happy to say that he has joined a gym and is on the right
track to a
healthy life style. Keep up the good work and I wish you much success. I
look forward to your updates every week :)
Yours Truly,
Linda
Just saying
hello and sending words of encouragement.
I participated in a local food challenge last summer where we could only
spend $21 for the week on groceries. It was to bring awareness to
hunger in our state. Watching your story puts my story to
shame....which is awesome. I can't wait to see you make your goal.
Tell your wife hello. I have a younger sis with the same name. It is
wonderful that you have such a supportive spouse. Those are hard to
come by these days. :)
Hello Ben
I admire what you are doing and you are doing an awesome job. Ii myself was a big man back in November and I started a diet weighing in at 650 pounds. As of last night I'm 489. I've lost 161 pounds so it can be done. Work towards small goals, keep on rockin.
George
Hi, Ben.
I went to A-school with you and saw you on my local news tonight and
before they even said your name, I knew that voice and shouted out
"Ben!" So weird that I was just looking at our old class picture the day
before. I guess it was sign that I saw you again and I just thought
what a wonderful idea and thing that you are doing. That is
inspirational. Keep it up. I will continue to check on your progress.
You rock!!!!
Yolanda
Augusta, GA
Greetings....I saw your story on Action News on Sunday morning, 5-25-08.
I applaud your effort to assist those that are in need, as well as you
making an attempt to get healthy.
I am currently in the process of trying to lose weight. I am a morbidly
obese woman, weighing in at about 317 pounds. I lost weight (about 65
lbs.) and back in 2006 I was robbed at gunpoint, and I gained all of the
weight back. My assailant has since been arrested, and convicted and is
serving 5-10 years in Graterford. I am now trying to get back to where I
was, and to lose even more weight.
I would like to know if you can advise on how to get a sponsor, and
how/when do they donate (every 10 lbs., once the weight loss is done).
I have a couple of ideas for a sponsor...and would love to hear from you
regarding this. Any assistance or ideas would be appreciated.
Thank you....and I pray that God blesses you tremendously for what you
are doing to help others.
Lorraine
Just wanted
to say that I think you're doing great, Ben, no matter WHAT the struggle
is to get through it. You look so much better than you did when I first
met you and you have more energy too. Maybe you don't see it. I do.
And I think others do too. So that's a plus.
I can identify with the emotional struggle that you're going through,
just not for the same reasons. Going through what I told you about in
my first post to you made me learn a lot about myself. Going from an
extremely active lifestyle where I was earning good money to a sedentary
lifestyle with physical limitations and not working took me to school on
what I was composed of physically and mentally. It was as tough a road
to hoe as was recovering from losing the use of my arm. Nevertheless, I
stuck it out because I was determined to get full use of my arm back (I
have--almost) and as I realized the little successes, I slowly regained
emotionally. Acceptance is a huge key to the process.
You're there. You've accepted you had a weight problem. You accepted
that it would be difficult to lose the weight. You've accepted that you
have a food addiction. You've accepted that there will be an emotional
toll. And you're committed to losing weight and facing the addiction.
You're as committed to this as I was about using my arm.
Now I didn't realize how hard it would be to regain the use of my arm
and how hard I would have to work at it. Nor did I realize that even
after that I would still have pain for years and would again have to
fight to become pain free. But I had commitment and that drove me. I
think you have committment to this too and that will drive you too. It
IS driving you now.
So I'm glad you're taking pleasure in the little successes. Because
those truly are the important things. The little setbacks are minor
because it's only a moment in life before you have a little success
again. Learn to LIKE yourself again for who you are inside--not what
everyone sees outside. Andrea did that and look where it got the two of
you. Now you need to do that too. Why? Because you can. Because of
your committment to becoming healthier, more fit, and change things in
your life (like your food addiction). But most importantly: because you
deserve to. There's no better reason than that.
After
hearing your story, I re-evaluated my life and began a personal quest to
become (and live) a healthier lifestyle. It's been almost a month now,
and I believe I owe you 24.5 pounds of food!
Janet
Bethlehem, PA
All of us here at DAYCARE IN THE PARK BETHLEHEM PA , are very proud of you. Knowing that someone is doing such a great thing for yourself and others..... it's nice to see someone think of others than just themself. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK
I visit
your site every now and then. I just want to say that you are a very
strong individual (no matter how weak you may feel you are at times) and
you are a true inspiration. Thank you for being a very brave man and
showing us all just how brave you are. Although I don't have issues
with weight, I was, however, diagnosed with Panic Disorder at 21, and
I'm 32 years old now. So, you understand where I'm coming from...
Thankfully enough, I no longer experience panic attacks. I have been
panic-attack-free for about two and a half years. I honestly think what
happened to me regarding the lack of attacks is directly related to my
body chemistry readjusting itself, I'm no longer pursuing a career that
stresses me out completely, I no longer obsess about the trajectory or
meaning of my life, and I've met a man who is my best friend as well as
the love of my life. In sum, I'm lucky enough that the stars have
aligned just right for me - in addition to a mild sedative. :-) And I
do predict that the stars are going to align just right for you as
well... I have no doubt...even if you do.
It seems that you have a wonderful spouse, a family that supports you,
and a postitive attitude. In other words, you got the world by the
short hairs. You've hit rock bottom: you're never going to be there
again. The only way for you is up. This is a very exciting time.
All best to you, and I'll be sure to stop back here now and again to see
how you are doing.
JC
Hi Ben,
I have wanted to write to you, but I just didn’t know what to say. Well, to start off, congratulations! You are doing an awesome job! I love reading each blog; they are so personal and encouraging. Even though I only have a pound or two that could actually be shed, I am encouraged by your act of goodwill and your determination. You are a determined man and please, when something knocks you back a couple steps, don’t get discouraged! Get stronger! Use that thing that discourages you and use it to your advantage. Believe that you won’t let yourself be knocked back again. Get back on that horse and ride harder and faster than before!
All corniness aside, I believe in you. I believe that you can beat those panic attacks too! I, myself used to have attacks, I think mine were more anxiety attacks. I remember I would be at work and I would just start thinking about what happens after you die. I would start to freak out because I had no idea. I would go and run off and hide somewhere (thankfully I worked on submarines, so the buildings were massive and easy to hide in). I remember the panic and the fear just overtaking my body and it would be so paralyzing. This would go on for months and months. The day they stopped was a day I believe I will never forget. I had met my then girlfriend – now wife a few months before the attacks stopped. Sheena, my girlfriend, is a Christian and her parents are both pastors, at the time I wasn’t. We were lying on her bed one night just talking and I started asking her about death and what do you know happens…an attack. I stood right up and started crying because I didn’t know what was going to happen after death and I remember falling to the floor on my knees and just panicking. Sheena told me to get on her bed and lie down next to her, when I did she grabbed hold of me and I passed out. When I woke up, Sheena told me that as soon as she grabbed me, she prayed over me. After that I had maybe a few attacks, but none were as bad as they were before. Needless to say after a few more months I finally accepted Christ into my life and I have never had an attack since.
Well, good luck with everything! I would love to hear back from you if you ever get the chance. You are an inspiration and don’t you forget that!
God bless,
Zach
Hi Ben, I came across your website while
checking our local news at
www.firstcoastnews.com and thought I would
drop in and see what it is all about. You have an amazing story and have
come a long way. You are an inspiration to many people, and your wife and
family are lucky to have such a determined person in their lives.
Even if the scale tends not to show any progress, just remember, how is the
weight loss you have already accomplished make you feel? You must be so
happy and proud of your success so far and when you have lost ALL the weight
you want to lose, you will be so delighted. You will get there. It will
take time. I know you've probably heard it said many times 'you didn't gain
all the weight overnight, so you won't lose it all overnight either.' Make
many, many mini goals. Celebrate with each one. Keep up the great work and
I can't wait to see each milestone you make!
Take care.
Katie
You're almost there to the big 50 lb mark!!!
Keep it up. I like reading your blogs. I can so relate to them. I've been
good sized all my life (since 3rd grade). I decided to improve my health
about 2 weeks ago, not only for myself but for my 2 wonderful children.
When I started I weighed 258 lbs. I stepped on the scale yesterday, afraid
I might add, and it said that I weighed 247. It seems like a slow process
and its hard to say no to favorite foods especially when others around you
eat them. I actually cheated yesterday and had a Reeses peanut butter egg
to celebrate my loosing 10 lbs. I really need to find time to start
exercising. I work nights so its hard to be out and about during normal
people hours when its safe to walk outside or when the gym is open.
Keep up the good work.
Whitney
Ben...You're awesome and an inspiration. I'm very interested in starting a similar plan within my church community (we are located in Slatington). We are having our first meeting this evening among the 6 of us who want to lose weight. (I have a feeling there will be many more of us soon!) How do you feel about us following your lead and donating to our own food bank? Congratulations on making such a positive impact in your own community and the surrounding area!!
Roni
Well, I've been reading your blogs, your feedback, and everything else
here. Telling you that you inspired me to lose some weight seems a bit
cliché. But, I'll tell you anyway. I wanted to lose 20 or so pounds for a
long time but just never had the motivation, for lack of a better word. Now
I do and it is, literally, because of you. I know that the weight I want to
lose is a drop in the bucket compared to you but, a diet is a diet and they
stink!
Also and more importantly, I think you can stop wondering if AGM would be
proud of you or not. I think it is more than obvious that he would. And,
for what it's worth, I'm proud of you too.
Keep up the good work. It would appear that A LOT of people are depending
on you.
CGM
Hi Ben. I think what you are doing is so wonderful on so many different
levels that I cannot even express it in words. I find you to be extremely
inspirational. I do not have funds in order to help your cause, but I would
like to at least help by passing along your information to whomever I can. I
will be following your story and progress, and I hope you all the best!
Jodi
Hi Ben, my name is Levi and I watched you today on the 10 show. I was
compelled to read your story on your web site. I just want to let you know
how proud I am of you; I'm African American and have polio since age one.
You have made my day a little better with your story. I just want to
encourage you to keep the faith and lose the weight, while helping other
brothers and sisters in Christ. You do the work of Jesus just by loving your
fellow man. I wish you and your beautiful family all the Love and Peace
there is to come to you. Stay strong, and thank you very much for making my
day.
Always,
Levi Jones
Ben I am so proud of you for what your doing and you are doing a great
job!!! I am very inspired by you and have you in the back of my mind
telling me to never give-up!!!
Like you I have gained an outstanding amount of weight over the last 12
years and just really never put my heart and soul into losing weight. I am
probably fighting depression and realize that I have lived in denial and
replaced it with eating.
My first downfall was my father's heart attack (which luckily he survived),
then my 1st born son died, both Grandparents died, my brother's death, my
father's (cancer, aneurism (not sure how to spell it) hernia's, and bleeding
stroke), 2 of my favorite dogs, and 2 cats (which I know sounds stupid, but
I love my animals). Good stuff still happened during this time too believe
it or not!!! I got married, had 3 beautiful, happy and healthy children!!!
All of this in the last 12 years. I was 22 years old when my life started
to changed and I realized that life as I knew it and thought would always be
the same -- one by one each brick was getting knocked down!!! My brother's
death was my breaking point!!! I am 34 now and still can't believe how much
my life has changed!!! My brother has been gone for 8 years now (he was 33
when he died) I can't believe it has been that long already! I refused to
acknowledge that he died for the longest time because it was much easier to
think of him away on vacation than to think that I would never be able to
see, talk or hear from him ever again!!!! There's been so many times that I
have reached out for the phone to call him and tell him about some news that
has happened and then I remember!!!) and you remind me of him!! I read your
blogs and your personality is so much like his!!!
I started my "Healthy Living" the 2nd week of January weighing in at
316lbs. The highest I have ever been!!! I get on that treadmill and walk
my buns off and I do the PACE equipment circuit twice. When I feel like
taking a break or quitting I think of you and my brother and envision both
of you guys right there beside me telling me not to give up!!!
I am proud to say that I have lost 25lbs so far!!! Not nearly as impressive
as your loss, but I'll take it!!! he, he!!!
Sorry to ramble on and on and on, but just wanted to let you know that I am
rooting for you too and you are doing awesome!!! I, for some reason, think
of you as my big brother back-up!!! (I think the shrinks call it
transference?!?)(I think I am even older than you, but that is how I think
of you and I am sticking to it!!! he, he)
Thank you so much for everything that you stand for worldwide and
personally!!! We are going to be traveling together down this road of
losing weight and I am sure both of us will have our share of loses and
gains, but together we will be helping each other up when of us falls
down!!!
Thanks again!!!
Robyn Abbott
NH
Ben, I just want to tell you that I found your site the first part of
January and I have been following you and your progress since then. I think
what you are doing is so great. Not only are you thinking about getting
yourself in shape but you are helping feed so many in need along the way. I
have always struggled with my weight and never was one to be able to eat
what I wanted and not gain weight. It has been a life long battle and I
know what you are going through. I commend you for opening up your heart
and your life to all of us and I wish you the very best with your journey.
You have definitely helped to inspire me, I have lost 17 lbs since January
1st, a small amount but I feel better already. Thank you for everything
that you are doing.
Sincerely,
Debbie Ollar
Saint Charles, MO
I felt I had to write after reading your 2/10/08 blog.
In addition to weight problems, I am also a recovering alcoholic with a
little over 15 years of continuous sobriety. I have stayed sober with the
help of Alcoholics Anonymous. What we call "drunk dreams" are common for
sober alcoholics. Yes, they can be scary--mine usually involve trying to
hide the drinking from the ones I love--but they're also somewhat of a
wake-up call. When I have one, I get my butt to more AA meetings! You
don't talk much about your sobriety on DonateMyWeight, which is appropriate
since it is more about your diet and weight issues. I just wanted to let
you know that, when it comes to drunk dreams, you ARE NOT alone.
I will be contacting you, and lending you my support, as you continue your
fight to lose weight. I didn't get serious about losing weight until after
a diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes forced me to make some serious changes in my
eating habits. In a little over a year, I've lost 49 (but gained back two
of those) pounds and got my out-of-control blood sugar readings back to
"normal", which really pleased my doctor. Before my diagnosis, I weighed
310 pounds. Last Monday (I weigh myself once a week, at the same time every
week, naked w/an empty stomach), I weighed 263 pounds--for the sixth week in
a row. When I was diagnosed, my fasting blood sugar was 440--last month, it
was 105, well within "normal" levels. I keep a careful food, blood sugar
readings, and activity journal, also paying attention to my sleep patterns
because I recently read that disrupted sleep can be a factor in both obesity
and lack of blood sugar control.
I will keep you in prayer--both as a fellow alcoholic (I can't remember if
you used that particular word on your site, if you didn't please forgive me
for assumption) and a fellow warrior in the battle to lose weight and live a
healthy life. If you haven't been diagnosed with Diabetes or other
weight-related health problems, your actions now may be saving you from
these catastrophic consequences of obesity.
God bless,
Shirley Ann C. from Jersey Shore, PA
I love hearing your story every week , you are an inspiration and I want to say congratulations on all the food that was donated and to the 5 pounds you have taken off. With all the sad stories on the news these days it's good to know there are people out there like you. I look forward to your emails and wish you and your family only the best. Take care Ben, until next week.
I think you're doing great. Everyone needs a little something to look forward to, so the cheat day is a great idea. And, don't fuss too much if you fall and have a craving that you need to satisfy. Thirty-two pounds in 6 weeks is outstanding. My highest weight was 311 pounds and I now weigh 245.
I've been doing
pretty much what you have been doing for around a year and half. I've dealt
with naysayers all my life, and it was always detrimental to my self-esteem. I
don't listen to those people anymore, just the ones that give me positive
reinforcement. Please keep up the good work. I check back on your site as
often as I can, and I find you to be an inspiration.
Monica (Philadelphia, PA)
You trying to drive me crazy up here dude?! It's minus 31 with the wind chill (-26 or so Fahrenheit) and you write a blog about walking on the beach?! <grin> We're about to get another 3-4 inches of snow in Ottawa and that will top the record for the greatest snow fall in a year. February and March have a few more storms for us as well. I'll have to send you a photo of our driveway. I stand 6 feet 5 inches tall and the snow banks are higher than me by a bit.....
In any case, glad you're been able to enjoy some time away with your wife & friends and that it's been refreshing with the exception of your panic attack overnight.
Just wanted to let you know that you missed the boat in a *BIG* way in your post on 06/02/08. You mentioned that "one day", you hope to be able to return the favor and be supportive and encouraging to others. That day is here. It's what you do right now Ben! You encourage and support a lot of us on the web and give us strength to keep at it.
Thanks friend
Don't call it "cheating" [Scheduled Cheat Days], that makes you feel like you're doing something wrong....
I think we are all human and deserve to reward ourselves every once in a while. If we deprive ourselves of everything we love all together, cold turkey, than we are only kidding ourselves!
I will continue to pray for you and your healthy
lifestyle changes/choices.
God Bless.
Mary in San Antonio, TX
I think it is really important that you are being honest. When you are able to talk about it an let it out, it makes it easier to realize that everyone struggles with the temptation. I had to restructure my own diet and it is really hard sometimes. The unhealthy tasty foods are all around us and inescapable. It takes a strong sense of balance but also just finding things that are healthy that you really enjoy will help too.
I don't know that it is strength of mind so to speak but just knowing that the long run the healthy food will overtake the unhealthy food. IT might not even be unhealthy food but just big portions of healthy food that can add weight. I guess it is more of a balanced approach. The body will always tend towards balancing. The mind is the challenging part to figure out. But trying is so much fun and daunting at times.
I think it is important to remember that we still will always have particular food cravings and it is not a giving up or giving in when we eat those foods. We are all human and sometimes we just have difficulties. The important thing is totally about not giving up like you said. If we have to start over a million times. The fact that we start over and never give up is the most important point. Keep it up. I know you can do it. Have a great week.
Chris
The last few days has seen me "stuck" around 420. I had gotten down a few more but that was cause I missed a couple of meals. I missed a couple of days because we had a visit with friends and a big dinner. My ability to focus on eating right just seems to disappear when I'm in a social situation and soon I realize, I've just had the third (or fourth!) serving. Thankfully, I caught myself after a bit. No surprise to find I bounced back up on the scale again..
I have been trying to work hard at the plan so wanted to see a bigger drop. My schedule at this time of year is pretty frantic. In addition to my regular work, I teach part time at the local Community College and serve on the board at our church. Finally, my son and I are going through bible college together. It takes very little to throw me off my game and miss an exercise session or have to scramble to eat on the road because I couldn't get home....
You know what's funny? As I go to bed, I often think that if I can just lose a pound or so the next day that I'll be happy. I try to "self-talk" about how any improvement is a victory. "I'm down from the start" etc If I do get that pound the next day, I start getting down on myself and thinking that it's not enough!! Pretty soon, I get a serious case of the "if onlys"
If only I
had exercised another 10 minutes...
If only I had skipped a couple of items on the food plan for the day...
If only I was serious about this...
Yuch.....
Hang in Ben, we're doing the right thing. We can't let our emotions be the driver for our future.
I read your blog today, and trust me, I know how you feel.
I developed Panic Disorder back in 2004 after buying my first house. The first time I didn’t know what was happening and I was convinced that I was having a stroke. What people who have never had a panic attack don’t realize is that it is a physical thing…an exhausting thing. It took me almost 4 years, several types of anti-depressants and a lot of help to keep my anxiety and panic to a manageable level. I have weaned myself off of the Paxil I was taking and am now managing the panic attacks that still come about once a month with Klonopin. Of course, throughout all of this work…I gained back the 60 pounds I had lost back in 2004. So, now the battle begins again.
I hope to lose 75 pounds this year, and so far this month I’m down 6. It’s been slow going, but I’m trying my best to stick with it.
Good luck, you are doing a wonderful thing.
Jeannette
I saw your story on the LHU alumni page and some friends of mine wanted to help your cause. As part of a new year's resolution/bet between my husband and brother-in, 15 friends and family are all doing our own version of "The Biggest Loser". We all need to drop some pounds, and some people, like my father-in-law, have been so heavy for so long, they have developed numerous health issues. We all put $20 in the pot, and over the next 6 months we are all trying to lose weight. At the end of it all, 1 man and 1 woman will win 1/2 the pot each, based on the % of their original weight lost.
When I saw you site and all the donations, I mentioned
it to the group. We have decided that in June, when we are done, for every
pound that we have lost, we will donate 1 pound to Philabundance.
I don't know if you want to list this on your site as
a donation, since we are doing it based on how much weight we lose, and not
how much you lose. But, it was your story that inspired us to do this. We
are also going to try and organize a day to volunteer together as well.
Thanks for the inspiration, and keep up the good work! It's very easy to gain the weight, but 10 times harder to loose it. I've been trying to drop 40lbs for years now, and I always drop a few, and then gain back more. Hopefully we a group of us working on it, it'll work better.
It's minus 22 degrees Celsius up here in Canada. According to my calculations, that works out to minus 8 Fahrenheit for you yanks <grin>.
As people slowly make their way in to the office and peel off the layers of clothing, the conversation is about the cold & wind. As with many of us large folks, I have always tended to laugh and joke when it comes to my weight. As I patted my belly, I used to tell people that I suffered less from the cold because I was far more insulated. Cute line but as I focus more on the need to address this issue of weight, it seems a bit morose. I decided some months back to stop the self-deprecating humour about my weight lest it become a negative influence. Along those lines, a dear friend from our church has the most wonderful way of describing her efforts at getting to a healthier weight.
When I told Cindy it was clear she was losing weight, she responded that she had lost absolutely nothing. Since her appearance is really quite dramatic, I must have looked confused. Cindy explained that it was about attitude. When you "lose" something you tend to go looking for it. She explained that she hasn't "lost" weight, she simply decided to get rid of it. Isn't that a brilliant idea?!
C. Canada
I just wanted
to to say hi and that I read your story in the paper and online at your site.
You are an inspiration and seem like a kind-hearted person. I myself have battle
panic attacks for 15 years and can know only some of what you experienced. We
experience things differently but this disorder has some pretty disabling
traits. I wanted to lend my support to you on your quest/journey. Know that
people you have not even met share your struggle. With compassion, courage, and
determination you will succeed. Anytime you need a friend or someone to talk to
just shoot me an email. Thanks for sharing your story. :o)
Peace in Heart,
Chris
I think it's great the goals you have set for yourself, and for the food you will donate to help others!
I too started towards a goal of losing 100lbs this year. So far I have lost 11lbs., and am excited and encouraged at how great I am feeling already! Fresh raw fruits and veggies really help to boost our systems and give us the energy to overcome this. The greatest weapon we have to overcome this addiction is God's word and His promises and His ever presence in our lives. I hope you know Him personally and are relying on Him to get you through. Philippians 4:13 I can do ALL things through Christ who empowers me! This verse encourages me, hope that it does you too.
I will be watching your progress, you are an encouragement to me and all those out there who are in this same situation!
God Bless,
Ginger
You are awesome! Keep up the hard work! You are doing a tremendously wonderful thing for yourself and for Second Harvest. I have faith in you that you will meet your goal!!!! I think your bio is wonderful. It is very heartfelt and I can see you are a very caring and wonderful guy. Andrea is lucky to have you in her life as you are lucky to have Andrea.
I definitely think you dad
would be so proud of you. I am positive that he is
with you ever step of your journey. When the going
gets tough trust that your dad will be there to
support you.
I totally understand about
your panic attacks, I have experienced them for
seven years now. I am currently working on the
Midwest Center for Stress program. It is a sixteen
week home course that you do that helps you work on
beating those demons and move beyond them through
education. I am currently on my 12th week and I
feel fantastic. There is tons of work to continue
doing, but I am on my way.
I have about 120 lbs to lose
myself and I take comforting in knowing people like
yourself who are struggling too. I will continue to
follow your progress as time goes on.
As I am writing this I am
trying to figure out what I can do for Second
Harvest or a local food bank here in MA. I live in
New Bedford, MA.
Good luck and God bless!
Tammy Cabral
I keep coming back to your website to see the progress you have made and I find myself wishing it was I that came up with such a fantastic idea. I honestly believe one of the hardest things about loosing weight is not having the proper mind set to get the job done and I know that is a problem that I truly have. I keep telling myself over and over what I have to do but at the same time I never seem to find myself doing it.
I am so hoping that stumbling across your website gives me the extra push that I so much need. I have not started my long journey as of yet, but it IS something I plan on doing. After reading through your site several times I have come to realize that the time is NOW for me to get started. So wish me luck as I am wishing you success as well. Not only are you achieving the goal of helping yourself you are helping others as well. I wonder if you fully realized just how many you are helping and not just the food banks. You are helping others just like myself and I wanted to take the time to thank you personally!!!
Karen
Ditto to Mary in San Antonio, TX.
And don't let slow progress discourage you. Like another visitor said, "too Fast" progress can also cause problems. And don't think of this as a diet, think of it as a life style change and you will continue on with it, even after you have met your goal. And you will!! God is good, and he will give you the strength to get through this!!
My husband and I have some pounds to drop too. And you are such an encouragement. We will keep you in our prayers, and check up on your progress, as we work to meet our goals too.
Becky
Kenai, Alaska
I was viewing the K-LOVE website and found your story. I just wanted to say "You GO Boy"! What a great story. Your story has made me take a closer look at my life and I'm thinking about making some changes in my life style to lose some weight, not only to look good for my husband, but to look good for myself and to be healthier to stay here longer for my 10-year old daughter.
Good luck with your goal! God bless and
be with you through your journey.
Mary
In San Antonio, TX
Good on ya bro! I started this year with a visit to our local weight management clinic at the hospital. I was disappointed but not surprised to find myself at 436 pounds. My wife is also overweight so we're working this one together. We've met with the dietician and she's provided a great program with clear instructions for us. I'm down almost 10 pounds.
Keep at what you're doing and I'll do the same up here in Canada.
God bless you
Gary
Hey Ben,
It is fitting that when I checked your site, I was visitor 4140. I wish you the best of everything. I've known you for many years now and I know that you have the heart to reach your goal. I have passed your message on to others.
May God Bless You and Good Luck!
Tony
I just saw your story on the KING morning news, and I went to your web site.
Congratulations on your decision to lose weight. In 2003, my VA doctor in the South San Jose, CA clinic diagnosed me with diabetes and told me I would not live to 50. I was 48 at the time, and the diagnosis finally caused me to start losing some of my 405 pounds. I shed over 150 pounds in very short order, put my diabetes into remission, and gained a very good quality of life. I'm sure that you will too.
I have a word of caution though; don't
lose the weight too quickly. It's bad for the body, and it'll
make it easier for your body to regain it as you have learned.
I have regained much of my weight, and I suffer for it. After
my diabetes flared again, I started another program to lose
weight, and I again have it under control without taking
medication.
My biggest problem as I have aged has
become mobility. You're young enough to feel invincible now,
but time will finally catch up with you. Your joints cannot
take the excess weight your entire life, and you will suffer
from arthritis especially in the knees and ankles. Everyday
tasks get harder and harder over time. Two days before
Christmas, I slipped on some wet grass in my backyard and broke
my ankle. While the VA in Seattle has taken great care of me, I
am practically a shut-in for the next few weeks. I had surgery
to repair my ankle, and I cannot bear weight on it for another
four weeks (I've off my feet over three weeks now). My upper
body does not have enough strength to give me good mobility on
crutches, so I use a walker that I can put all my weight on as a
crutch. It's a laborious process, and I sap every bit of my
strength getting from my house to the car. I wouldn't have this
problem if I weighed less, so please learn from my mistakes.
I wish you luck on your journey, and I
pray that it lasts you the rest of your life. God bless you for
what you are doing for the Second Harvest and the local soup
kitchens.
Regards,
Jim
What a great idea! Maybe this will be the help I need in losing weight. Best of luck in your journey to health and fitness. Don't give up, you can do this with faith and determination. I will watching your success and will donate to my food bank for every pound you lose. I live in Washington state and am going to try my hardest to get serious about my weight lose. I have 125lbs to loose, I have made an appointment with my doctor to get serious. Thank you! You have giving me the desire and faith to go at this with a different attitude.
Thanks!
Debbie
About 2 years ago I lost 20 lbs and at this point have gained 30 back (I fuel my depression with beer). I want to lose 50 and you (and your mother in law - I have MS too) have given me some encouragement. I haven't decided how or how much to donate to the food bank yet, but I'll do something.
Good luck, don't give up, and THANK YOU!!!
Felisa
There are a few things I would like to say. First congratulations on such a great goal, I read the article in the Morning Call, and by the end of the article it was like a wonderful feeling. You've got a lot of love and support from complete strangers. Yes its gonna be tough, which you know, but not only from the love and support from your wife, us strangers are behind you both. A lot of positive things are gonna come from this. Please do not worry about any negative thoughts, you can do this, ( we all are in this with you ) you are helping a lot of people. keep your head up. you go boy!! good luck !
Your Friend
Jackie
You have inspired me. I have twin sons with SADS, Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndrome. I leave them one minute to go to the bathroom and I panic. Are they still alive? I check them and stuff some food in my mouth. I wake up in the middle of the night . I must check to see if they are still breathing. Now I eat to relax in order to get back to sleep. I need to lose 100 pounds. I will donate a pound of food to Second Harvest Food Bank for each pound you lose and a pound of food for each pound I lose.
Orinda Bernhart
New Tripoli, PA
GOOD LUCK to you and your endeavors. What a fantastic idea! I am incredibly impressed and pledge to donate $1 to you for every pound you lose and 5$ to me for every pound I lose ( I would like to lose 50 lbs and want to donate more than $50 on my behalf). The thing that I like the best about this idea is that many of us who are overweight eat for emotional reasons...and what a better way to cure that then by giving to others?
Thank you for the inspiration!
Kristy Petersen
Seattle, WA
You will do it, and you will feel great! I take medication for panic attacks and recently have been eating and drinking too much, gaining weight like never before. I suppose I have about 25 pounds to drop, and you have inspired me.
I will donate a dollar for every pound I lose,
matched with one dollar for your efforts and inspiration. Making the
best of a bad situation, I'll make my first donation on the ides of
March and will continue my efforts into the summer.
Thank you for helping and inspiring so many
people; you and your new family are so awesome!
God bless,
S.
I think your idea and cause is terrific! I
have decided to be right there withy you. I am contacting my friends
and family to encourage them to do the same with their weight loss
resolutions. It's wonderful that not only will you and others
(myself included) get healthy but make a difference in this world
too. Congratulations for being a person to change the world! God
Bless!
Amelia Andrade (MA)
Your beautiful spirit comes beaming out to all who look upon you. You are a wonderful person and indeed the world could use more like you.
After seeing your story on MSNBC this early morn I felt compelled to get "REAL" with myself and at the same time help to continue to motivate you and me and other folks struggling to get to a health body, and also help folks who are having a very rough time these days in this growing recessionary period.
I, like many who have shared with you, also live in pain every day, and have found solace with food for as long as I can recall. It is the sort of "FRIEND" you know you shouldn't have in your life, but in the moment they are better than having no one to be with. Replacing the sensation of comfort from food is a life-long plan and if you have support around you and you truly want to really "LIVE" your life to the fullest, the weight will come off in good time, slowly but surely. Hey, Ben do you know men are known to lose it faster, so my 100 pounds might take as long as your goal will take you.
This was a brilliant idea to me, to help feed those who have not enough to eat and ourselves trying to lose weight is a complementary plan that is perfect!!! kudos, dear Ben.
I need to get my wonderful hubby to NOT bring me home any more little hostess donuts or ding dongs, or any junk food!!! I know he loves me, but he does seem to sabotage me. I told him this morning that this Valentines day I will ask for some delicious exotic fruit. I do love my fruits, but most of the time opt for a quick cup or 4 of ice cream or a few candies or cookies (well you know I mean much more that that). Lying to one's self seems almost such an intricate part of me after so many years of overindulging and always saying tomorrow or next Monday or New years!!!!
I also smoke. I had quit for 10years and then started again over 2 yrs ago now. That is another big challenge. keeping in our head a positive frame of mind and having a plan will see anyone through if the desire is there!!!
Ben you are a cutie now and you will be a smaller cutie when you reach your goal. Tell Andrea I am not hitting on you (I have a guy for 31 yrs), but she better watch out when you do lose allot of weight!!! JUST KIDDING Andrea. LOL
Sincerely,
Marcie Todd
I am so inspired by what you are doing. I have struggled all my life with my yo-yo weight. I am probably at my highest right now. In the past, I lost 85 lbs by going to weight watchers. I know you are doing this on your own and I am not by any means promoting weight watchers but that has seemed to work the best for me.
My husband was in an auto accident in August and has not worked since then. He too has gained a lot of weight but is limited as to what he can do. I am also limited as to what I can spend, I can't at this time re-join weight watchers but, I want to do what you are doing. You have inspired me so much, I am going to donate my weight in food also.
Thank you so much for sharing your story with the world. I hope this helps others.
Amy Pendleton
I literally
have just watched a video of you I found on the internet and
read your website (it took a few minutes to search for it
though!) I am really impressed and I admire you and your
wife and family. What an AWESOME way to be positive and
productive! I need to hop back on the weight loss bandwagon
too (because I have about 106 lbs to lose). Your story is
an inspiration to just do it the old-fashioned simple way of
watching what I eat and see that I get some exercise
everyday! Thanks for coming out to the public with your
WONDERFUL goal! You are totally a winner in my way of
thinking. You have already done so much in your life, I
know you will tackle this issue too!
You and your
wife and family are BEAUTIFUL both inside and out! I can
see it all the way over here in Oregon! I'm putting your
website in my favorites list so that I can check back often.
I would like to
sponsor your goal by adding $2.00 per pound that you lose!
It's not much, but every dollar helps, right? I'll either
donate it to your local group or to my local group,
whichever you prefer!
All the best
thoughts to you and your goal,
E.S.
Portland, Oregon
You are a inspiration to me to try
again to lose my weight.
I too have been severely injured
in 1997. my spine was compressed and three discs
exploded in my lower back and crushed the L4,L5nerve
roots. after surgeries and continued shots till this
day, I take 44 pills a day to keep moving. I have lost
over 100 lbs more than three times in my life and it has
always been a fight.
I feel your pain Ben and I support
you 100 percent.
Since the insurance company cut my
meds again last year, I gained my weight back again. I
was all done with losing till I saw you on the news.
Thanks and best of luck to you and
your wife. She looks like a great girl.
Be well my new friend.
Paul Horvath
I just
read your article and I want to wish you the very
best. It is a hard struggle and I know. Last April
I weighed 302 and couldn't walk a quarter of a
block. As of today I have lost 84 lbs and am
walking 3 miles a day (no pills, no surgery). I
break up the walking doing half during my lunch hour
and the rest when I get home. These last couple of
months have been very hard but with the support of
my co-workers and family I am back on track. I am a
breast cancer survivor and must take a medicine that
the side effect is weight gain. I am living proof
of that. I also have had a knee replacement and
need the other one done. My goal was to lose 150 lb
by July 3 but found that was not possible. Now I
just want to lose 150 and how ever long it takes I
will be happy to have to weight gone. I feel better
and my blood pressure is back to normal.
You
will have some back sliding and bad day but don't be
afraid to ask for encouragement and keep telling
yourself you are doing this for a better you.
Can't
wait to see the new you.
L.C. St. Louis
I just wanted to encourage you on your weight-loss journey. I've struggled with my weight most of my life. I lost about 50 or 60 pounds while attending Overeaters Anonymous about 17 years ago. I kept it off for 3 years. Life got tough, I began eating sugar and flour products again, and I gained it all back, plus. I know from your story you can relate.
I am in my 50's now and to get to a healthy weight (15 pounds higher than I was 17 years ago) I have 80 pounds to lose. It seems overwhelming to me. You are an inspiration to me and I am encouraged by your story.
On a side note, thank you for your service to our country. I was amazed when I read your story. I have a son who went through the DEP Program, is presently in the Navy "A" School in Florida in the CT program. I don't think anyone realizes until they are close to someone who has gone through it, how difficult boot camp is -- and the military life in general. Don't ever feel like a failure. Just by what I've read on your website, I can tell you have a heart for people. You want to make a difference and I believe you can with your Donate My Weight Program. I plan to follow your progress.
God Bless you in your efforts,
D.
Hello Ben and Family. As I write this with tears in my eyes and my chest a little tight, I am extremely happy for you, Ben, for having the strength to fight this. For you, Andrea and kids, for standing and fighting alongside him. I, like everyone else, have had many obstacles, downfalls, etc. in my life. What is seldom talked about though are the great things that keep us going everyday. Things that too often we take for granted. I have tried starting a “journey” of my own by concentrating more on the good things in my life than the obstacles. I just wanted to tell you that you are on my list of things that make me happy and make me notice more of the good in the world. I will be keeping track of you and watching your progress and wish you all the best no matter what the outcome. Congratulations on being alcohol free and for being such a strong person!
Lisa G
Troy, MO
Way to go on doing something wonderful for others AND giving yourself the gift of a healthier and longer life. What an inspiration you are! Best of luck to you and I will be keeping track of how you're doing!
Sincerely,
Chrissy
St. Louis, MO
My name is Heidy Ziegler I am a 35 yr old single mother of a 10 yr old son and I am disabled with MS. I too am fighting weight issues as I have gained so much after being on steroid therapy, I also am recovering addict / alcoholic now for past 19 yrs. and as recent as 5 months ago quit smoking as well. I understand your fight and relate so much to your story and I respect you so much for all your doing to help yourself and others, there is nothing more meaningful than turning negative into a positive strength and swapping turmoil into a blessing specially when it benefits someone else, what a wonderful gift to give, I want to say Thank-You, for you are angels among us. May God Bless your journey and your family and may your kind heart remain strong. I encourage you to continue fight and keep your head hung high and be proud for your success, remember "Attitude Is Everything"
Heidy Ziegler
I saw your segment on NBC10's 10! show this morning and I felt compelled to
write. I was recently diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder, which
progressed quickly to a panic disorder. I had a number of severe panic
attacks which caused me to be unable to get out of bed to go to work.
Eventually, I lost my job - which was devastating to this young professional
whose career was on the rise. The combination of new medication and
therapeutic eating has caused my weight to balloon. Besides the shame that
I feel for being less than mentally fit, I am now totally ashamed of the
fact that I am unemployed, gaining weight, and scared.
Watching you today helped me to realize that there is at least one other
person in this world who knows what panic disorder is and the spiral of
shame that it creates. I intend to check up on your progress regularly as a
source of inspiration for my own recovery.
You have inspired me and for that, I thank you.
D
I know what you are going through.
Not many people can actually
say that and mean it. But I have been in your shoes. I have panic attacks,
lost my mom when I was fairly young, and have felt insecure at times. I also
work in the retired military pay dept. I guess you can save we have a few
things in common.
Anyway when I started having panic attacks I really hated going out in
public for fear I would have an attack. But my attacks have gotten a lot
better. Believe me once you get your panicky feeling under control weather
it be by taking meds or seeing a therapist, you will start to feel better.
Not only physically but emotionally too.
Coming from someone who has walked in your shoes, things will get better.
Losing weight and having a goal that you are working toward is a great
start.
OH BTW congrats on not drinking anymore!! Whoo hooo
You will encounter set backs while achieving your goals so don't get
discouraged. Think positive.
And good luck and hope to hear from you soon
Shelly
Ben,
You have always shown us you're one "outstanding" person.
Great idea and motivator to one and all.
Regards,
Mr. and Mrs. G (Your Florida Connection)
Your story is fantastic. As a 65-1/2 year old woman who has been overweight her entire life – I give you a lot of credit to do something while you are still young. The older you get the harder it gets.
Please keep everyone posted on your results. I am willing to donate a certain amount for each pound you lose so I would like to follow your results.
I was very interested and somewhat inspired by your story on NBC10. I live in Willow Grove, PA and struggling to lose weight I have put on over the past 2 1/2 years. What I like I about what you are doing you are taking a negative and moving it towards a positive for someone else...you're not just losing the weight for yourself and be done but you are affecting change by what you are doing. I am interested in doing this too - but don't know - I have lacked the self discipline to stick to it...but really, really considering doing this - its the 8th day of the year and I am not making any dents in this weight thing - because I just have not stuck to it...anyways, I just wanted to share what I was feeling after I read your website and the story.
Katharine
I came across your story on the NBC10 news site. I find your story courageous and heart warming. I wish you the very best of luck in your journey, it's not an easy one. My husband needs to lose 80+ pounds and I will encourage him to think about this, as I think it is a wonderful idea.
Cheers and good luck.
Good luck on your weight loss journey. You are very brave to put yourself out there with such an aggressive goal. God bless you and the work you're doing.