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Heaviest Weight 478 lbs Current Weight 441 lbs Total Lost 31 lbs Donations Received To Date $3,181,000 27,654 lbs of Food |
Common FAQs
Ever since Donate My Weight was first made public, many people have had questions for Ben. Here are some common FAQ's from Donate My Weight visitors. If you have any questions and you can't find an answer here, please feel free to CONTACT BEN.
1. Didn't you steal this idea from Weight Watchers/Biggest Loser/Etc?
Absolutely not. Remember, Donate My Weight was founded in December of 2007 and made public in January of 2008, long before any of the other programs made famous by weight loss companies and popular television shows. I created the concept of Donate My Weight and actually pitched the idea to both of the organizations mentioned in this question, many months before they announced their own respective campaigns.
Please understand that I'm not accusing anyone of stealing the idea or failing to give me recognition. That's not what any of this is about. At the same time, it's important for me to acknowledge my part in the idea because my own personal credibility is in question. It really all comes down to one thing for me- if food banks across America receive lots of much-needed donations because of these campaigns, then I'll be happy as a clam.
And after all, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, right?
2. How are you losing the weight?
I found strong initial success by simply counting calories and exercising a couple days a week. With that regimen, I lost over 100 lbs and was feeling great. Then I hit a wall and started gaining weight back. I made a huge mistake that traps a lot of dieters- I changed my outside appearance, but I didn't consider what was on the inside.
Unfortunately, I didn't take the time to address what caused me to gain the weight in the first place. Once I hit some especially rough times, I fell back into my old routine. After gaining back almost half of what I lost, I realized that I needed some help.
I did a ton of research on weight loss programs and learned that the one which closely matched what I had been doing was Weight Watchers (for Men). Their whole system in based on limiting calories and they also take into consideration fat and carbohydrates. They also provide all sorts of support and tracking tools, which is exactly what I need to stay on top of things.
While I'm using Weight Watchers for Men to lose weight, I'd encourage anyone looking to lose weight to investigate the different options on their own. Everyone is different and what works for me might not work for somebody else. Losing weight and maintaining the loss involves a substantial lifestyle change and it just makes sense to take the time to learn all you can.
3. How much do you really make off this website?
Not one penny. As a matter of fact, I actually lose a lot of money. I cover all the administrative costs out of my own pocket. Money is great, but Donate My Weight gives me something a whole lot better. It gives me the satisfaction of knowing I made a difference.
4. Where did the name 'Donate My Weight' come from?
I'd like to say I thought of it, but I didn't. My wife totally came up with the name on her own. After I decided I wanted to lose 230 lbs and then donate 230 lbs to the food bank, I tried to frame the whole thing out in my head. The one thing that kept tripping me up was a name for the whole thing. I wanted it to be catchy and meaningful, but that's as far as I could get.
While I was sitting in my living room, pondering the situation, Andrea tried to help me. For a good 10 minutes, we had nothing. Then all of a sudden, I hear her blurt out, "Donate My Weight!" I knew right away, she had picked a winner!
5. Why do you talk about your mistakes in your blog?
I decided in the very beginning of this campaign, I was going to be completely and utterly honest about everything. There are so many people out there who are facing the same challenges I am and going through the same difficulties. I'd be doing every one of them a disservice if I ignored the struggles or made the whole process seem easier than it is.
Dieting is hard work and there are times that can just break your heart. At the same time, it can be done. Anyone who believes in themselves and refuses to quit will eventually reach their goals. It doesn't matter how many mistakes you make, as long as you keep getting yourself back on track.
Nobody's perfect, we all make mistakes. I want people to read about all the obstacles I face and then see me overcome each one to turn my dreams into reality. My hope is that when they see me doing it, maybe it will give them the faith they need to do it themselves.
6. How do you feel about gastric bypass surgery?
I have been asked this question many times and I think people are always surprised to hear my response. I don't believe there's anything wrong with surgeries like gastric bypass or lap-bands, especially if there are serious health conditions involved. People should be free to lose the weight however they choose. It's not right for me or anyone else to second guess their methods, as long as they're making healthy choices.
Life is short as it is, but obesity and obesity-related problems make it even shorter and a lot less pleasant. I commend anyone who's made the decision to take back control of their lives, however they choose to do it. Personally, I'm not a fan of hospitals and ever since I began having panic attacks, the thought of surgery scares the heck out of me. Others will fare much better and I wish them all the luck in the world.
7. Is Donate My Weight your full-time job?
As much as I'd like to make a living by helping others to lose weight and donate to the food banks, I'm not in a position to do that right now. One day I would like to create the Donate My Weight Foundation, to help people donate their own weight and learn to live healthier, happier lives.
So, I am concentrating on my Donate My Weight campaign and trying to raise as much food and money as possible for the food banks. I'm also focusing on my diet and exercise plan, so I can lose the weight and meet my goals!
8. Who decides which food banks will get the donations?
It's a decision that is made by whomever chooses to donate. 100% of all food and money donations go directly to the different food banks across the country. I encourage everyone to donate to their local food bank and help hungry people in their own area.
My local food bank is Second Harvest of the Lehigh Valley and Northeast PA, which is where the Wegmans donations will go. When Redners Market decided to donate on my behalf, they sent their food donations to the Greater Berks Food Bank, which is local to them. I appreciate everybody's generosity and regardless of what food bank an individual chooses to help, someone, somewhere will have a meal because of their decision.
That's what it's all about!
9. How long will it take to lose all 230 lbs?
Your guess is as good as mine. I originally hoped to do it in a year, but I don't think I was being very realistic about things. It could totally be done through starving myself and other unhealthy means, but what kind of an example would that set?
I'm doing this the right way, however long it takes. The key is to keep going in the face of adversity and to never give up on myself. One year or five years, whatever it takes to reclaim control of my life.
10. How do you want people to see you?
Well... I guess I'd like people to take me as I am. I don't pretend to be some kind of hero or saint, I'm just a regular guy who's got a whole lot of weight to lose. I created Donate My Weight to help other people because I want to make a difference and help others, not because I want people to look at me any certain way.
Lord knows I am far from a perfect human being and just like anyone else, I make mistakes all the time. There's times I let me emotions overcome me and since I'm putting all my cards on the table, I might as well also mention that I'm very sensitive. Things affect me like they would affect any other person.
Before I started losing weight, I was a whole lot worse. I weighed just under 500 lbs, I didn't believe I was a good person (no matter how badly I wanted to be one) and I hated looking in the mirror and seeing what I'd done to myself. It was a miserable situation and as you can probably imagine, I wasn't always fun to be around. I tried to keep it all in and put on a happy face for the world, but behind the smile was a whole lot of unhappiness.
I was laughed at, made fun of, talked down to and basically made to feel like a second-class citizen by many of the people I met. It was a miserable time in my life and I am so glad I have taken the steps to move forward. People can look at me however they want and judge me in any way they see fit, but all that really matters to me is whether or not I've genuinely made a difference.
11. Is there a physical address where I can send you a letter?
Unfortunately, I don't have a post office box for Donate My Weight at this time. You can reach me via e-mail, however, at DonateMyWeight@gmail.com
12. What are you going to do if you don't lose the weight?
I will lose it. There will be bad days along the way and hard times, but I'm like the little engine that could. Well, maybe not so little... yet!
