Ben Chose Life and Beat Obesity and Depression

Every week, we introduce you to bloggers who share their weight-loss journeys and hefty doses of inspiration with their readers. This week's featured blogger is Ben of Ben Does Life.

Name: Ben Davis

Age: 24

Start Weight: 360 pounds

Current Weight: 240 pounds

Goal Weight: 220 pounds

My Weight Loss Approach: When I started in January 2008, I knew from a few failed previous weight loss attempts that extreme dieting and exercise were the wrong way to go. So I talked to my brother who also wanted to lose weight, and I went about building a support system of friends and family, joining a fitness center, and generally just making better decisions in both my fitness and my diet. Running and competing in local races really kept me in the mind-set that this is a lifestyle and not just a fleeting "diet."

I think having the accountability system with my brother and focusing on becoming a better runner made all the other parts of a healthy life that much easier. Like if I worked out and ran one day, I wouldn't want to erase a good day's work with a big meal out on the town, so I would have a reasonable dinner and chalk it up as a solid day.

Why I wanted to blog about it: I started the blog as a means of communication with my grandmother, who was more excited about me embarking on this journey than anyone. After a few weeks I told my friends and family about it, and from there it just kind of grew. After I started getting some readers, I realized there was a whole online weight loss/fitness subculture that really served as an important cog in my path to a healthier life. Reading and talking with people who go through the same things you do on a daily basis -- the same struggles and victories -- really helps a lot when you find yourself in a rut or if you're celebrating a major accomplishment.

The best part of blogging is: Meeting like-minded individuals and connecting with people who you never would have met otherwise is definitely the best part of blogging. On several occasions, I've met some people who read my blog at different races across Arkansas, and it's just very cool to hear the stories of people who have done the same thing I did.

Best comment I've received: There isn't just one comment, but the comments I received after I finished my Ironman at Ironman Louisville in August was just incredible. I think anyone who might be thinking about going on a weight loss journey and blogging about his experience will be shocked and pleasantly surprised by how incredible the people are. The people who follow you and whom you follow really care about you even though you've never met. It's very humbling and very cool.

What's next for my blog: When I started the blog in December 2008, I chose the name "Ben Does Life" because I wanted to do more than just lose weight. I wanted to get fit, but I also wanted to grab life by the horns, get out of my depression, and really experience life because I had missed so much by letting my obesity keep me inside away from society. So right now, I'm working on pushing that "Do Life" message into the mainstream. I'm spreading the message that life doesn't have to be ordinary or inconsequential. To that end, I've started booking motivational speaking engagements and selling T-shirts. But as far as the blog is concerned, it will stay the same; my life, my struggles and my victories (no matter how small or large). I think the reason my blog has been accepted by readers is that I keep it simple and provide a window into my life that says, "Yes, sometimes it's hard. A lot of days it's hard. But believe me: It's all worth it."

I've also recently been lucky enough to team up with Active.com as an ambassador to its online community and write for the running section of the website. It's been very cool to line up with the website, as our messages really do run parallel to each other.

Other than those things, though, I'll just be doing what I've done since the beginning: living, running and blogging.

Keep up with Ben as he continues to grab life by the horns by visiting his blog or following his Facebook page.

Other Blogging Success Stories:
Lori Ate What She Wanted and Lost 100 Pounds
Blogging Helped Rita Keep Off 80 Pounds
Walking and Blogging Helped Jennifer Lose 50 Pounds