The Eagle Eye

Issue date: 1/23/08 Section: Features

Ben Miller (center), participating in "Donate My Weight," is on the set of NBCs "10!" show. "Donate My Weight" began on Jan. 1, 2008 when he decided to lose 230 pounds by the end of the year.

Ben and his wife Andrea, who is one of his biggest supporters, pose for a picture after their wedding.

Pennsylvania native and Lock Haven alumnus, class of '01, Ben Miller is doing more than just losing weight - he is donating it.
Miller is using 2008 as an opportunity not only to improve his health, but also to use this situation to benefit others.
Miller's plan is now nationally known as "Donate My Weight."
"Donate My Weight" started out as a plan that for every one pound of weight Miller lost, he would donate one pound of food to a local food bank. As stated in the "Donate My Weight" Web site, all the donations will go to the Second Harvest Food Bank of the Lehigh Valley and Northeast Pennsylvania.
But Miller's story does not begin there.
Miller graduated from Narazreth High School and immediately joined the Navy in 1993. He received an honorable discharge in 1995 due to panic attacks, but was not actually diagnosed until 1998.
Miller's time at Lock Haven University began in 1997.
While at LHU, Miller pledged and held several officer positions in the Kappa Delta Rho fraternity. He graduated in 2001 with a B.A. in speech communication and a minor in journalism/mass communications.
Miller spent the last six years working as a manager for T-Mobile, as a business consultant for several companies, and held a position as a leader in the Corporate Finance Department of Dun and Bradstreet.
He also is an active member of the American Legion and was recognized by the Veteran's Administration as a disabled veteran. He recently married his wife and biggest supporter, Andrea, in September of 2007.
Miller began the "Donate My Weight" campaign on Jan. 1, 2008, and made it public on Jan. 6.
The plan originally started out with Miller donating one pound of food to the food bank, for each pound lost.
According to a press release from Allentown, it was Ben's wife, Andrea, who suggested asking family and friends to sponsor his weight loss in order to increase the total amount donated.
Miller's goal is to lose 230 pounds by the end of 2008, but intends to meet his goal even if that takes him into 2009.
He admitted, "I used to eat healthy and actually spent most of my life in great shape. All the weight came on in the past 10 years."
In order to reach his goal, Miller is working with a personal trainer and a nutritionist. Due to his weight, his doctor has advised Miller to stick to low impact exercises.
Miller has been walking every day but once he gets under 400, he plans on going back to the gym to work with his trainer.
The nutritionist has been helping Miller learn how to eat healthy again.
"I don't really believe in eating nutrition bars or drinking shakes, because at the end of the diet you still haven't learned how to eat properly," argued Miller. "I am just eating healthier foods and focusing on portion sizes to reduce the amount of calories I consume each day."
This is not the first time Miller has tried to lose weight. Miller had begun battling his weight in 2003-2004 with the help of his father. After his father passed away in March 2004, Miller kept his promise to his dad and lost 130 pounds.
"I never took anytime to grieve. Everything caught up with me on the one-year anniversary of his death and my diet was shot," said Miller.
When Miller began the "Donate My Weight" it did not take long for the idea to grow.
The campaign has its own Web site, www.donatemyweight.com, where Miller shares his personal biography, his progress, a blog and other information about what people can do to help and support "Donate My Weight."
Miller has been featured on various media channels across the country on NBC affiliates and 1200 Clear Channel affiliates.
Although Miller feels that the news coverage was a little overwhelming at first, he also feels that having no secrets is freeing.
"I've been holding in those feelings for a really long time," says Miller. "I don't feel like the pressure is going to be the thing that pushes me to succeed, it's more the knowledge that with every pound I lose, I am helping a whole lot of people."
Miller is not only helping the people that will receive food from the food shelter, but is also helping many people simply by sharing his story. A part of the Web site allows viewers to leave comments.
"It's a pretty great feeling to know that I have inspired so many people, all around the country," said Miller.
People have sent their personal stories to him sharing how "Donate My Weight" has changed them. Inspiring people through his own weight loss was something that Miller had never anticipated.
"I thought I would help people by donating food and money to the food bank, but it never occurred to me that others in the same situation as me would read my story and feel motivated," admits Miller. "That's one of my favorite parts of the 'Donate My Weight' project, I am also helping to inspire people all over the country to choose a healthier lifestyle and feel a little better about themselves."
As of Jan. 18, 2008, Miller is down a whole 16 pounds and with sponsorships has raised $17 and 12 pounds of food for every pound he loses, equaling $272 and 192 pounds of food so far. There have also been extra donations of $595 and four pounds of food. The numbers are only expected to rise.

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