Welcome to Ben Does Life If you’re new, click here. This is the scrapbook of my life and journey from morbidly obese and depressed to finding health and happiness. I have lost 120 pounds, run seven marathons, completed two Ironmans, and gone from depressed recluse to motivational speaker. Read more about me and this blog here. Or start from the beginning. You can find more fun stuff below the video! My 120 Pound Journey More Information! My Running Timeline My Weight-loss Timeline Race RecapsTumblr (3.0; @bendoeslife)http://bendoeslife.tumblr.com/<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m50qg6etVS1qzu0sxo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>My new inspiration. </p> <p>Naked horse dude in Chicago.</p> <p>Girl look at that body.</p>http://bendoeslife.tumblr.com/post/24300513540http://bendoeslife.tumblr.com/post/24300513540Sat, 02 Jun 2012 20:50:00 -0500<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m50ivm73ge1qzu0sxo1_500.png"/><br/><br/><p>Arrived in Indiana just in time to take in an Indianapolis Indians game. </p> <p>See you tomorrow morning, Indy.</p>http://bendoeslife.tumblr.com/post/24291190248http://bendoeslife.tumblr.com/post/24291190248Sat, 02 Jun 2012 18:06:58 -0500<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m50adzJTjw1qzu0sxo1_500.png"/><br/><br/><p>A weigh a day. </p> <p>Up a pound from yesterday. Down seven total.</p>http://bendoeslife.tumblr.com/post/24280393081http://bendoeslife.tumblr.com/post/24280393081Sat, 02 Jun 2012 15:03:35 -0500<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m5059iJvo91qzu0sxo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Chicago was such a beautiful time. In fact, it still is. Three hours later and we’re still all hanging out at Panera Bread. </p>http://bendoeslife.tumblr.com/post/24273730172http://bendoeslife.tumblr.com/post/24273730172Sat, 02 Jun 2012 13:12:53 -0500<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4yzio2nE41qzu0sxo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Fascinating/depressing obesity infographic.</p> <p>click through for big.</p>http://bendoeslife.tumblr.com/post/24237896531http://bendoeslife.tumblr.com/post/24237896531Fri, 01 Jun 2012 22:11:12 -0500<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4ycv5qCnM1qzu0sxo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Overcast day off here in Chicago, 15 floors up.</p> <p>Pa and I are headed to the lake for a run.</p> <p><strong><a href="http://dolifetour2012.tumblr.com/post/22598205288/chicago-il-saturday-june-2nd" target="_blank">Buckingham Fountain tomorrow at 10 a.m.</a></strong></p>http://bendoeslife.tumblr.com/post/24207003153http://bendoeslife.tumblr.com/post/24207003153Fri, 01 Jun 2012 14:01:00 -0500<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4y35uv3K11qzu0sxo1_500.png"/><br/><br/><p>Notes from the road: Pa is wearing a pink popped-collar Polo. </p> <p>I’m too ashamed to even try to come up with a joke.</p>http://bendoeslife.tumblr.com/post/24197519791http://bendoeslife.tumblr.com/post/24197519791Fri, 01 Jun 2012 10:32:18 -0500<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4xxtl067B1qzu0sxo1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4xxtl067B1qzu0sxo2_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4xxtl067B1qzu0sxo3_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4xxtl067B1qzu0sxo4_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4xxtl067B1qzu0sxo5_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><p><strong>Do Life: Madison last night. </strong></p> <p>The run went superbly, but I chose four photos from the post-run meal because it’s always the highlight of the evening to sit around and get to know each other. We’ve met so many people over these two tours and sharing these meals, sharing some stories… it’s always a wonderful time. </p> <p>None of us really knew each other heading into the night, but I feel like we all left with 24 new friends.</p>http://bendoeslife.tumblr.com/post/24193535168http://bendoeslife.tumblr.com/post/24193535168Fri, 01 Jun 2012 08:36:55 -0500<p><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4xwjkwUQD1qz790v.jpg"/></p> <p><strong>Day One:</strong> 281.0</p> <p><strong>Day Six:</strong> 273.4</p> <p><strong>Day Seven:</strong> 273.2</p> <p>Once you start and build a solid few days, you become addicted. You want to maintain the momentum and keep the streak alive. I&#8217;m in a good place, one that I haven&#8217;t felt health-and-fitness wise in a long time. </p>http://bendoeslife.tumblr.com/post/24192747470http://bendoeslife.tumblr.com/post/24192747470Fri, 01 Jun 2012 08:11:19 -0500<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4xvm3yKJi1qzu0sxo1_500.png"/><br/><br/><p>We arrived in Chicago last night. Pa quickly made a new friend.</p>http://bendoeslife.tumblr.com/post/24192104545http://bendoeslife.tumblr.com/post/24192104545Fri, 01 Jun 2012 07:49:59 -0500<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4x2hpOqYJ1qzu0sxo1_500.png"/><br/><br/><p>Pa almost fell over when he heard me order an apple instead of French baguette. First time for everything.</p>http://bendoeslife.tumblr.com/post/24170796674http://bendoeslife.tumblr.com/post/24170796674Thu, 31 May 2012 21:20:13 -0500<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4wfl56aKY1qzu0sxo1_500.png"/><br/><br/><p>Meemaw, you and I made the front page.</p> <p>Very nice article by Meredith Hines-Dochterman in the Cedar Rapids Gazette.</p>http://bendoeslife.tumblr.com/post/24137940248http://bendoeslife.tumblr.com/post/24137940248Thu, 31 May 2012 13:05:28 -0500<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4we39Cjb41qzu0sxo1_500.png"/><br/><br/><p>New Ben, new choices. </p> <p>Salmon, brown rice and broccoli for lunch.</p>http://bendoeslife.tumblr.com/post/24136446073http://bendoeslife.tumblr.com/post/24136446073Thu, 31 May 2012 12:33:09 -0500<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4wd2nXHpl1qzu0sxo1_500.png"/><br/><br/><p>Stopping at a restaurant in Tomah, Wisconsin. I got to push a pin into Beebe, Arkansas. I also threw one into Vancouver for good measure.</p>http://bendoeslife.tumblr.com/post/24135452639http://bendoeslife.tumblr.com/post/24135452639Thu, 31 May 2012 12:11:11 -0500<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4vzygQVWB1qzu0sxo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Currently: enjoying the weight-loss phenomenon known as first-week-sketchy-fast-weight-loss. </p> <p><strong>Day One</strong>: 281.0<br/><strong>Day Six</strong>: 273.4 </p> <p><strong>Total:</strong> -7.6 pounds</p>http://bendoeslife.tumblr.com/post/24125673722http://bendoeslife.tumblr.com/post/24125673722Thu, 31 May 2012 07:27:52 -0500<p>The tour rolls through your towns next. </p> <p><strong><a href="http://dolifetour2012.tumblr.com/post/22598187281/madison-wi-thursday-may-31st" target="_blank">Thursday: Madison</a></strong><br/><strong><a href="http://dolifetour2012.tumblr.com/post/22598205288/chicago-il-saturday-june-2nd" target="_blank">Saturday: Chicago</a></strong><br/><strong><a href="http://dolifetour2012.tumblr.com/post/22598225944/indianapolis-in-sunday-june-3rd" target="_blank">Sunday: Indianapolis </a></strong></p> <p><strong><br/></strong>About to get some good rest and hit the road tomorrow morning. </p> <p>See you there.</p>http://bendoeslife.tumblr.com/post/24088812713http://bendoeslife.tumblr.com/post/24088812713Wed, 30 May 2012 17:38:53 -0500<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4um8h6IHW1qzu0sxo1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4um8h6IHW1qzu0sxo2_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4um8h6IHW1qzu0sxo3_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><p>Target Headquarters was an awesome place to behold. </p> <p>Enormous towers filled with 10,000 wonderful people and beautiful art. </p> <p>The talk went well, too.</p> <p>Three years ago if you had told me I’d have the time of my life talking to 200 people in business attire, I would have vommed a little. Target, though, you guys are special.</p>http://bendoeslife.tumblr.com/post/24073197414http://bendoeslife.tumblr.com/post/24073197414Wed, 30 May 2012 13:33:52 -0500<p>Do they sell popcorn in the front deli like the other Targets do?</p> <p>I&#8217;ll keep you updated.</p>http://bendoeslife.tumblr.com/post/24065026480http://bendoeslife.tumblr.com/post/24065026480Wed, 30 May 2012 10:24:00 -0500<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4uc5oUjgy1qzu0sxo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Summer of Accountability rolls on. </p> <p><strong>Day One:</strong> 281.0<br/><strong>Today (day 5):</strong> 275.0</p> <p>Taking this one with caution. I’m feeling a little dehydrated, but the ups and downs of daily weighing will balance out in the long run. </p>http://bendoeslife.tumblr.com/post/24064046090http://bendoeslife.tumblr.com/post/24064046090Wed, 30 May 2012 09:56:00 -0500<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4ubvfDA4I1qzu0sxo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Minneapolis Do Life yesterday. </p> <p>The weather looked ominous at first, but Minnesotans aren’t afraid of a little wind, cold, and rain. </p> <p>54 of the Twin Cities’ finest men, women, kids and dogs came out to run and we had a blast.</p> <p>Forgive the lack of photos, my camera was set on a strange blur-only setting.</p>http://bendoeslife.tumblr.com/post/24063841524http://bendoeslife.tumblr.com/post/24063841524Wed, 30 May 2012 09:50:03 -0500