My name is Charlotte and I’m originally from Tennessee and moved to Missouri in 1999. I have been married twice and have an adult son from my first marriage and none from my second. My son is married and I have a 8-year-old grandson (Daniel) and a 2 and half year old granddaughter (Sadie). I’ve been married to Kevin who is my best friend and playmate for 15 years. I have 2 chocolate labs: Peyton and Eli whom I adore. I have a good and full life. I am content.
But at age 49, I weighed almost 300 lbs. On 9/26/09 at 288 lbs, I made a decision that I was going to lose weight or die trying. I opened an account on Livestrong.com, figured how many calories I needed to lose 2+ lbs a week and started counting every bite that I put in my mouth. At first I couldn’t do much in the way of exercise because I was so fat and out of breath. I did what I could. I walked and did housework.
After I lost about 40 lbs or so, I started running (if you can call it that).
I ran my first official 5k (with no walkie breaks) on February 26, 2011 “Run for Your Beads 5k” for Mardi Gras in St. Louis. That might possibly rank up in the top 10 great feelings that I have ever had. I laughed and cried.
Today, I weigh ~157 lbs (+/- a few) and have run 3 half marathons this past year. I do 10+ 5ks per year, a couple 6ks and 10ks.
In October of 2014, I completed my first marathon and was recently selected to participate in the Chicago Marathon that takes place in October of 2015. I will began that training in June.
Healthy eating, calorie counting and running saved my life….literally.
I am active and healthy and full of energy most of the time.
However, after a few years, I had become unhappy with my body. I had lost all that weight and still looked terrible in my clothes due to a huge loose skin muffin top. My self esteem (which I had never paid any attention to) was low.
My arms were my biggest embarrassment. I had loose skin all the way to my elbow. I couldn’t wear short sleeves.
In Sept 2013, I consulted a plastic surgeon. I had my circumferential body lift and brachioplasty on Dec 19, 2013 performed by Dr. Craig Boswell at Body Aesthetics in St. Louis.
I couldn’t be happier. It was a tough recovery but I am so happy. It feels like a dream.
This blog is my diary for others who I may be able to help or encourage.
But more than anything, this blog is for Daniel and Sadie for when I am gone. I’d like them to know who I was.
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Congrats on your success.
I know you’re busy, but wanted to let you know that I nominated you for the “Wonderful Team Member Readership” award, and the Sisterhood of World Bloggers Award.
I get that your blog is keeping you hopping, and there other things that you can be doing, but should you choose to accept this award, just pop over to this URL:
http://wp.me/4b0zD
and do what I did.
Thanks for keeping up with my blog, and I absolutely appreciate your reading me and mine. ♥
Hi Charlotte, I have just nominated you for the Sunshine award. Take your time. No panic.
http://truckerturningwrite.com/2014/04/20/thank-you-liz-and-ana/
Thanks! I’m not sure what to do but I muddled through! 🙂
You did great. I’m not sure either. I just copied Liz, more or less. Thumbs up 🙂
I have to give you a shout out. What you did is amazing. What commitment that took. You should be very proud.
Thank you 🙂
Hey..Where can we reach you..Wanted to discuss some thoughts…
Email good enough? cbsnead@gmail.com I look forward to hearing from you. 😎
Amazing story! What an inspiration! I had similar experience, I 35 lbs since October 2012. I joined Ymca’s weight loss program and learned to eat healthy & exercise regularly. I picked up ruining about a year ago & just completed my first Half Marathon – San Francisco Rock n’ Roll. Love your story! Keep it up 🙂
Great story and congratulations to you! I love SF! My husband if from San Jose so we visit frequently from Missouri. Great job on completing your half. I finished my 3rd half Apr 6 and am now training for RnR St. Louis full marathon in Oct. 🙂
Thanks for stopping by my blog and liking my post 🙂 Your blog is very inspiring!
My pleasure and Thanks 🙂
How inspiring you are!
Hey Charlotte. Can we talk? I’m a 52 yr old male, noodling on running my first marathon. Could use some mentoring… would love to hear your experience. If you are game, maybe reach out to me at iwrite@chuckdouros.com, and we can go from there. Would love to grab a phone call with you about your marathon prep.
Just because you’re awesome!
http://weight2lose2013.wordpress.com/2014/10/22/wednesdays-are-lovely/
Honestly, don’t feel that you have to participate, but i wanted to give a big shout out to your blog.
🙂
Thank you, Rob! 🙂 🙂
Just checking in, Charlotte. Missing you and I hope that all is well with you.
Hi Ron! Thank you so much for checking in on me. I am doing good, really. I work so much anymore that I don’t get a chance to get on here. I got a new job with more responsibilities that I’m going nuts! I stopped running for a while due to long hours but I recently started back up. My Cardinals didn’t go far this year and the Blues will disappoint me again, surely! haha How are you? I do catch your blogs posts occassionally and your popularity is booming!
This is such an inspiring transformation!
Thank you 🙂
Wow….such an inspiring story Charlotte. I’d like to feature you on my 50+ Runners website in a section called “My Story”. I am building a community of 50+ runners to Encourage Inspire and Support one another..and your story is perfect! If you are interested…send me an email at fiftyplusrunner@gmail.com I look foward to hearing from you. Ron 🙂
Great story.I just found your blog. I hope to continue reading it.
Hi Charlotte, I’ve enjoyed reading your blog and I’ve added it to my list of women running bloggers over 50 http://runyoung50.co.uk/us-running-blogs/ (Have used the photo from this page – hope that’s OK) Katie
Thank you! I’m flattered 🙂
HI, Charlotte. Thanks for stopping by my blog and liking my post on simple weight loss principles from Harvard. I am impressed with your progress. Well done!