About Me

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.