covers my first year of Experiments with tons of bonus stuff not covered on my blog!Q: What do you mean “The Great Fitness Experiment”?
A: You know how you read all these studies in magazines and you wonder if it actually works on anything besides mice? Well, I read all the health and fitness research I can get my sweaty hands on and then I test it out – on myself mostly. But I also use (and abuse) several Gym Buddies to bring you all the data. Plus I summarize it for you. You’ll learn to love me.
Q. What’s your real name?
Q. No seriously.
A. Charlotte Hilton Andersen.
Q. Are you related to the Hiltons?
A. Of course. That’s what my iron-on family reunion t-shirt says, doesn’t it? Oh, wait, you mean like Paris? Well, yeah. But only in the sense that we all trace back to the same historically insane Hiltons-of-lesser-royalty several centuries ago in England (we even have a castle! That’s not a hotel!!). See, crazy runs in the fam! But thankfully I inherited the keep-my-panties-on gene. It’s from my mother’s side.
Q. How old are you?
A. 32. But I like to tell people I’m 40 just to see them gasp and go, “But you look five years younger than that!!!!” Although I suppose that means I really look three years older than I am. May be time to rethink that strategy.
Q. What are your stats?
A. I’m a 5′ 11″ 105-lb glamazon with DD knockers and airbrushed abs. Because nobody lies on the internet. Which is why I only post the changes in my weight, body fat % and so forth. And oh yeah I got a 2500 on my SATs.
Q. How many kids do you have? Sometimes you say four, sometimes five? Are you just bad at counting?
A. I’m an excellent counter. Just ask my kids how fast I can get to three. As for the little nibblers – I’ve birthed me five babies but my oldest, a daughter, died of Turner’s Syndrome on, ironically, Sep. 11, 2001. So now my husband and I our raising three boys, eight, six and four and our daughter, one.
Q. What’s your day job?
A. Shrieking like a harpy. Oh, wait, I don’t get paid for that. I was a teacher for 7 years, both at the university and high school levels. Now I have the most boring job in the known universe: grading SAT essays from home. At least I can say that I know bad writing when I see it… and I see a lot of it. I not-so-secretly wish to be a health and fitness writer though. Feel free to e-mail me and drop a job offer in my lap. Power of positive thinking, people!!
Q. How do you get so much done?
A. I don’t watch TV or movies. For reals – haven’t seen anything other than the occasional documentary in over four years. And I don’t miss it a bit. Now if I could just kick this Internet addiction…
Q. Are you religious?
A. I’m a practicing member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (a.k.a. Mormon). This means I don’t smoke, drink alcohol, coffee or tea or do illegal drugs. I also fast (abstain from food & drink) for 24 hours once a month. I don’t curse, have horns or sacrifice goats. I only have one mother. I’ve never met Napoleon Dynamite or Mitt Romney.
Q. What makes you qualified to give advice?
A. Nothing! It’s liberating, actually. Why burden down a great opinion with actual knowledge? I have a bachelor’s degree in Psychology (again with the crazy!) and a master’s degree in Computer Information Systems and Education. (Which is a travesty given how, um, awesome this website is. Let’s just say I’m a content girl now.) Besides, I try not to give advice. Well, beyond what not to wear to the gym. My purpose is to present to you the research I’ve found and then to test it out and tell you what happens. Anything you do with it after that point is solely on your own head (zoomers!!).
Q. So… fitness.
A. Yep. It’s my passion, my hobby, what gets me up in the morning and what I dream about at night. Some call it a sickness. I’d probably agree with them. I read every piece of research (and pseudo-research) I can find about health and fitness. Books, magazines, websites – I consume them all. If I had a laptop, I’d even read it on the toilet but seeing as I don’t, I stick to crossword puzzles which is probably best for all involved. You all already hear too much about my poo as it is.
Q. Is there anything you won’t try?
A. I’m all about the experimenting and I have very little pride. So, try me! If you have an idea for an experiment – drop me a line!
Q. What’s your weakness?
A. Patrick Dempsey (he’s a dead ringer for my husband). Oh… you mean food? Sweetart Jellybeans. To anyone who can find them for me outside of the Easter season, I’d be eternally indebted.
Q. What do you eat?
A. While I have been everything from a vegetarian to a vegan to a gluten-free soy-free vegan, these days I follow Intuitive Eating and I can now say with pride: I eat everything! I favor whole foods, as close to their natural state as I can get them.
Q. You eat weird stuff.
A. Well it does all come out looking like poo in the end.
Q. I can’t lose weight, can you help me?
A. This is not a weight-loss blog. I’m sorry. But I do try and post relevant studies and I always encourage experimentation. You have all my empathy though – losing weight after my kids were born was excruciatingly hard – and I hope that you will keep me apprised of what works for you and what doesn’t.
Q. I have, er, my friend has an eating disorder. Can you help me? I mean her??
A. I wish I could. I’ve struggled with eating disorders myself for many years. It was one reason I went into psych as a naive undergrad (well that and I got to experiment on people!!). I’m a terrible counselor. Thankfully there are a lot of great eating disorder resources now. I’d encourage you to start with ANAD.
Q. I was sexually abused/assaulted too. Can you help me?
A. My heart goes out to you. Truly. The sexual assault was the second worst thing that has ever happened to me, superseded only by the ensuing court case. Unfortunately, I am a horrible counselor. I’d encourage you to call the great folks at RAINN.
Q. I LOOOOOVVVVEEE your site.
A. Thanks mom:)
A2. And I looooovvvveee you too. I really do – you readers and fellow bloggers never cease to enlighten, surprise, entertain and educate me. I’m constantly amazed at the great network of intelligent, witty and all-around awesome folks I’ve met here. Don’t forget to check me out on The Huffington Post as well.
Q. Where do you get all those hilarious pics you post?
A. I am the Google Master. Feel free to bow. (Or if I’ve inadvertently violated your copyright policy, just e-mail me.)
Q. What if I have an idea for an experiment or a question you haven’t covered here?
A. E-mail me!!
as always, you crack me up! I almost spit out my highly caffeinated drink at the “I only have one mother” line. Hilarious!
Thanks for telling us more about you!
Lisa
You are too funny! I am really interested in your future experiments.
My old friend, your cousin Charlene, directed me over here, and I must say your attitude, story, and humor inspire me! I’m just about to have a baby, so no August or September experiments for me unless you have an immediately post-partum version, but I’ll keep checking in if for nothing other than the joke ideas!
I am so glad I discovered a fellow writer who loves fitness even more than I do (and that’s saying something). You are truly a gift from God. Keep writing and encouraging all of us as you do so well!
I just rambled over here today and I love it. I love the gorgeous colors (all my blogs have an unfortunate tendency toward pinkness–can’t help myself) and the fun ‘tude you exhibit. Will be stopping by often.
you are TOO FREAKIN CUTE!
Whoops! I hit send by accident! I am anonymous and you still are TOO FREAKIN CUTE!
I like your spirit and sense of humour. nice blog and you are such an incredible woman. =)
I just found your blog and I absolutely love it already!!! You are such a good writer! Can’t wait to keep reading!
You are fantastic!!
Just discovered your blog (thanks to Mizfitonline)and so glad I did. You’re so cute and funny too!
nice blog..You’re so cute
I really enjoyed reading your blog. I was checking out the Jillian Michael book on the internet when I came across your website. I love your choice of backgrounds, etc. Have you heard of something called the BodyBugg? I'm checking into it. let me know what you've heard and/or think about it.
Tricia – I have heard TONS about the bodybugg. For me, right now, I'm not interested in that level of tracking but I could definitely see wanting one later on down the road (when I'm not pregnant!). Let me know if you try one!
One of the best blogs I've ever read. Congrats!
Hi, I just found your blog from blogher. And it's really helpful. I love your blog and you!
It's wonderful!
I just stumbled on your blog…Great and truly inspiring. I just had a baby and she is close to 4 months old and here I am trying to lose the bulges. Loved reading and will keep doing so.
Good luck with your experiments:)
Hi Charlotte, i just stumbled onto your blog quite by mistake (through LinkdIn) – but you had me hooked at 'Hello'. Great writing. Love it.
I don't read many blogs. Seriously, who has the time? However, after accidentally stumbling upon yours, I'm a return reader. Great writing. Great attitude. Great content. That's 3 greats! Keep up the enthusiasm. You are inspiring us all!
OH MY GOODNESS! I'm so glad I found you…through Deb, the great "Hello Dolly" style blogging matchmaker. You've got a new reader, baby!
I am really enjoying your blogging. Keep up the awesome work!!!
Allie C
Hi
This is a very good site.
Love to give up the running but am scared of weight gain.
You are too funny…love your About Me page. Your kids are beautiful and if your husband looks like Patrick Dempsey he must be very beautiful too!
Can't wait to read more of your posts!
hey charlotte! i'm new around here and since i also share the pain of weighing 105lbs with DD knockers, i thought i'd introduce myself. (it's HARD, isn't it? walking and stuff….your center of gravity being so high-up…) they might call us freaks, but we're freaks with feelings, dang it!
keep up the good stuff, can't wait to see more!
Hello:
My husband joined a new gym – we live in a new area now. He is 6'2 and is buffed out. He has been working out faithfully for years. He likes to wear Gold gym tank tops (they look sexy on him) but the shirt shows some of his nipples because well, he is a big guy. The manager said he had to change his shirt because his nipples were showing. The other gyms he has been a member of never complained about this. They said he had to wear pasties if he wasn't going to wear the t-shirt they provided him. He is not comfortable wearing a t-shirt when working out? What is your feeling on this? He said there was nothing in the contract about it and he read it word by word. He is upset by this but feels good in these types of shirts. Has anyone ever gone through this before? Nancy
You're funny and I like you. =)
it is pretty bad that i haven't popped over here yet. after reading deb's and jenn's blog for so long and knowing you were a part of the secret project, i should have known i would fall in love with you and your blog. in the non-creepiest way possible. after reading this page i realize you are incredibly hilarious. where do you live? i see snow photos and talk of LDS so if it WAS utah i would be excited.. but that is probably not the case as hardly any bloggers in this specific community live here. anyway, excited to follow along! xo
I'm currently prescribed Adderall. Interesting article.
Thomkat
Charlotte,
I recently discovered your blog and immediately added it to my RSS reader. You are one of the coolest people I've read about (I was going to say 'that I know'; after reading hundreds of your posts I feel like I've known you for ages). Not only do I care about the topics you're discussing, I absolutely LOVE your writing style. Nobody can touch an audience like you can. One of the best blogs out there!
Your fan in Europe
I just found you Charlotte, and I love your writing! I don't feel like posting it in this comment- (the details) but wow do I have a lot in common with you. You've been saying all the things that I have been not saying. I am glad to see that you are not only successful at it, but helping so many! Power to you!
Drea
Two Tumblrs I have found that I think you might be interested in. Forgive me if they're old news, but they're pretty cool.
http://www.embodyyourbody.com/
This one is community driven with pictures of women and girls feeling beautiful no matter what they look like. You probably want to look at this one when your sons aren't around because there are plenty of scantily clad women and some brief female nudity (it's not vulgar at all, but you have mentioned that you are religious, and I don't want to push you into a strange situation that your sons aren't prepared for!).
http://curveappeal.tumblr.com/
This one is similar to the first, but is more about posting photos of curvy models and celebrities.
Unfortunately neither of these are fitness focused, but they are about feeling great in your body, regardless of what it looks like.
Thanks for writing!
Jeez, thanks very much for posting this! It is gonna help when I am thinking about going to Movies Midland TX in Fort Wayne! I am from Warrington so I am not familiar with Midland. Next time I visit my family will be much better! So Crazy!