Karen Gaylor Had a Stroke, Lost Over 100 Pounds and Regained Her Health

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Karen's Story
After growing up as a thin normal child and teen, I started gaining weight in my twenties. Then when I got pregnant with my oldest son, I gained 50 lbs and never really looked back. I gained another 20-25 lbs with each of my boys. By the time my third son was born, I was over 200 lbs. At 5'5", that was 75 lbs overweight. Every time I tried to lose weight, I would succeed for a couple of months but would always regain what I lost and a few more lbs extra.
In the 90s, I tried phen-fen and lost 70 lbs only to once again, gain the weight back plus a little more. By the time the 2000s rolled around, I was 100+ lbs overweight. In 2004, I was at my heaviest at 260 lbs.
In 2011, I had a stroke after eating a low low carb diet and not being able to maintain it. It left me with left side weakness including left hemisphere blindness.
Finally in 2019, I discovered a whole food plant exclusive diet and the secret to finally losing the weight that had plagued me. I also found Chef AJ and eating sofas free and I never intend to go back to meat and dairy.
Last year, I had an undiagnosed excruciating pain and while I continued to eat wfpe, I let Taco Bell hook me in. I did the reboot last year and started to regain my desire for sofas free and understanding how important it is. I am slowly losing the 15 lbs I gained and I also re-examined my why. Being wfpe-sofas free has been a great way to eat!

[@adiposerex5150]

It is so difficult to eat healthy in this country. The grocery stores are 80% junk. I started eating plant based at about age 60. Now I am 72 and feel better than when I was young. I am so glad I made the change.

[@jgrysiak6566]

I just skip right past the junk; after the flour withdrawal , the boxed cereal aisle doesn't even faze me!

[@ellen9579]

Lovely presentation, Karen. My best friend was diabetic, had a stroke and weighed well over 300 lbs. I wish she was still on this earth to hear your inspirational story. However, I plan to share your story whenever the opportunities arise. Thank you, Karen!

[@lindamcnamara935]

“It is not my food.” ❤

[@sandraelder1101]

Someone should open a chain of healthy plant-based fast food cafes!!! Many people, even SAD eaters would eat there if the food was tasty and reasonably-priced.

[@sandybayes]

Please have Cardiac Electrophysiologist on to explain strokes caused by A-Fib. I have A-Fib and have had 3 strokes. I have been on a whole plant based diet for 7 years now not to prevent an A-Fib stroke but to keep my body as healthy as possible. .

[@angelaochoa6684]

What a great story 👏 🙏💞🤗💪🌱💚

[@lindamcnamara935]

Congrats on your success, Karen. You’ve had a transformation in your health and wellness.

[@lindamcnamara935]

Excited for your story, Karen!

[@krabbelkram4046]

@Karen Gaylor, so nicht to see how well you are doing and to hear the voice of the Lady, who is always so nice and helpful in the chat. I felt welcomed when you were greeting me ohne night I made it to a Chef AJs life, usually I can not be on, as I am in Germany. Now you mentioned in your Interview that you like to find out where everybody is from and that you like to get to know ppl from everywhere. Keep doing, what you are doing, you are an Inspiration 😊

[@vi3472]

Karen, you have overcome so much on your journey! Sharing your story about Taco Bell is helpful because it points out to us that you can have a temporary glitch and then come back from it and continue you reach for your goals. You are very strong and I appreciate your authenticity about your ups and downs. You look beautiful! Thanks Chef AJ and everyone!

[@romanb1827]

What a great testimony to this way of eating!!

[@susanalderman2458]

Thanks so much for sharing your story, Karen. 🌻

[@lindamcnamara935]

You look radiant

[@jgrysiak6566]

My last holdout @ Taco Bell was hard shell black bean tacos. They told me there was no oil in the black beans but oil was still lurking in the taco shell! I finally had my epiphany & realized corn flour & oil was not healthy & stopped dumping my money @ Taco Bell!

[@lindalarue1722]

Lovely interview! I really enjoyed Karen's story so much and she has such wisdom.

[@traciireese1449]

Lovely to see you on chef AJ Karen! 😃

[@sandybayes]

I hope Karen chases down the cause of her stroke. She doesn't mention how her stroke cause has been dealt with or what caused the s blood clot in her brain. Over 40% of stroke patients never find the cause and many of those patients have undiagnosed A-Fib and have no symptoms. Strokes are not always caused by epithelial lining problems. I hope she pursues the cause.

[@barbarawaldowski9653]

Wonderful!!

[@daisymae3747]

Snacksident!!! LOVE IT ❤

[@Bonnieuxful]

I loved your talk with Chris Wark, Chef AJ❣️ I kindly would advise you to gain some weight Chef AJ. You are a lovely lady.💕🥰💕God bless you🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻

[@Kindlelover88]

Karen broccoli is hard for me and Taco Bell is easy😂

[@mannydirects]

What does she mean by Taco Bell? I’m late

[@1annemwalters]

It is a very popular US Mexican fast food restaurant. I am an American in South Korea and they even have a couple here in Seoul.

[@1annemwalters]

There was another guest who publishes as FatMan...gosh, cant remember his real name, and he had a huge, hue addiction to Taco Bell. His story is on AJs site, too.