Kay Nalbone gets a dose of healthy eating

Developing epilepsy can turn a person's world upside down. Just ask Kay Nalbone of Concord, N.C. Even though seizures could strike without warning, she wasn't letting them control her life.

Kay was diagnosed with epilepsy after suffering a bad fall in 1982. Her new medicines and love for food weren't a good match. The combination caused Kay to pack on the pounds. Before long, she weighed 256.

Walking was difficult for Kay, and she couldn't climb the stairs without having to stop and catch her breath. The extra pounds made her feet, back, and neck ache constantly. Her 5-foot, 5-inch frame struggled to support her weight.

She was also frequently fatigued, and couldn't get through the day without napping. None of her clothes fit right, and she hated shopping in plus-size stores.

Kay's family was worried. Her brother encouraged Kay to lose the pounds. She tried dieting, but always regained the weight. And counting points and calories became too tedious. She just couldn't find a plan that fit her life.

Then she found L A Weight Loss, and liked the concept of learning how to eat healthy for life. She joined her local center in April 2002, determined to drop the pounds.

Kay's personal weight loss counselors helped her adjust her diet, and ensured the foods she ate didn't react negatively with her epilepsy medication. They replaced her daily fast food binges and candy indulgences with well-balanced meals and healthy snacks.

Kay added more fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and fish to her eating plan. And with the help of her L A Lite cookbook, she found new ways to prepare delicious meals.

Today Kay is 103 pounds lighter, now weighing 153! She feels like a whole new person. Her aches and pains are gone, her epilepsy is under more control, and she has plenty of energy to walk three to four times a week without getting winded.

And best of all, Kay can buy clothes from any store! She loves to go shopping, and has filled her closet with cute outfits.

As a daily reminder of how far she's come, Kay keeps a pair of pants she wore when she was her heaviest.

Way to go, Kay! Keep up the fantastic work!

Here's Kay before, at 256 pounds:



And here she is 103 pounds later at 153. Wow! Great job, Kay!



FAST FACTS

Name: Kay Nalbone
Hometown: Concord, N.C.
Age: 54
Height: 5'5"

Starting weight: 256 pounds
Goal weight: 140 pounds
Current weight: 153 pounds
Program start date: April 2002

Favorite food: Squash casserole.

Biggest temptation: M&M's.

Biggest motivator: Buying cute new clothes.

Biggest obstacle: Resisting chocolate.

Old eating philosophy: Eating anything, anytime, anywhere.

New eating philosophy: Eating well-balanced meals.

Best thing about losing weight: Feeling better, and buying new clothes.

Best weight loss secret learned: Rotate your food so you don't get stuck in a rut.