TOPS Success
submitted by Ruth VanBogelen
The local TOPS chapter has some wonderful news to share. One of our members had the 2nd highest weight loss in 2018 of all TOPS chapters in Michigan for a weight loss division 4.
So who was the winner and what is TOPS? TOPS stands for Take Off Pounds Sensibly. Tamara Denby joined TOPS in February 2018 and lost 42.8 pounds by the end of 2018. At the Michigan TOPS State Recognition Day on May 18, 2019, Tamara was given her award for second place by the head of TOPS in Michigan and the President of TOPS International. Tamara’s story is below with her before and after picture.
TOPS Club, Inc. is a non-profit organization which has been in business more than 70 years. The organization provides support for local chapters to motivate local residents to lose weight by eating right and moving more. There is no specific eating plan members are required to follow; instead we learn together, exchange ideas, but most importantly we become friends who encourage each other to get healthy without crash diets or excessive exercise. We live by the name – taking pounds off sensibly. www.tops.org
The Manchester TOPS chapter meets in the Village Room (912 City Rd) on Tuesdays with two meeting times: 8:20 am and 6:30 pm. The cost to become a member is $32 for a year’s registration and $1 a week chapter dues. Currently, there are 48 members of the Manchester TOPS chapter. We all provide lots of encouragement, support and prizes!! Come check out a meeting anytime.
Many members of the Manchester TOPS have experienced success. Twenty three people have lost 7% of more of their weight. This is a significant percentage, as it reduces their risk of developing TYPE II Diabetes by half. Jim Sewell is the chapter’s top weight loss champion with 65 pounds lost since the chapter starting in September of 2017. Several people have reached their goal weight and become KOPS members within our chapter. KOPS stands for Keep Off Pounds Sensibly. Below Tamara’s success story are some quotes from members
Tamara’s Success Story
“How much is a good quality of life worth? What price would I be willing to pay to be active and healthy? That’s the question I ask myself every day. But we’re getting ahead of ourselves. Let me start at the beginning of my weight loss journey.
When my grandmother was my age, she was severely debilitated, the victim of an aggressive case of arthritis. One year ago, I was walking in her footsteps, in my early fifties, barely able to stand, and suffering from unrelenting, crippling pain. I had been “trying” to lose weight for several years. Note the quotes. If I were being honest, I’d admit I wasn’t trying hard. There was an infinite number of excuses and a lot of I’ll-start-tomorrows standing in my way.
But then the scale climbed to an all-time high, and I hit bottom. It was a college visit with my daughter that made me see how serious my health issues were getting. That day, I hobbled behind everyone else–breathless, swollen, and dizzy, and it scared me. I was running out of time. I had to act now, or the consequences would start getting serious. I wouldn’t be able to turn it around without medical intervention.
I bought a stand for my bike because I wasn’t strong enough to bicycle outside, and I joined TOPS. TOPS teaches us that slow and steady weight loss is the way to go. That’s exactly what I did–I started slow. I tracked everything I ate, even the “bad” stuff. I aimed for a moderate cut in calories. And I committed to spending five minutes, three times a week on my bicycle. I focused on making small changes. Manageable changes. I avoided strict diets or intense exercise regimens because I wanted the changes to last.
Not only did those small changes last, but they gradually led to increasingly better habits. Five minutes of cycling turned to 15 minutes, then 40. A cut in sugary desserts led to a shift to fresh foods which led to a complete overhaul of my diet. I focused on my health, not the numbers on the scale. I measured my success by how I felt. And with each pound I lost, I felt better.
There is no doubt my TOPS chapter and weight loss buddy, Angela, have had a huge impact on my results. Not only have they provided me with tools to help me in my weight loss journey, but also helped me stay focused and motivated. Now, those new habits are completely woven into the fabric of my life.
What would I pay to be able to walk as far as I want pain-free? What would I pay to have the energy to keep up with my grandchildren? What is a good quality of life worth? Now that I have reclaimed my health, I know those things are truly priceless.”
Here are some quotes from TOPS members
“I have lived in Manchester for over 30 years but have made many new friendships in TOPS in the last year and a half and lost nearly 10% of the weight toward my goal of losing 17.5%. I know I can accomplish my goal but more importantly, I know this time I will keep the pounds off for the rest of my life.” Ruth
“Knowing that I am not alone in my ongoing efforts to achieve a healthy weight is a tremendous help. The weekly encouragement from other TOPS members helps keep me focused on my goal of sustaining a healthy lifestyle.” Anita
TOPS isn’t just for those that need to lose a lot of weight. I fall into the category that many are in. In my lifetime I’ve probably lost over 100+ lbs. and gained it back again. The same 20 lb over and over and over. Terribly hard on your body, mind, & spirit. With the continued weekly support of TOPS, not only have I reached my goal weight calculated by my doctor, I know I’ve left that rollercoaster ride of gaining, losing behind. Take a look at my weight graph I keep stored on My Fitness Plan.” Kim
“The topics for discussion at the meetings are so interesting and helpful. I would encourage anyone who wishes to eat healthy and feel great to join TOPS.” Connie
“A TOPS group had formed in Manchester. The location was convenient, especially in winter, the cost nominal, the leader and members congenial and welcoming, so why was I waiting to start the healthy lifestyle I wanted? I joined the TOPS group and soon found that is certainly is a sensible way to lose weight and achieve a healthier lifestyle. It means work but it is worth it. Other members are friendly, supportive, and nonjudgmental; it is not a race! I lost 10% of my weight and am working on losing the next 10% knowing that it is feasible.” Rosemary
“It isn’t easy, but when you have friends that support you it can be done” Kathleen
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