TOPS celebrates five years in Manchester

TOPS has helped many Manchester folks lose weight and improve their lives without prescribed diet plans.

submitted by Susan Fielder, TOPS member

The Manchester Chapter of Take Off Pounds Sensibly has been meeting weekly for five years, as of September 12. We are inviting others to join us as we continue supporting one another in making healthy life choices.

Weekly discussion topics focus on healthy eating, exercise routines, and mindful strategies that contribute to long, productive life experiences.

Meetings are 30–45 minutes long. Members weigh in (optional) before the meeting starts. Meetings begin with introduction and sharing successes and challenges, and continue with a short program (10–20 minutes). Last week we learned more about vitamins; this week we’re learning about healthy sleep strategies. The topics vary, but are supported by research.

TOPS is a support group; we do not suggest prescribed eating plans. When members reach their goal weight, they become KOPS (Keep Off Pounds Sensibly) and continue getting support from the group.

TOPS.org is a nonprofit organization that started more than 70 years ago. The parent organization supports hundreds of local chapters in the US and Canada. The cost to register is $49 for the first year, then $37 for subsequent years. (Really — a year, not a month!)

The TOPS.org website has lots of information for potential new members, and once you are a member (online or with a chapter) you receive a login and password to gain access to much more information, including recipes, blogs, and seminars.

Our members have shared why TOPS has had a positive impact on their lives:

• “I’m motivated to make healthy life choices, because I want to have as much time as I can with my grandchildren.”
• “Since I have lost about 18 pounds, my hip doesn’t hurt as much.”
• “I have more energy to do the things I want — going for walks, playing golf, and working in my garden.”
• “TOPS has given me a lot of support for weight loss and encouraging me to eat healthy and exercise. I’ve also gained some great new friends in my weight loss journey.”
• “I started at TOPS, lost weight to reach my goal, but then quit going to meetings. As the weight gradually returned, I realized the weekly support is really important for me.”

We have two groups that meet on Tuesdays in the Manchester Village Room. One group meets at 8:15am and the other group meets at 6:15pm. You are welcome to attend a couple of meetings to learn more about us! For more information, call 734-972-5652 or message sfielder@umich.edu.

And by the way — men are invited, too!

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.