Could you anyone tell me anything about the TOPS program from their experience. I think I need a plan. A REAL PLAN. This seems the most cost-effective, and close to my house, and the gym.

Thank you!!!

Wow,
what a busy day, and it so good to see so many people.
Deerod- Yah! you stoped back in. We all fall off, we just have to get back on. I hit a breaking point not to long ago so I switched plans and recieved new determination and the pounds are coming off, you can do it!

L2L- ahhh, that maust be so aggrivating, haveing a personal trainer GF and not being able to get the help you want. I had a friend once that would always tell me, I'd like to see you skinny. Yeah, me to! Like I said to Dee, I switched plans, I am doing the Core plan at WW and its great, its kind of like South beach, there are foods that you can eat with out counting or watching and then treats and extras, you count points. Its very healthy and so much easier than I thought. Have you considered joining WW or another type of group? It helps me a lot, I goto the meeting, I've made some friends that I would probably never have met in my everyday life.

Both of you gals, don't get down, its a constant battle, I've been tyring to lose for 5 years! five years! ahhh, I've gotten down then back up then down then back, I've never made it to goal, but its like they say about smoking, every time you try to quit, its like practice for the time you actually do. This time, I am determined, I am going to make it. We talked about what to do once you reach goal at my meeting this week, and I was thinking, I am so far off, I can't even think about that, but someday, it will come.

Ok, whew, that was a lot of rambling. I have to keep my self going by saying these things or else I forget and start to slip and eat that stuff that is not so good for me or don't get up in time to excersise.

Hey to everyone eles, Got to get to work,
Keep posting, I'll check back in later,
Jennie

WELCOME BACK L2L!!! OMG.....you really hit a chord with me. Sometimes we all have to reach rock bottom before we can really see "the light" and get the help we need. I AM SO GLAD TO HAVE YOU BACK!!! I don't know anything about TOPS, but acknowledgement to a problem is the first step. It sounds to me like you've had your "A HA" moment. Take that as your first step and build from there. I wish your trainer friend was more into you and your plea for help. The comment about "being happier" wasn't neccesary, ....I likened it to kicking a person when they were down and out. Well enough about all of that!!! Here's my hand....(stretching hand over to L2L)...GRAB ON..!!!! We are all here for each other. Remember baby steps, and to keep in mind that one little slip does not lose the entire day. Journal your food intake and maybe some feelings about foods that you eat (why when where), that might help you if and when you go to TOPS. HAVE A FANTASTIC DAY!!!!

aww L2L great to see u back!!! Girl climb back up on the wagon... shoot just start over...One thing ya know you can lose em again... try small steps.. when ya wanna eat just make yourself eat something healthy.. open a can of veggies, make oatmeal, make sugar free jello and have it on hand... fat free cheese sticks, pre made salad..
dont say i cant eat.. just say I will eat only things that will do me some good..

fill that water bottle up and drink drink drink... YOU CAN DO IT!!!

we are all here for u!

WOW!! GLad to see some people back!!! Yippeee!!!!! In no way am I trying to sound harsh but here goes and a lot of this applies to most of us:

Deerod: You can do this!!!Take it one day at a time, one hour at a time, one meal at a time and one second at a time!! Make small changes and then go from there. Right now consentrate on you.

L2L: It is nice to have a little help from your "friends" but I hate to say it... The Drive and Ambition has to come from YOU!!! only YOU!!!!!!! You have made a huge step in the right direction, admitting there is a problem. I have always said it and I will keep saying it... Weight loss is more MENTAL than food and exercise. Keep yourself on track!! Tops might be the program for you but pick one and stick with it..through thick and thin!!! Give the programs a chance... if it is not working in 6 months than change. I am not trying to step on your toes..just trying to keep you on the path. WW has worked for me but only because I have the internal ambition and drive.

Angel: When I seen my 5lb gain..I was like WHAT???????? THen the next week... honestly, I exspected to lose it...and when I saw a gain again...I was like WHAT?????????????????? So I was up 8.6lbs...I was crushed and devistated. I cried when I left the meeting. I re-examined what I was doing and looked back on my journals. Want to hear something funny...I wasn't eating enough to make up for the extra exercise. Sort of like last night on the BIggest Loser when the first guy only lost 4lbs... he was talking about building muscle but I honestly don't think he ate enough to make up for it. I noticed on weeks that I exericse my butt off I dont lose. The weeks I take it at a steady pace..I lose. So I am limiting myself to 4 AP a day..no more. LOL I did change meetings and I am down a lb from Saturday... I know I will lose this week.. I am working the program 110%. I still think WATER is one of the most important things. I am not going to look at it like I have to lose this weight again. THere is no reason for the gain other than the not smoking status. I take responsability and I am in control.

Turtle: Hope you get the rest you needed and are on track.

Curly: I already have in 87oz of water today..YIKES and it is only 9am. I drink tons of water..I do think it is a big part of my success. I do know if I didn't get in enough water.

Jennie: Great attitude. Yes, you have to work the program to be sucessful but you don't have to be perfect. I think we exspect too much of ourselves at times. I think if you do mess up... ok..you did..get over it and go on..Does that make sense. Instead of dwelling on it and making more out of it than need be.

Petra: You are steady as it goes but you work your program. I think that is the key.

Iwmonn, COngrats on the lb and get the toe taken care of..those hurt..I know. LOL


Ok..I am now officially off my soap box. LOL

Everyone I forgot..I hope you have a wonderful on program day.

WE need to set goals for ourselves. I did lose track of the Halloween Goals. (it is hard keeping track of someone else's loss) Most of us wanted to be in onderland....I am going to fall short so my Turkey Time goal is to be in onderland. That is a tall order but if I don't make it..then it will be the Best CHristmas Ever in Onderland. I will get to onderland someday..

A big thank you for all the support.

A special thank you to LISA for the firecracker under my behind that I need. Bless you~

do u remember when we started this spooktacular goal? and will we start our turkey goal nov 1st? lol this time everyone should make a Turkey Ticker...

I don't know where to start! Dee AND L2L came back to us. How cool is that? I'm tickled pink. Ever see a pink turtle? L2L I go to TOPS it's a lot of fun and tons of motivation, but the chapter I belong to doesn't really advocate any certain plan, it's more about the support, the camaraderie, fun, games and accountability of weighing in, in an official capacity. I think if you go to [url]Tops.org you'll find a way to find a chapter near you (there's a link on the home page). The plan they suggest is like the Diabetic exchange, at least my chapter did. I am so glad you've come back to us. I want to see you happy and smiling too. You so deserve it, we ALL do.

Well, I over slept this morning, I guess I'm STILL catching up sleep (is that possible?) but I'm working like a maniac to get the laundry and house work caught back up before work. I WILL post again from work and catch up with all the other posts. I just wanted to comment to L2L (so glad you've come back).

Curly....We started the challenge 3rd week in August. I remember everyone pledged a high amount except Petra (who pledged a more do-able amount as she is very aware of her body). I think a few of us, myself included wanted that golden "20" lb loss. hehe...we'll see about that, kinda think now that I was reaching for the stars. I'm in for the next challenge....turkey take-off? Is that what we're calling it? SIGN ME UP!!! But you're right, we each need a ticker to keep track of our results. GOBBLE GOBBLE!!!

hey i know this was a few days ago... but i was wonderin i bet if u bring that stuff for the pumpkin butter to a boil and then transfer it u could just let it cook down slowly in a crock pot what do ya think?

L2L: I am glad I Didn't hurt your feelings sometimes support is a hug but sometimes it needs to be a kick in the butt!! You can do this girl..quit playing the weight loss game and just do it!!!

I am in for the turkey challenge.I was so close to making the Halloween one but I messed myself up by quitting smoking(but so glad I did!!) and then having that huge gain.(still tryign to figure that one out) SO before I give you a number I want to wait until next Monday and see what my loss will be for this week so I can get a more realistic view of where I am at. Does that make sense? I still want to be in onderland by Thanksgiving but I want an honest...where do I start. I will make me a tracker to do it with on Monday after WI.

Anyone else ever make WW VEggie Soup?? I made some over the weekend and I LOVE IT!! It has been my lunch all week. I have that with a rice cake and 1 tsp of peanut butter. VERY FILLING!!

omg, lisa look at that lil cutie on ur av!!!

That's my baby!!!! and my inspiration!!!!!

THose are the fall leaves in Wyoming..IT has been beautiful here up until today...raining and cruddy today.

howdy everyone!!.. just wanted to thank you all for the support.. I made better choices yesterday,, we went to Applebee's for dinner, and I had one of their Weight Watcher meals.. with like 6 grams of fat and 600 calories.. today I'm making steamed veggies and T-bones on the grill.. I need to get back into the good habit of keeping a food journal.. and excercizing and drinking water.. but one step at a time right? Well I would love to get in on the "Turkey Ticker".. and I'm giving myself till Monday to get back on track.. I did really well with the plan I started on, until I decided it was okay to put it on pause for different social events.. but not this time.. I'm still a little hesitant of my self, but I know with you great gals I have the support I need.. Thank you...

Dear L2L, please don't be down on yourself, I know that you can get back OP, you have done it before. That *must* have meant something!

Why not give TOPS a try. If you don't like it you don't have to keep going.

I agree with Lisa_WM that motivation has to come from within, but friends don't hurt either, and you have a lot of friends here, all pulling for you.

We all fall down, the way to success is in getting back up and trying again.

Dee, you started this bunch right? We need your posts and like Petra said, you will get going OP again when the time is right.

Hi to all, zoey