Good Morning,

I've been enjoying this web site for the last two weeks and with the help and encouragement of the posts I've been reading, I've been able to stick to my new healthy weight plan,(not calling it a diet), and lost 6lbs the first week, weigh in again tommorow.

I'm interested in joining TOPS, just so I know I have someone who's going to weigh me each week, and the support they provide. I've belonged to weight watchers and enjoyed their weekly meetings and weigh in's, but I don't want to be stuck to any one diet plan. I don't want to have to count points and journal all the time and when I miss a day of journaling or counting points I find it harder to start again, feels like I've failed yet again.

I plan to eat healthier more fruits and veggies and smaller portions, and drink lots of water, and no pop. I also plan on walking when it gets nicer out and maybe some Richard Simmons, a couple times a week. I have a bad knee so anything bouncy is out of the question.

Would love to hear how TOPS has helped you and what you do to lose weight.

Welcome to the boards. Everyone here is doing something different. Some are doing low carbs, some are doing sugar busters, some are doing weight watchers, some are doing balance diet. Whatever works for them.
Altho this is a great site you do need to join a chapter. There are things that a chapter can do to help you that we can't.
But we are glad to have you. This is sorta our internet chapter

Hi Duckie! It sounds like TOPS is perfect for you. Two things I really like about it is first, you can pick your own food plan, and second your weight goal is determined by you and your healthcare practitioner, not some outdated weight chart. If you haven't already, be sure to check out the TOPS site at http://www.tops.org and if you'd like to see a really inspiring story, visit here: http://www.geocities.com/snues208/ Best Wishes, and let us know about your new chapter!

~Kim

I have a question about tops. At what point do you see your doctor? Can you attend a meeting before, seeing the doctor?
Also does tops give you something for the doctor to fill out?

I have read alot about weight watchers, it seems that ww sells
material.(?) Does Tops also have weight journals and other material available?

Sorry about so many silly questions, but i am really interested
in Tops.

Thanks for any help any one can give.

J-girl

You do not have to go to the doctor until you get near your goal weight. I usually just tell ladies whenever they go for their yearly to get doc to write down what weight he would like them to be on a scritp or on a piece of paper that has his letterhead on. The sprescription pad is usually the easiest.
TOPS does have a book you can buy and there will be different info that you will get at the meetings
WW is a good organization also. It is mainly a weight loss group and TOPS is mostly a weight loss support group. At TOPS you use whatever plan works for you.
gotta run Go to the TOPS web site and you should get all your answers. www.tops.org

Hey gals,

Thanks for the information, I think I'll attend a meeting Wednesday night. I'm from a very small town so I'm not sure how exciting these meetings are, I remember my grandma when she was alive and she belonged to TOPS for years, she had a charm braclet filled with different charm rewards, 5lbs, 10lbs, goal etc, as well as badges.
I've head the meetings here aren't that exciting but any motivation and inspriration is better than none.

Today's also my weigh in day and I lost another 5lbs last week, I didn't think I was going to do so good, guess I'm doing something right. A total of 11lbs gone in 2 weeks yeeha!!!

Duckie, if you find the meetings aren't exciting, look for what you can do to make them more exciting (everyone will thank you!) There is no excuse for dry, boring meetings if everyone participates and brings something to the meetings - a poem, a funny cartoon, an old song with new words about losing weight, diet tips, etc.

Don't just sit back and let others entertain you.

I have personally found that participating in the meetings gives me incentive to lose, especially if there are contests going on.

Also, elections are being held in March and the people leading the group might be changing. I'm sure they would love some new ideas.

TOPS does have Chapter Programs that are sent to the leader every other month. There are a total of 100 of them and they go through a variety subjects, like, self esteem, fiber, sugar, sleep, motivation etc. Each chapter should have these available for ALL MEMBERS to use. Ask about them when you go to your chapter.

Good luck and welcome to TOPS

Hugs, Summer

Duckie, first off, CONGRATS on the 11 lb loss, that's awesome!
I am returning to TOPS on Wednesday night also. My mom and I haven't attended for awhile, but both of us know what's good for us, and that means TOPS. When I first joined my original chapter, it was about 5 "older" ladies who were rather set in their ways. However, I blew in like a breath of fresh air, they voted me in as leader, we placed announcements in the local paper and got more members and had a great time. Like Wild Rose said, you've got to volunteer to do programs, bring in a faveorite low impact exercise video, whatever! In 2000, I even reached KOPS (goal, Keep Off Pounds Sensibly) and attended International Recognition Days (IRD) in San Antonio Texas, what a blast! I shared a room with 3 online friends too, we hadn't met until then. TOPS pals are great pals. I am determined to regain my KOPS status this year, and I know meetings are an important part of it. I'll post about my meeting if you post about yours, how's that?

Kim, #UT 10, Midvale (Salt Lake City)

Well, my meeting went very well. I had heard from my coordinator that this chapter was looking to fold not too long ago, but it was revived and busy tonight! I weighed in at 7 lbs MORE than my scale at home (I've GOT to throw that thing out), but I figure it will only get better after this. We talked about the reasons we overeat and maybe why we do it and a bit about drinking your water. Most people are dehydrated and thirst can be confused with hunger as found in research studies. We are going to have elections next week and I suspect that even though I am new to the chapter, I am going to be the new leader. I have done it before and told them I was willing to be nominated for an office and their eyes lit up I am looking forward to it. Take Care everyone, hope all is well!

Good for you WalkRacer for volunteering to let your name stand for office in your TOPS chapter! We all rejoice to find willing souls in our chapters.

It will be interesting to see what happens in our chapter on Tuesday night, with elections. We have about 20 members, but usually only 10-15 who are regular attenders. Of those, maybe 5 or 6 who are willing to do something. I have been Treasurer for the past year and am willing to stay another year. For those who are new, each position can only be filled for 2 years by the same person, so there is regular turnover and change.

Two years ago at election time, new executive were elected and they looked like a great group. (I had to quit TOPS at that time because of work stress so I heard about this afterwards.) I was told that within 6 months they had all quit, and a new executive had to take over in the middle of the year. They had lost almost all their members by that time (lack of interest by the leaders will do that!!) and they said all 5 people who were still attending took the 5 executive positions. How's that for determination?! They built the group back to its present size.

Good luck to everyone running for positions in this coming year.