Hello,
Tonight is my weighin night at TOPS. I think those scales will be down. I'm going out to lunch with a friend today and I've already told her that I'm not having a heavy lunch because today is a weighin day and I know that I have to be careful what I eat at lunch because I've gone out to lunch before and I knew that I would be down on those scales and then I ate something that had me holding water or something and had a .25 lb gain. I'm not letting that happen this time! Our new TOPS contest starts tonight and I want to start out strong.

I got a call for the interview I've been wanting. It's set up for next Tuesday. I'm excited about it and I'm ready to go out there and show them just how much they need me in that position.

I've got my photo shoot scheduled for Saturday @ 2:30. I'm sort of looking forward to it.

I've got to run. How's everyone doing? Post up!!
Susie

Have a great weigh-in!

Excellent on the interview! What position are you interviewing for?

Photo shoot? Fun! Is it a family portrait, an "after" picture, or something else?

I have the same questions as above, hehehe

I also wanted to know about your TOPS meetings...I just started going and it's a group of sweet "ol' biddies" (that's what they called themselves) and honestly, I have been to 2 meetings and the entire meetings, not a thing about healthy eating, exercise or fitness was brought up! They all seem to get together to socialize and it's not about losing weight at all I am trying to not get discouraged and I'm going to keep going, but it's just kinda a drag when no one is serious about weight loss they are all such sweet ladies and very friendly but I wish they would focus a bit more!

Anyway, I am keeping myself from baking bread by reading and posting here, so that's a "thin thought" I suppose

Hey Yogini, i feel the same way about the meetings too. I started a few weeks ago, and find that their is no real help, just socializing amongst themselves, nothing is organized, and i find it to be slightly silly and redundant. But i am still going----mainly for the weigh-in. Not sure how much i will do this for, i am not getting anything out of it, but will give it a little more time. On another note, i am trying turkey chili tonight, and hopefully my husband will like it as well as me. lol.......hugs to all who struggle with their inner skinny-chick like myself

Yogini- My group is the same way too .....BUT when you start losing weight and they see it, it kinda reminds them what they are really there for Keep up the good work and maybe you are just the fresh breath they need to get motivated again

kuchiegrl1- turkey chili???? yum yum Hope you will hang in with your group, like I said to Yogini...you may just be what the Dr, ordered to get it back into shape there

Susie- Hope weigh in went well

Thanks Christian; I know you are right- I will stick with it and hopefully inspire them to lose right along with me

Kuchie and Christian, it's good to know others relate! Why do you think TOPS is like this? (unfocused/unorganized etc.) Probably because it's run by volunteers, right? Anyway, I'm sticking with it for now, the weigh-in is good for me and it's exciting to actually lose even if I am the only one who doesn't "turtle" or gain! I hope I *can* motivate the other ladies

Hi,
I want to answer the questions you asked. The photos are for my Area Captian press releases.

The position I'm interviewing for is for an Administrative Assistant to the Pres. of a bank. I think I would really like that position.

OK..about the TOPS meetings. Christian is correct in saying that when others in the group see you loosing it inspires them.

My group was much like you described. I didn't like it, so I began to implement some small changes. I talked with the ladies that I would sit beside and turn the conversation towards weightloss talk. I also volunteered to lead a program. I just kept talking TOPS up and finally got everyone excited again about loosing weight and focusing on why we are truly there.

Remember, if it's to be, it's up to me.

If you try those things and they don't work, I would suggest you contact your Area Captain or Coordinator. If you don't know who they are go to www.tops.org and put in your zip code. It will have a list of meeting in your area, find your meeting, click on the link and it will give you an email to them. They might need to make a chapter visit and see what's going on there.

TOPS is about friendship and support, but it's focus is to use those things to motivate others to loose weight and become healthy.

I hope that helps!

TOPS Hug
Susie

Susie.... I agree, I do the same thing with our ladies... just try to keep the conversation around the issues of weight loss.. I do know that when I am losing good, you cant hear a pin drop when I announce my losses, I feel bad when I let them down..... They really are a sweet bunch of ladies.... India

Hey India (Barb) - Am I one of those "sweet ole ladies??!" Just kidding...I still consider my self Middle Aged and intend to stay that way for a while.

Good to see all of the posts here. Keeps me focused, too. We have 4 KOPs in our TOPs group and I think that helps, too. When they get up to say their pledge every week, I know it gets me to think how much I want to be there. I agree that the TOPs group is what YOU make it. I find that when I sign up to do a "therapy" that it motivates others to do it too. A therapy can be just bringing in samples of a low fat/low carb recipe to share. I think there needs to be a balance between support, learning and socializing.

Ok, I'll get off my soap box now. I'm having a good week. Have kept below 1800 cals/day and have exercised all but one day. The weather is supposed to be warm tomorrow - so more yard work.

Lyn....I didnt say sweet OLD ladies did I??? I am closer to 60 than I want to be so guess I am one of the sweet ole ladies myself.. .hehe

I'll do just that! What is the "protocol" for contributing? I am not familiar with the TOPS terms that are being used. Is it customary to have a "Program" (offering of info) each week?

MyChoice2Bfit, thanks for all your info. I am going to call the area captain.

I relate to what a lot of you are sharing- when I lost 6.5 pnds the ladies gasped and started clapping! It felt so good When the meeting was over, one 86 year old lady came up to me, patted my arm and said- "Keep it up! Maybe you'll carry the group and get us all on track." So I feel the support/pressure to continue to lose

Yogini,
I beleive that each chapter should have a short program each week. TOPS has many printed programs to choose on from all sorts of topics. Your leader should have them. If not, ask your Area Captain or Coordinator.

I believe you will be turing your chapter around and heading in the right direction soon; everyone will benefit from this as the weight will start coming off.

Do you get your TOPS magazine in the mail? That also has a lot of information in it that you could talk about at your meetings.

I believe in your abilities and I believe that you will someday, because you have the right attitude you will become a KOPS.
Susie

HI.. we call a program, a Therapy... one and same.... we were so busy getting ready for the fall rally, its been about 3-4 meetings since we had a real topic discussion, will have to get back to work for the holiday season coming, maybe do a program on surviving holiday foods and strategy.... For a recipe kind of program, there is no real format, it just needs to be good all around food.. for example, a lady did a program on fiber... and brought in some delicious bran muffins.... I did one on flax.. one girl did show and I did tell.. all the benefits from flax, Joan brought in her grinder and we had yogurt sundaes ( blueberry) sprinkled with flax.... IM just chillin and trying to get feeling better... going to lay low and read .... later, India

There are some really good ideas here! I never thought about bringing a recipe and a food sample to a meeting! That's a good idea.