Hi everyone! Weigh in last night -- I lost 2 1/4 pounds, so that felt good, as I have been struggling all summer. For me, it was back to the basics: keeping a food journal, drinking my 8 glasses (plus) of water, and exercise. I have been walking. Did 3 hours and 25 minutes total last week.
We had our TOPS meeting last night with 14 members in attendance. During the summer once we had 3, so 14 feels like a roomfull!! We also have 2 new members and that always give the group a lift. I sent a letter, along with a newsletter and the new contest and rules to everyone in the group. The letter was encouraging everyone to get back to us this fall. I think it helped.
We started a new TOPS BINGO contest last week. I made it up out of things we need to be doing in order to lose weight: exercise, water, food journal, getting involved in our chapter with things like attendance, bringing in a lowfat recipe or tip, doing the TOPS program, and writing a note to a TOPS Pal. The middle square, rather than being FREE, is the hardest: being the best loser of the week. For those who can't happen to manage that, they can exchange 4 consecutive losses for that square. In our case, each of the Bingo cards is exactly the same, so everyone has to do all the same things. I made it possible to have a line filled per week, so the contest can be completed in 5 weeks for a blackout. I had 2 people last night (besides me - I am doing it for the weight loss results and to be a good example to the group) who finished a line, so they each got a small prize. I also have a prize for the first blackout. I also told them last night that anyone who gets a blackout before Christmas can choose a charm. I am hoping that will encourage them all to work at finishing it.
If anyone is interested in the exact contest and rules, you can email me with your address and I will send a copy. My email address is
[email protected]
Hope everyone is doing good today. Keeping on program. And whatever you do, don't quit.