[flower]

I have been playing w/ the idea of attending a tops meeting. I just would like an overview of what a meeting is like for you all. I am doing the Richard Simmon's food mover and when I stay op, I lose. Just staying on track and in the mood is another story. I thought maybe if I had some local support, it would make all the difference. Yes, the internet is great, but so is face to face contact. Plus right now, I feel like being a mom is all I have going on. I need some adult company occasionally! flower 190/178/130

[Eleni]

Here is some info I posted some time ago.I probably need to post it more often.

What will I find in a TOPSŪ chapter meeting?
TOPSŪ meetings, which are held weekly, begin with a confidential weigh-in. Once weights are recorded, a program is presented. It varies from chapter to chapter, but is always aimed in some way to help members achieve their goals. Often, your leader or another member will present these programs. At times, physicians, nutritionists, psychologists or other experts volunteer to speak. Your meeting is a time for you to share your weight loss successes and challenges without feeling uncomfortable. Your fellow members are there to support you. From this fellowship and sharing come suggestions on how to do better. You'll receive recognition when you do so and encouragement when you need it.
How is TOPSŪ different from other weight loss organizations?
TOPS is nonprofit and noncommercial. We do not sell, promote, or endorse any products. Your doctor provides your eating and exercise plan. Your leader is a volunteer. He or she is a member just like yourself. Your chapter is as unique as the individuals in it. We provide the support, encouragement and educational opportunities you need to make healthy, permanent lifestyle changes. Fellow members are there for you not just during your meeting, but anytime. Cards, calls, and a reassuring hand of friendship are extended to you whenever you need them. We care about your health and our name explains why. We want you to Take Off Pounds Sensibly.
What does it cost to join TOPS Ū?
Annual membership is just $20 in the United States, $25 in Canada. This includes a monthly magazine delivered to your home. Local dues are set by each chapter to cover expenses and are normally less than $5 per month.
What do I get for my membership fee?
The most important benefits are the support and encouragement you get from other members, but you'll also receive our monthly magazine delivered to your door. It's filled with inspirational stories, delicious recipes and news from TOPS chapters around the world. There are lots of TOPS sponsored activities you can get involved in too.
Do I have to follow a special diet?
Your personal physician is the one most familiar with your medical history. Therefore all TOPS members receive their food and exercise plans as well as goal weights from their own doctors. TOPS does recommend the standard exchange diet. TOPS publishes a healthy lifestyle guide called "The Choice Is Yours" which includes a full description of how to work this plan. If your doctor approves the exchange diet, you'll find lots of useful information in this low-cost book.
Will I be told how much weight to lose?
That is between you and your personal physician. However you measure success and whatever you have to lose, TOPS is Here For You!
Can you guarantee I'll lose weight?
There are no quick fixes or phony guarantees at TOPS. Losing weight is up to you. But, while you're working on it, we can provide incentives, lively meetings and materials to keep you going. You can join us at motivational rallies, attend different workshops, even go on special retreats.
What about after I lose weight?
Members who reach their goal weight become honored KOPSŪ members (Keep Off Pounds Sensibly). Staying at goal weight can be a challenging too, so our meetings provide information and support for members at this level too.
How do I join TOPSŪ?
Simply attend one of the meetings in your area. There are almost 11,000 meetings around the world. Your first visit is free and you are under no obligation to join. Bring a friend if you like. If you decide to join, a TOPS member will help you fill out the simple application form at the meeting.
Hope this answered a lot of questions for our new people.




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It does not matter how slow you go,as long as you do not stop.
Eleni
315/285/140

[redhen]

Flower,

I went to my very first meeting tonight-and like you, wondered what it would be like. I had tried weight watchers-and never really felt like it was the group for me. but at TOPS-boy-the very first minute I felt like here was a group of people that could support me through just about anything. They are very friendly-i should say, extremely friendly!! Oh, there are a few things that i'd probably leave out if i were inventing a diet support group-like pledgeing the flag-do all groups do this? I mean, it was fine-i just thought it was a bit odd for a diet group to recite the pledge of alliegence to the flag. But the group of people were from every walk of life-rich, poor, smart, not so smart, an extremely diverse group-which i really like in a group. they do some TOPS pledges together-and that part was pretty interesting-everyone that had lost stood up and told the amount-and everyone that gained also stood up and confessed. I tried to imagine what that would be like for myself-but each person that told on themselves also got a hearty "next week" as if to say that next week would be better. that part sort of holds your feet to the fire-which is good for me. but-that part is not mandatory-at least i don't think it was-it was only if you wanted to. everyone is a volunteer-no paid positions i don't think-maybe the official weight taker-but the officers are all volunteers. the cost is amazing-$1.50 a month!! they have silly incentives and songs to sing, and games to challenge you for the week. my group divides everyone into sections and those sections compete for little prizes. everyone wears a sash, or vest with about a million pins, ribbons, decals-all kinds of prizes for doing a good job-sort of a fat persons scouts sash. anyways-bottom line-it was fun. and there is nothing as unfun as dieting is to me. so if this group of people is willing to support me in loosing weight-i'll say the pledge with them every week-and more power to them. redhen

[Dimples]

I just joined in November and have a very supportive group too. I am in Canada and we don't do the allegiance to the flag but we do the TOPS pledge. I actually thought the pledge was silly when I started but now I keep thinking about it and it helps me away from the meeting. We also all tell our weight lost or gained and if someone gains everyone says "We're here for you ________(and says their name). I know I wouldn't have kept up trying to lose weight if I hadn't joined TOPS.

Redhen.....glad to hear you had a good meeting and enjoyed it. Sounds like you have a good chapter.



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288/221.25/165

[MAGirl36]

In our meetings if someones gains we say "Next week ___________(their name).

Only my 3rd meeting and still not sure what "turtle" means. They say it in place of saying the stayed at the same weight. I'm guess it's cuz a turtle moves slowing or not all on its back???

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~~Taking Off Pounds Sensibly~~

[lady06498]

Hi Magirl,

Turtle means to stay the same weight or maintain your weight.

I have a great group of people in my group also. I am also glad that I joined. It has kept me going to keep losing.

We just say the tops pledge. We don't say the pledge of allegiance either.

Sherri

[TkMagic]

At our meetings, if someone gains, we say "We're glad you're here." I kind of like that, because we're being told that it doesn't matter what happens, the support is still there, and that's what I need the meetings for, the support. I've dieted for all of my adult life, so I know what I need to do. I know what to eat, what not to eat, that I need to exercise, drink water, etc., etc. But I need that support of others going through the same problems, and the knowledge that I'll be accountable to someone else seeing my weight on the scale each week.

We say the TOPS pledge at every meeting. At first I thought it was really silly. Then a KOPS member mentioned how it was one of the main things that helped her keep going. That's when I started thinking about what it said and how it really did apply to me. I don't know it by heart yet, but I've pulled out my weight book and read it a few times to myself between meetings. It's a nice little reminder.

The cost for our meetings is $3 monthly dues and a $1.25 at each meeting. A $1 goes to the treasury and a quarter is one of our incentive prizes. Everyone also brings a piece of fruit or other lo-cal item. The person who loses the most weight each week wins the fruit basket. Then if that person loses the next week or stays the same, she wins the quarters brought that night. If not, they go to the treasury. Our leader also brings a fun prize. And there is a "traveling prize" to be won at each meeting. No one can win a prize unless they either lost weight or stayed the same.

We always have fun at the meetings and come home inspired to keep going. Everyone is a volunteer, so they are there because they want to be. I really think that makes a difference. I like the fact that anyone can sit in on a meeting to see if they like it before joining. We haven't had any visitors since I joined who did not join. So I guess they must've liked what they saw. I encourage anyone who is thinking aobut it, at least try one meeting.

Tami

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One day at a time.

[ciecie]

WELCOME FLOWER! TOPS IS GREAT! The chapter I belong to is a small but supportive chapter.