hi everyone. i am on the low carbing right now. i have been thinking of changing over to be able to go to tops and have the support group. i used to go to tops. i had a few issues that i never came back to tops. how do your meetings go now. when i went if you gained they made you wear a dunce cap. pretty embarrashing to me. i gaine 5 lbs one week and they told me i had to wear that cap ,so i left and never looked back. i do believe tops is a good program . are they run any better than the early 80'sh. sue
Yes, TOPS has made a lot of changes since then. Our chapter does not do anything to embarrass anyone. If they gain weight, we just say "we're glad you came". If members are embarrassed to say how much they gained at roll call, they just say, "I had a gain". No one asks how much. Also there are a lot of new people at headquarters and they have made changes in the national rules, too. You can go to www.tops.org and learn a lot about it.
Sue, I forgot to say earlier that in TOPS you can use whatever diet you like.
Some of our members are low carbers, some on Atkins, some South Beach. As Penny stated, you can visit and see if you like it and if there are more than one in your area, check them all out to see which you like best.
How wonderful to hear TOPS has made changes! It has been years and I felt bad when I went because on the one hand the group I visited was so nice they were having a fund raiser for a local charity and seemed like a happy bunch...but the other hand the announcing of weight gained and the almost punitive responses and that cap horrified me!!! I would have lied to avoid that!!!...well I am happy to hear that like everything else TOPS has evolved!....thanks for the update I may have to check it out again too!
Tops is indeed a great organization with plenty of flexibility built in..... Cant say that I am a model member but have comitted my self for a healthier life style in 2005 I need to lose a 100 lb and the whole idea scares me to death.... I will however, take it one day at a time and with support and determination, work towards my goals.... barb
Do give TOPS another try.We never do anything to embarrass. We do not require anyone to say how much they gained.If they gain we say "See you lighter,Glad you came" I have been a member a long time and altho I am far far far away from my goal I would never leave. Find a group you feel comfortable with
Hi, I just posted on another thread and realized it was an older thread. Just wanted
to say hello and to say I've been a member of tops for a long time. I've had my
ups and downs but wouldn't stop going to my meetings for anything. I'm contest
chairman and really enjoy doing them. I've also belonged to other weight support groups over the years but enjoy tops the most. Post later, hopefully lighter.
hilta
Hi:
I want to encourage you to go back to TOPS. My chapter has really been an encouragement for me. They have never embarrassed me in any way. To the contrary, they have been there cheering me on in my weight loss journey. I look forward every week to our meeting. I have gained a few times but, they have never told anyone how much or shamed me in any way. They have said "You'll do better" and I did. Give TOPS another try and I believe you will find that they will be there when you are weak and need a helping hand.
how is tops now
I need to lose a 100 lb and the whole idea scares me to death.... I will however, take it one day at a time and with support and determination, work towards my goals.... barb
