I was wondering if the TOPS pledge now is the same as the one that they had 5 years ago?

I could swear the line that they have about 'though I eat in private, the excess poundage is there for the world to see' (or something like that, paraphrased heavily) used to be something brutal, like 'shame' in the place of 'excess poundage'.

The reason I'm remembering this is whatever pledge my TOPS group said, after 2 weeks I quit going because I disagreed with the pledge. I was thinking of rejoining a group here, and remembered the pledge issue so I looked it up. Has it really changed?

(P.S. And I have to say, as my first time posting here in enough years to totally forget my longer, I'm easily amused. Right here under the text area I'm typing in, as part of the web page, are two links labeled 'Increase Size' and 'Decrease Size'. I hit the 'Decrease Size' button but I'm still just as big, alas, and here I was so hopeful! )

Yes, I heard that it changed. They reworded some of it, and eliminated a line referring to "how stupid I've been" or something. I like the newer version.

About 20 years ago I went to a TOPS meeting. At that time, they would honk a horn for every pound you gained, and ring a bell for every pound you lost. Thankfully, they don't do that anymore (at least in my group). It's good to know TOPS is keeping up with the times.

LOL ... the Decrease Size button ...

Here's what I understand to be the current Tops Pledge:

I am an intelligent person. I will control my emotions, not let my emotions control me. Every time I am tempted to use food to satisfy my frustrated desires, build up my injured ego, or dull my senses, I will remember, even though I overeat in private, my excess poundage is there for all the world to see. I will Take Off Pounds Sensibly.

The last line use to be "How foolish I have been" The new "I will take off pounds sensibly" is a more positive statement

Members of my groups have a problem with our closing pledge thingy (Helping Hands, I think it's called). I'm not sure if you all do the same one? It goes:

You take my hand, and I'll take yours,
And we'll start out today,
For a helping hand is what we need,
to help us on our way.
The way to goal, a lonely road, we need someone to care.
Reach out, my friend, and take my hand, and then we're almost there!

They think the line "the way to goal, a lonely road, we need someone to care" is too negative, so we'll either be changing it or using a new closing all together. I keep saying "they" because I think it is honest and true and shows that TOPS friends are there to take your hand, so I don't think it's too negative at all.

Jilly we use the closing pledge... I give to you a Helping hand to steady you when you stall, to lift you up when you are down, to encourage you when you stall, I cannot do it all for you, only you can lose that weight.. but I will be there for you before it is to late.. and when atlast you reach your goal and become an honored Kops, I will applaud for you, and give the credit to Tops.. thats without looking, some words could be different....In our group, we dont even require a person to fess up to how many lbs you gained, and weigh ins are private... sometimes there is noise from excitement when someone has a great loss......

Maybe you could change that one line from The way to goal, a lonely road, we need someone to care to something like, "the way to goal, a challenging road, we'll help each other there" or something. I'm no poet, but the original does sound somewhat desperate.

Indiacatz, your group has a cool one!