[Vibeke]

Since then I've quit to "do it on my own", unfortunately I haven't lost anything in the two months since I quit. I would like to go back but I don't care for my leader too much and most of the ladies there meet for the social aspect, not the weight loss aspect. Perhaps I should find another chapter.

Anyway, this is my first post here at 3fatchicks. I'm a single mother of three young boys and I'm trying to lose weight for my health. I started out at 211 lbs last September and now I'm holding steady at 178 lbs. My goal from my doctor is 155 lbs, but I would prefer to get down to 150 lbs.

[lynard21]

Hi Vibeke,

Wecome!! I'm sorry you local TOPs was a disapointment for you. However, you certainly did well there...you seem well on your way to goal. Congratulations!

I have been a member of our local TOPs for about 7 years, and have managed to get to my goal, left for a while, gained my weight back and more and have now been maintaining at about 30# above my goal for 3 years. I just joined this on-line support group two weeks ago and have mnaged to lose 6 pounds!! I have found it to be very supportive. Please continue to visit and let us know how your doing. We'd like to get to know you and hope you feel welcome here. Please fill out your bio so that we can get to know you better. It is located in the "sticky" section of this forum. Just copy and paste and add in your information. Have fun reading the bios already posted.

[Indiacatz]

Welcome.. I cant add anything to what Lyn told you but try looking for another chapter near you.... and good luck in your weight loss journey... India

[Yogini]

I just joined TOPS and found that the group of sweet grannies really don;t lose weight, they commiserate really they like to get together to socialize and it's sweet, but I am thinking of starting my own group. I hope you find the support you need here (there are so many helpful and kind people here) and keep up the good work! You have kept your weight off and that is AMAZING!

[phantastica]

Ditto to Yogini ... you've managed to keep that weight off! That is a huge success, IMO.

I'm not sure how big your community is (or how far you're willing to drive), but I've found several TOPS groups in my area (western suburb of Minneapolis), and they're all within driving distance. Hopefully you can find another group.

I've heard that some TOPS groups are primarily older women, and that some don't seem to focus on the weight loss aspect at all. I've even heard horror stories about TOPS groups going to Baker's Square after their group! Not that you can't make healthy choices at Baker's Square, but I think a walk or something would be more in the spirit of TOPS.

The thing I like best about TOPS is that it's inexpensive (thus long-term membership is much more feasible than, say, WW or LA Weight Loss), and it's not as strict as Overeaters Anonymous/HOW. My group is a pretty good mix of people, but most of them don't lose weight that quickly, and we have no KOPS members in our group. Perhaps I shall be the first!

[Yogini]

Originally Posted by phantastica

I've heard that some TOPS groups are primarily older women, and that some don't seem to focus on the weight loss aspect at all. I've even heard horror stories about TOPS groups going to Baker's Square after their group! Not that you can't make healthy choices at Baker's Square, but I think a walk or something would be more in the spirit of TOPS.

The thing I like best about TOPS is that it's inexpensive (thus long-term membership is much more feasible than, say, WW or LA Weight Loss), and it's not as strict as Overeaters Anonymous/HOW. My group is a pretty good mix of people, but most of them don't lose weight that quickly, and we have no KOPS members in our group. Perhaps I shall be the first!

After each meeting, the ladies go out to Tio Leo's or Mimi's or Marie Calendar's :eek!:

There is one KOPS member but the whole group is consistently "in the red" and gains more than they lose. I really wish I could create my own TOPS group!

[MyChoice2bfit]

Hello Vibeke,
I want to congratulate you your loss and the fact that you have for the most back maintained it. It shows that you have learned how to make lifestyle changes and will be successful at keeping your weight off. You know what it takes.

For those of you who are interested in starting your own chapter you only need 4 people to do that. You can contact your Area Captain about that. If you don't know who that is, go to www.tops.org and put in your zip code, it will show you were meetings are in your areas and there should also be a link to email your Area Captain.

TOPS is wonderful for support and it's affordable and we all know those are two very important things in our plans to loose our weight.

Good luck and I hope to see you around here a lot!
Susie