[jillybean720]

Wow, I am a dieting disaster lately! I skipped my TOPS meeting last week because I ended up working late plus there was bad weather heading in that night, our meeting for tonight was cancelled yesterday due to inclement weather, and I can't go next week because I am flying to CT on Thursday morning (and the closest CT chapter meets on Wednesdays, so I won't be up there in time to weigh-in there either).

Anyway, 3 weeks of no TOPS meetings has made me realize that I have definitely loosened the reigns on the dieting. I need that weekly accountability of stating whether or not I lost in a group of people. I was actually considering not renewing my membership in March because I don't really care for my group (they're really nice people, but I am 23 years old and am the youngest member by a landslide--last meeting, we actually had a conversation about everyone's different osteoporosis medications). Not only is age a factor (and, therefore, lifestyle), but most of the ladies in my group also don't have nearly as much to lose as me, so it's difficult to think that they really understand my issues in that respect, ya know? I think I will visit 2 other groups nearby to check them out (that's a good thing about living in a busy metro area--lots of chapters to choose from), and if I don't fit in with either of them, then I will go back to my old chapter out by my office (which means working late on Thursdays and not getting home till about 9:30pm). Girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do, right?

[Indiacatz]

Happy Holidays... I know how you feel, we all share busy lives and sometimes we just cant make the meeting.... I am going to try and " hold it down" during the holidays and not gain....Just dont give up, maybe call it a temporary sabbatical....

I also understand most of the younger people might not have the same life issues as older women and yeah, we discuss meds sometimes .. sorry about that.... I am in my late 50s myself and have health issues due to not taking care of myself when I was a young woman, osteoarthritis for one. Getting the weight off will certainly be better for our joints. Do try to find a Tops group you like better. I think the core of our group is mostly over 40s .. we have several younger women and I like the wonderful energy they give the group..No matter how much weight we have to lose, we are in this together.. so hang in there .... India

[Owensgram]

I read your post about being the youngest person in your group and really not identifying with the older members.

Our group has about 20 members, and the youngest one, who is about 30, was just transferred to Texas. The rest of us go anywhere from 40 to 80.

I do think you can learn a lot about the program from the members who have been there a while. However, friendship and mutual interests do help to keep you coming back to your meetings on a regular basis. It may be wise for you to look at a couple of other groups in your area. In fact, why don't you contact your area captain as see if she can give you an idea which of the groups near you has a few more members closer to you in age.

If you do decide to go to a new group, though, you should be honest with your officers about why you have made the decision to leave. Groups are struggling to find new members, and they need to know how the group appears to those who haven't been there for years on end. You would probably be doing them a big favor.

[Owensgram]

Originally Posted by Owensgram

I read your post about being the youngest person in your group and really not identifying with the older members.

Our group has about 20 members, and the youngest one, who is about 30, was just transferred to Texas. The rest of us go anywhere from 40 to 80.

I do think you can learn a lot about the program from the members who have been there a while. However, friendship and mutual interests do help to keep you coming back to your meetings on a regular basis. It may be wise for you to look at a couple of other groups in your area. In fact, why don't you contact your area captain as see if she can give you an idea which of the groups near you has a few more members closer to you in age.

If you do decide to go to a new group, though, you should be honest with your officers about why you have made the decision to leave. Groups are struggling to find new members, and they need to know how the group appears to those who haven't been there for years on end. You would probably be doing them a big favor.