Hi ladies sorrey I haven't been on line all week. My dad was very sick and passed away on Saturday. It's been hard week. My TOPS friends have all been really suportive. I think I've even lost some weight but thats not where my head is at right now. I hope everyone is doing good and haveing fun. I'll be back in the swing of things in a week or so. There is just a lot going on.

My deepest condolences, I am glad that your group is supportive not only in weight loss but in life in general. This is what true support is.

Elva

I'm so sorry gggbdomino. Was he very sick before? I know what it is like to go through the loss of a parent. Plus my surviving parent is very sick and now in a nursing home unable to walk, but doing somewhat better health wise.

I know it is hard to focus on anything at this point, I think the one thing that kept me going after the loss of my mother was remembering the good times and the laughter she had. My thoughts are with you.

sounds good to me, let's start chattering. What do you want to chatter about?

My TOPS group meets tonight. I couldn't go last week because of being out of town dealing with things with my father, but I hope to get there tonight.

quilt--hope you made it to your meeting! I started a chat thread here since I found out this one is primarily for people who have questions about TOPS: http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=81410

Hi to everyone,
My name is Nancy and i am on my third time going to TOPS. I was sucessful the last two times but quit and gained my weight back. I will being staying this time. Anyway, my daughter and I are doing it together this time(she is 11). We started Jan. 3rd and she has lost 23 and i have lost 55. I am the new leader. I would love to have ideas from anyone about what kind of games or programs or anything to do with my TOPS club to keep them motivated. We are also hosting the Fall Rally in Sept. and i could use ideas for that too.

Thank you,
Nancy

Hi Nancy, Welcome to the board. Try looking under "motivation to lose" for good ideas. Congratulations on your weight loss. You are doing great.

Hello everyone,
Well my 11 year old daughter and I go and face the scales tonight. Wish us luck. I went to Kmart the other day and tried on a pair of jeans that were a size smaller than what i wear. I could get them on and buttin them and almost zip them up. That really motivated me. I will keep eating right and exercise more and go back in two weeks to see if I can get into them.

Good luck to everyone who has TOPS this week. See you lighter

Nancy

Hello:

My name is Marie. I've been lurking around on several of the boards and am trying to figure out a program that I can do that I can stick with. In the past I've done Weight Watchers, Atkins, Rice Diet, Slimfast, Somersize Diet and countless of others. All work to some degree. Weight Watchers seemed to be the easiest to stick with but I lost more weight when I did Atkins, but it was harder to stick with long term. Anyway, I'd like to know more about those who have had success with TOPS. Also, has anyone done both Weight Watchers and TOPS? If so which do you prefer and why.

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Marie

Hello Nance and Marie... Welcome to the Tops boards... I do know people that have done both Tops and WW at the same time.. Not sure why they choose to do that, but I know they like our group as an informal support group... To really sit and talk about whats going on.... We have a lots of very successful members in our group... last year we had two lose over 50 lb each and on their way down to Kops... I think working my way to Kops is the carrot dangling in front of my face.. .I really want to get there... so that is great motivation for me....
I am a new leader this year also.. there are Tops links on Tops.Org with games and programs ... just search the site...

Hello all! I just wanted to add about TOPS that I am a 19 yr member with a weight loss of just over 100 pounds to goal, have been at goal (KOPS) for almost 14 yrs. So yes, if you work the program... which mainly means have a plan of some type that you can live with long term. TOPS is about lifestyle change thru the magic formula of eat less and exercise more for life. Any good plan that teaches you to change your lifestyle will work, TOPS is the best in my opinion! For those just starting out, the main thing is 'just don't give up'! You are never a failure till you stop trying. Remember the phrase "Nothing tastes as good as THIN feels!!" hugzz, Shirlee

when you do join, do you have to bring in something from your doctor stating your goal weight? me and my doc disagree on my goal weight .. i say 150 is good for me i am 5'6 with a large frame.. he thinks 160

You could go with your Dr's recomendation of 160 and then once you reach that goal and you feel like you want to go further and your Dr. agrees you can lower it then.

Lyn

I believe I read in the rules that the doc slip just needs to be signed before you reach goal... For me, I am 5'3 and the doc said 150.. but I t hink 145 would be better... but I am 57 y rs old too....Maybe your doc would agree to a lower weight once you get closer to your goal....