[MinnesotaLyn]

Hi everyone. I've been "dieting" since the middle of July. I've been doing Weight Watchers At Home, but IMHO, it doesn't teach enough about nutrition. So..I'm slowly switching over to exchanges, or incorporating them in what I'm doing.

Anyway, I just found out we have TOPS here in my very small town. Can someone tell me what a meeting is like? I do not attend WW meetings because of the cost. I have heard tops is much cheaper, dollars a month as opposed to $40+. What are the meetings like? How much do I have to participate? Do I have to present things? Do I have to share my weight? It's not a problem, but I like to know in advance what's going on.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Lyn

[FLgal]

Hi Minnesotalyn

Tops is a non-profit weight loss support group. The cost is $20 yearly for national plus up to $5 a month. The monthly dues goes to pay rent and buy awards, etc. There is more information in another post which I will bring up for you. It is a group of people who all have problems with losing weight. You do not have to tell your weight, but we have roll call and you stand up and say how much you lost or gained. This is not a problem for most people because everyone has losses and gains. We have contests, prizes for best losers, awards for losses, etc. And we have programs on good nutrition, exercise, motivation.
There is much more as you can read in the other post.
Hope this helps.

[MinnesotaLyn]

Thank you very much for bringing the post up. I think I will try a meeting. I started July 16, have lost 27.5 pounds all on my own, but I think that a meeting that I can afford to attend will be wonderful!

Lyn

[CBabe]

HI LYN,

We hope you join our international group of TOPS PALS .Its a great support group which can aid us and motivate us to reach our goals...I say Goals because I have more than one plateu to reach before I make it to goal...

I also like this posting board as its encouraging to see our friends cope with problems and celebrate each others successes.

I too am doing a modified WW plan while attending TOPS, but I thing the encouragement of the club, the friendly members and nutritional tips motivate me to keep going ,even when I hit a rough spot....

We are never failures unless we quit...


Your friend and PAL
CBABE

[Laura Fr: Canada]

TOPS reeally supports you when you need it, if you gain weight they are there for you and if you gain they are also there to give you that pat on the back you need! They were just what I needed and they relly aren't that expensive. I'm sure you'll be able to find a group because I live in a very small town and there are 2 TOPS clubs in my town
GOOD LUCK I'm sure you'll like it there

[merri24]

Hi Guys...

TOPS sounds like an awesome group.... Unfortunately I tried to see if there was a group near me and the closest one is 30 minutes away ... Then I found one near my work and it is only in the morning... is there someone I can contact to get one in my town??

Merri

[Eleni]

You can always start a new one in your town. Go to the web site and bring up chapters in your area and at end it should list the area co-ordinater. Get in touch with them and they will tell you what to do and how. The site is www.tops.org .
Or you can call the number they give and get info.
Good luck

[Eleni]

I just went to site and copied the following
For more information about a chapter in your area or to discuss any questions you may have, contact the TOPS representative listed after chapter meetings. If the representative's name is underlined, simply click on it to send an e-mail. It is easy to start your own chapter too. Only four people are needed. Ask the TOPS representative how to start one in your area.

[ciecie]

I also belong to a chapter that's in a small town. I joined in 1995. It was one of the best decisions I made that year. I've got about 30 pounds to lose before I reach my KOPS Status but my weight would be much higher if I had decided to ignore that poster advertising a TOPS Open House in that local mini market.