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VIRGINIA 2009 ROYALTY
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2009 Virginia State King LeRoy Snellings TOPS #VA 429, Fredericksburg 41.25 loss My problem is the food I really like is not good for me. When I got married I weighed 128 lbs. So how did I get to 230? I ate what I wanted, when I wanted. There’s no one else I can blame. The TOPS book says it all: “THE CHOICE IS MINE”: Obviously, I made a lot of bad choices over the years! My wife was a member of TOPS and I had promised her that when I retired I would join. I enjoyed the meetings but I still ate everything I liked from Friday to Tuesday; cutting back Tuesday night and all day Wednesday. Yes, we meet on Thursday morning. This sort of worked for a while; losing one week, gaining the next. Then my doctor told me that I was a borderline diabetic with high blood pressure and cholesterol. I needed to lose weight and exercise. Many times in my life things happened that I did not plan for, but I have the choice to control how I respond to them. I have often let circumstances dictate how I act, which causes me to sometimes want to give up. I am lazy and want things to happen right now and with not a lot of work on my part. Well, weight loss and exercise IS hard work because you have to learn to do things differently. It does not end after a few weight losses or when you reach KOPS. You must realize that losing and keeping weight off is on-going. When you give up trying to lose weight, you have not lost just one small battle, you’ve lost the whole war. Each time you slip up, you have to start fighting again - immediately. The TOPS programs each week were very helpful; emphasizing the need to eat right and exercise. But I could have gotten this by reading the available TOPS material. What really makes the difference is, the encouragement of the members. Each week I set my goal to lose 1/2 pound. I could not focus on 50 pounds but a1/2 pound was realistic. I didn’t always reach my goal but everyone kept saying, “You can do it. Don’t quit.” Finally I reached my goal and became a KOPS. My diet and exercise will keep me away from diabetic pills, and my cholesterol is in the good range. I am working on getting my blood pressure down. I feel great and owe it all to my wife and TOPS VA 0429 Fredericksburg. Thank you all and remember "THE CHOICE IS MINE & YOURS TOO."
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2009 Virginia State Queen Patricia "Patti" Wood TOPS #VA 484, Verona 125.25 loss In January of last year my doctor told me I had congestive heart failure, high blood pressure and I needed a knee replacement. Then he said because of my age and weight I would probably need a new knee every 7 years and by age 60 I would be in a wheel chair unable to walk. That same day I received an invitation from Peggy to come back to TOPS VA 484Verona. When I walked into the meeting room I saw a poster of a Clock holding a sign "It's My Time". At that very moment something clicked, "I had been taking care of everyone else and it was now time to take care of myself." I started walking but 1/2 way around the track, I had to quit. I kept walking, sometimes 3 times a day, until I could walk 4 times(a mile) around the track. I also used my exercise bike, the treadmill and weights for strength training. Every day I had 5 small meals, never skipping a meal but nothing after 5:00pm. I have my own special plate to help me control my portions. My entire family, my husband and four children, has learned to eat and love healthy, well-balanced meals. My son recently told me, "Mom, I didn't think I would ever see you small again. I am so proud of you." and he gave me a hug. My doctor has monitored my progress and lowered my goal two times. I just need to be at a healthy weight that I can stay with. It is exciting to be a KOPS. Oh yes, the congestive heart failure is gone, my blood pressure is good and my knees are carrying a lot less weight these days.
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