Richard Hawkins

They say that behind every successful man there is a woman.  Well, for my weight loss success, there are several special women.   First of all, when I told my wife Janice that I was thinking of joining TOPS®, she was very supportive and joined with me even though she has never had  weight problem.  AS we got more into the TOPS® program, Janice helped me calculate calories and keep an accurate food diary.  Having a supportive spouse is a big help in the weight loss battle.

The second woman that was extremely helpful was Bertha Gandee, Leader of TOPS#WV402, Ripley.  Bertha welcomed Janice and me to the chapter and made us feel right at home.  In the first meeting I attended (Jan. 22, 2008), she encouraged me to keep a food diary to get a handle on my calorie intake.  I started my diary the next morning and by the next weigh-in I had lost 7.4 lbs.  I was thrilled!  By the third week in TOPS®, I had lost over 14 pounds.

That's where the third woman that was a big help came through for me.  Cissy McNab, who operates the community fitness center in Ripley, WV decided to start a "Biggest Loser" contest based on the rules of the TV show of the same name.  My first thought was that if only she had started this contest three weeks sooner, I might have had a chance at winning the $250 first prize.  Well, between TOPS® weigh-ins on Tuesdays and Biggest Loser weigh-ins on Thursdays, I had double incentive to post good numbers.  In addition to the food diary and the resultant adjustment in portion size, I started going to the fitness center 6 days a week instead of the 3 days a week that I had been doing.  The competition of the contest plus the support and encouragement of my new TOPS® family was working.  I was losing about 3 pounds a week.

The fourth woman that helped was our daughter-in-law Jenny.  Our son David had talked me into getting an old corvette to fix up for her birthday as a surprise gift.  I had just started working on the car when I joined TOPS.  This "project" turned out to be the perfect distraction to keep me away from the TV after dinner, my most vulnerable time for snacking.  Jenny's birthday and the biggest loser contest both ended in April, so the timing was perfect.

By the middle of May, I won the biggest loser contest, became a KOPS® on May 15th and had delivered a beautiful white 1975 Corvette convertible to Jenny in Poplar Bluff, Missouri.  For the past year I have maintained my KOPS® status and found that I have increased energy levels for activities that my excess weight had kept me from.  I have been able to eliminate taking lipitor for high cholesterol and my blood pressure is perfect.  TOPS® has been wonderful and rewarding experience for me.

Thanks ladies.

Carolyn Spring

I have had a weight problem since I was in my teens.  Now I was almost 60 years old.  I knew I had to do something.  I had heard about TOPS® and thought about joining.   In January 2003, I read an ad in the local paper saying TOPS® was having an open house on Monday, January 13, 2003. I decided to try it.

I weighted in at 250.50 pounds.  I have had lots of ups and downs, but with the food programs, learning portion sizes and the help and encouragement of my friends and family, I began my journey.

I tried to attend every meeting.  In our meetings, we have a weekly program ad sometimes we do exercises.  Our chapter has different things to encourage everyone.  We have weekly best weight loss certificates, and I have received twenty first place certificates, fifteen second place and one third place.  We also have monthly best weight loss certificates.  I have received nine of them.

I enjoy Spring Fling and have been first place winner in Division 3 with a weight loss of 18.75 pounds.  I received first place winner in chapter Division 2 for 40 pounds lost.  Along the way I received two awards for starting in a lower division.  I have three perfect attendance awards and two for not missing more than two meetings.  I also have an award for starting ten pounds or more lighter, and an award for best winter weight loss.  All these things helped keep me on track.

Finally, on June 23, 2008 I became a KOPS®.  It took me 5 years, 5 months and 10 days to become a KOPS®, but i did it.  So can you.  My journey is not over, but now I know how to maintain my weight to stay healthy.  Thank you TOPS®!

Thanks to my leader and friends for all the encouragement and help.  I am also grateful for the support and encouragement of my family.

Thanks to all again,

Carolyn Spring

TOPS#WV457, Grafton

Robert Miller

My wife was already attending the TOPS® meetings, so I started going with her after my weight gradually kept going up and up.  I actually began going to TOPS® in February of 2001.  Our chapter had several KOPS® and some good losers which encouraged me.  I decided it was time to get the weight off.  on June 14, 2001, I met my goal by losing 32 pounds.  I was able to maintain my weight by cutting portions and eating more fruits and vegetables.  I kept my KOPS® status for more than three years.  In October of 2004, I decided that I was tired of going to the meetings and sort of lost interest.  I quit going to TOPS® and thought that I would try to "Do things on my own".  By August 2007, I had gained back more than 20 pounds.  It seems like I reverted to my old ways gradually.  A few more burgers, fires, soft drinks and it does not take long until the pounds come back.

TOPS#WV427, St. Albans meets in the mornings and that fit into our schedule better.  In August 2007, my wife and I joined TOPS® again.  We went on vacation about two weeks after we joined, so it took a while to get going on losing.  On April 29, 2008, I reached my goal once again.  It was nice to see the scales back where they should be at 188 pounds.

The TOPS® plan does work if we all will stick to it.  Portion control, keeping a diary sheet, attending meetings and eating well balanced meals are essential to our success.

Marguerette Sears

My name is Marguerette Sears.  I am 84 years old and I'm a KOPS®.

While living in Chicago, I joined TOPS® Club on September 23, 1968.  At that time I was over 200 pounds.  Things were certainly different back then.  If you gained weight, they presented you with a pig sign, you wore it around your neck and sat in the "pig row" of chairs, which was better known as the "pig pen".  Quite a shameful situation, which didn't seem to help you lose weight.

Thankfully,  by the time I moved to Bainbridge Island, WA in July 1980, this all changed.  Instead of shame, there was encouragement, nutrition and watching your fat intake.  This made for a happy experience.  I have may memories from the fun we had losing weight.  At this time, I would lose some and then gain it back again.  After two years, the chapter closed.  With another friend, we transferred to another chapter in the next town over.

My third chapter was located in Poulsbo, WA.  We didn't know anyone, but soon got acquainted.  There was singing, skits and lots of fun things to help you.  We worked on eating smaller portions and cutting down on fats.

In the year 2000, after my husband passed away, I moved to be close by my daughter.  My fourth TOPS® chapter was located in Huntington, WV.  I soon found out how friendly everyone is in WV.  I enjoy this chapter.  I have lost 48.50 pounds and have become a KOPS®.  We do so much.  We have had crafts, contests, gift boxes, grab bags, bingo and fruit baskets for the biggest monthly loser.  We have been taught to eat healthy foods.

Over the years, I have learned many helpful tips:

* Use a smaller plate

* Eat smaller portions

* Put your fork down between bites

* No second helpings

* Cut down on fats and sugar

* Eat plenty of vegetables and fruits

* Cut down on salt

* Drink plenty of water

* Only eat until you are full, never stuffed

* Eat three meals a day with small snacks between meals

 *Walking and exercise are important

At 84 years, this has helped me stay healthy and happy!  Always remember "WE WILL ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER . . ."