News

April 25, 2010

Losers are winners

TOPS members who took off pounds sensibly honored at group’s state conference.

By Matt Hughes mhughes@timesleader.com
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WILKES-BARRE – More than 650 members of Taking Off Pounds Sensibly gathered this weekend to honor Pennsylvania’s “biggest losers.”

TOPS, an international nonprofit organization that provides support to those seeking to lose pounds and maintain a healthy weight, held its state conference at the Best Western Genetti Hotel and Conference Center Friday and Saturday.

Activities at the conference included workshops, award presentations honoring division and state weight loss winners, recognition of “century club” members who have lost more than 100 pounds, and a Before/After Parade, in which members presented an article of clothing from before their weight loss on stage.

“It’s a good visual,” TOPS President Barbara Cady said. “It’s hard to picture going from a size 26 to a size 12, but like that you can see it.”

The centerpiece of Saturday’s ceremony was the crowning of the TOPS King and Queen. King Scott Wood, of Bakerstown, has lost 69 pounds since joining TOPS and Queen Corinna Grubbs, of Connellsville, has lost 162 pounds.

Grubbs said attending TOPS meetings regularly has helped her maintain her diet and exercise regimen, which now includes walking four to six miles a day.

“I don’t miss meetings,” Grubbs said, “unless I was sick, I never missed a meeting.”

Wood and Grubbs received no monetary reward for their achievements, but will get a free trip to the TOPS International Conference in Halifax, Nova Scotia this July.

TOPS has 101 chapters and more than 1,800 members in its Northeast Pennsylvania division. Of those chapters, more than 30 are based in Luzerne and Lackawanna counties.

“This is where the major part of my chapters are,” Northeast Pennsylvania Coordinator Trudy A. Bartley said.

Cady said Luzerne County TOPS members lost about 600 pounds in 2009.

TOPS supports its members in developing healthy lifestyles. It recommends keeping food diaries and counting calories, but does not espouse dieting. New members must consult with a physician before setting weight loss goals.

“A healthy lifestyle consists of correct portions,” Regional Director Judy Hamilton said, “add a little exercise and a lot of fun,”

TOPS groups hold weekly meetings to support and educate members. Meetings begin with a confidential weigh-in, followed by speakers, nutrition and fitness programs or simply games. Members receive charms and other small rewards for meeting fitness goals.

“We really care about each other,” Cady said, “not just about a number on a scale but about the person themselves.”

Meeting content is tailored to the needs of the group and its members.

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