Indiana TOPS News

"TOPS - It's My Time"

Indiana SRD 2010 Announces Winners!

INDIANA ROYALTY

King Richard Campbell

10.50 Pounds Lost to Goal

As a retired man and recent widower, I noticed the pounds creeping on. My lifestyle had drastically changed,. Instead of working I was now sitting in the hospital with my wife. My blood pressure and heart rate were higher and my weight seemed to be the culprit.

I was at 165 lbs. and it was time to do something. After my wife passed, I was staying with one of our daughters who encouraged me to start walking with her. I was on my way to a healthier lifestyle. While visiting with an old friend, she invited me to go to her TOPS meeting with her. It was just what I needed to get my weight and my health into check. TOPS helped me to eat healthier by reminding me to eat more fruits and vegetables, drink more water and exercise more. After a while I noticed my portion was in check. Of course, as with any journey, it was not always easy. I had joined a gym but never used it. I had Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners just like every- one else. The biggest key was to remember…..if I fell off the wagon, I just had to get up and get right back on. I joined TOPS #IN 1183, Fishers in February of 2009 and by April I had reached my KOPS status. Currently at 136 lbs. and married to my good friend who had introduced me to TOPS, I am back in a size 29 pants and happier and healthier than I have been in several years.

I would say the key to weight loss success is exercise, healthy eating habits, a good support group and most importantly, DETERMINATION! THANKS TO TOPS, I HAVE REACHED MY WEIGHT LOSS GOAL AND IT WAS EASIER AND MORE ENJOYABLE BECAUSE I DID NOT HAVE TO DO IT ALONE!

Queen Eva Black

100.00 Pounds Lost to Goal

What a journey I have been on! Thanksgiving Day 2007, I weighed 257 lbs. I was a mess. I could not walk without pain and I was not a happy person. I made up my mind something had to be change. All I was doing was waiting to die. I could not do anything because I was in so much pain, so I sat and ate. I picked up a book about Dr. Atkins and began to read it. I knew it was hypoglycemic, and I learned his diet was the best one to go on. So, I went on his plan. I lost 13 lbs. and I was so happy. What did I do? I grabbed a box of cookies and a large cup of coffee, sat down and begin to celebrate. I finished the last cookie and realized what I was doing. I started to cry. This was what I had always done. The swing of losing and gaining was beginning again. I knew I needed someone to hold me accountable. I recalled reading about a support groups called TOPS in our local paper. I went through the recycling and found the number and called.

I went to my first meeting January 10, 2008. I was scared, but they made me feel welcome, so I joined that night. I weighed 244 lbs. at weigh in. I didn't want to be embarrassed at the next weigh in, so I followed the plan. I wrote down everything I ate and drank. It was easier staying on my plan since I knew others were watching. I was best loser nine times during my first year. I also won first place in my division at last years' SRD. I won many awards in my local area as well.

I had to learn not to lick the spoon and not to taste the stew! I still baked for my husband and children - pies and cookies were on the counter every day. I quickly learned they couldn't stay there. The family soon learned if they wanted pie or cookies that they were in the freezer. I did not want to see them all day. Out of sight, out of mind was my motto!

I had to face a major surgery in August of my first year, 5 weeks of therapy later, I returned with a loss. I was proud of myself for the first time in my life. I had done something. I was so happy.

I went from being a couch potato watching TV all day, to just watching TV one hour a day. I didn't have time anymore. I was now walking and for awhile I joined an aerobics class. I can go shopping at the mall much to my husband's delight - Ha Ha! He is so proud of the new me. I am more outgoing and happy.

In March 2009, I was elected chapter leader. I could not believe it. I also lost my last pound to reach my goal. 100 lbs lighter!

I have learned it is easier to take off weight than keep it off. It's a mental battle. I started our a size 26 and 244 lbs. Now I am a size 8 and 144 lbs.

I make my menu daily and my snack bags. If I want something, I have it ready. That way I am not tempted to grab something that is easy to get. I write everything down. I will never again let myself think I am not worthy and I can't do it. I have won the battle!

My journey isn't over, I have just started. My life is changing every day.

I am Free, Free, FREE!

Queen Runner-up Brenda Selby

92.00 Pounds Lost to Goal

When my scale hit 242 lbs., I decided it was time to do something about it. I wanted to lose weight so I would feel better, get around better, and be able to do things with my husband, children and grandchildren. I had be- longed to TOPS about 20 yrs ago.

I found TOPS #IN 1425, DeMotte which met at my local library. I talked my daughter into joining with me. In the past I went on all the quick weight loss diets and then regained the weight I had lost plus a little more each time. This time I decided to do things differently. I would take things slowly and concentrate on eating healthy and exercising. I knew doing it this way the chances were better in keeping it off. It took me 3 and half years to lose my weight. I lost half of that the first year and the rest came off slowly during the next 2 and half years.

My daughter and I started walking 6 days a week. We decided not to use the word diet, instead we were going to eat healthy. We still had to cook for our families, so we decided try to make healthier choices and eat smaller portions.

Having to weigh in each week, the encouragement from my TOPS friends and contests kept me moving forward. I lost 92 lbs to goal. I feel great and so much more able to do so many more things that I could before.

Best Average Weight Loss ~ TOPS IN1498, Dunkirk ~ 16.80 Pounds

DIVISION WINNERS

Male

Female

Division 1

1st Place - Dennis Smith - 74.50 lbs.