For more than four decades, local Chapter 263 has dutifully met to support its members’ weight-loss aspirations.
The Ocean Beach chapter of the international weight-loss organization TOPS Club, Inc. ” an acronym for Take Off Pounds Sensibly ” also has a few of its charter members still very involved.
“The local organization was formed in March of 1962, so this month we have celebrated our 46th anniversary,” said chapter secretary Joan Yost.
Yost, a retired teacher, said she joined the local chapter last year.
“I had some friends who were going to TOPS, and they were having some success, and so I thought, ‘Well, I’m going to give it a try,'” she said. “I just love it. The ladies that go there are just delightful.”
With an estimated 200,000 members globally, TOPS is a nonprofit, noncommercial weight-loss support organization originally formed in Milwaukee, now with chapters worldwide, according to www.tops.org.
According to members, the organization’s twofold objective is to “encourage healthy lifestyles through weight-management support groups and to sponsor obesity research.”
Yost said the local meetings are held at the Ocean Beach Women’s Club, 2160 Bacon St., every Friday from 10 to 11 a.m. She said the chapter, which currently has 21 members, utilizes an array of different activities to support one another in their weight-loss endeavors. Yost said some activities include taking count of the total number of pounds lost per week for the group, the total gained and spotlighting achievements.
“So, we recognize people that are being successful, and there are little prizes that are given each week for the person that’s the star of the week,” Yost said. “And then we have a program that helps us on our weight-loss journey. For example, not too long ago I did a program where I asked ” I’m a retired teacher ” so I gave them homework to come to class prepared with either a food product that helps people stay on track or to bring a recipe that they think is a good one for people that are trying to lose weight.”
Yost said she believes the local chapter has had such a long and successful run because of the nature of its membership.
“Well, for one thing, you become friends with the people that come,” Yost said. “There’s just a real sense of camaraderie and support. There are several others who have been members for over 35 years and they have just become almost like family to each other.”
Charter member Helen Amadee has been with the local chapter since the very beginning.
“A friend of mine knew some people that were going to start a new chapter and she wanted to know if I wanted to go ” and I did,” she said.
Amadee said that as a result of the program, she has successfully maintained her weight.
Amadee said she’s now part of KOPS, an acronym for Keep Off Pounds Sensibly, a distinction among the TOPS members who have reached their goal weight and now assist other members with their pursuits.
“No matter which organization you belong to, you gotta do all the work,” Amadee said.
“You have to count your own calories and maintain your own menu and do your little exercise, you know, no matter which organization you belong to,” she said.
Amadee said she is proud of the success that has come through her involvement in the programs.
“Well, I enjoy not being overweight,” she said. “First, I’ll tell you I’m 89 years old, and now I weigh what I did when I graduated from high school. However, the bad news is that I am 5 inches shorter, so it doesn’t really show as much as it could, you know?”
For more information or to locate a local chapter, visit www.tops.org.