Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS)

[Aberlaine]

I've been a member of TOPS for four years and am now the leader for the third time. Like the SBD, it insists that the changes you make while you're on your diet are FOREVER! Going on and off diets is the reason most people gain their weight back.

I love my TOPS meetings because of the f2f support I get each week. I've lost the weight I wanted and am now a KOPS (Keep Off Pounds Sensibly). But maintenance is the hardest thing I've ever done!!

While losing my weight, I counted every calorie that went into my mouth, but on maintenance, I've gotten lazy. I've almost lost my KOPS status more than once. My problem? I'd eat poorly and add those calories to my daily list. And the cravings were impossible to conquer.

On the SBD I eat sensibly and don't have to count calories. I'm almost finished with Phase One and am finally back down to my original goal weight. Next week I start Phase Two and go to my TOPS meeting. With these two ways of life, I can't lose!!

[RedRox]

Congrats! We've had others here who have successfully combined the two. Like the KOPS acronym btw! And welcome!

[scoers]

I was apart of our local TOPS several years back. And I loved . Not sure why i quit going. I had several charms It was fun and very supportive.Your right who couldn't use a little more support. Good luck to you.

[Namaste]

I've heard of TOPS, but that's probably the one diet on earth I haven't tried yet.

What exactly is it? It is simply support, or is it a specific diet as well? I thought someone told me it was similar to the old Weight Watchers exchange program, but I have no idea.

[scoers]

actually it isnt a particular diet. It's a support group. Give each other advice and cheer each other on. You weigh in weekly and have mini contest each week to who lost the most and a monthly contest. Small little prizes. It was allot of fun .

[momof2princes]

I, too, did TOPS and enjoyed it. Unfortunately, i moved away from the group that I went to to for 2+ years and when I found a local group, i wasn't as happy with the people so i stopped going.

I also have two yound children and a husband who works long hours, so it is duifficult to attend the meetings.

[mcfay]

Another TOPS member here. I started going "again" (the third time) two weeks ago.

Back in 1985 I was a TOPS member and lost 69 lbs. Back then I was about 15 lbs. from my goal. I quit going and DH and I started traveling alot and I gained it all back.

In 1999 I joined again and lost about 30 lbs. Then hurt my back and had to have back surgery and quit going again.

Now I'm back on track. I need to lose 100 lbs. to get to my goal weight. The goal I set for myself. But I have a Dr. apt. next month and I will let him set my goal, so it may change.

My second weigh-in was last night and I lost another 3.25 lbs. Lost the same amount the first week. A total of 6.5 lbs.

I can't say enough about the good TOPS does. Everyone is so supportave.

tiggrr0306, I would incourage you to try again, maybe they have new leaders now. I know I tried one group that was about 25 miles away and I wasn't too happy either. They didn't do anything, just weighed in and said see you next week. I looked in the paper and found the group I'm in now, they are lot closer and a great bunch of people.