[NeedtoLose]

It went well. I got my husband to join with me also.

It is a support group. They give you an outline of a healthy diet, but you do not need to follow any plan in particular.

I think it is something that my husband and I will be able to go to together and hopefully each of us will learn some things about eating healthier.

[Cyn]

I am so happy you went and liked it. That is great that they give you options instead of saying you have to eat their way--I hate those types. It is also great that your hubby joined as well--it will be much easier if it is a group effort and if you both are eating healthy. Good luck!

[NeedtoLose]

I think my husband and I are the only 2 not in their late forties, fifties, sixties...LOL! But they were nice people. They gave me some great snack ideas that I will post later.

It was a little like weight watchers in that the first 10 minutes are spent weighing everyone in. They have contests and the biggest loser of the week gets a artificaial rose. It was nice.

They do other stuff though too. The last meeting of the month they actually take a walk together if it is not too hot outside.

And the best part is...now that I am enrolled in a group my insurance will cover Phen and Xenical! I see the doctor on Monday. I am sure I will get the new prescripts then. After that, it will be LOW FAT eating for me!!!

[Cyn]

It sounds great and $20 for the year is really great! I have checked into other programs and they cost alot!! Cant wait to hear the snack ideas--I would rather snack than have a meal!!

[NeedtoLose]

Here is more information on TOPS, if anyone is interested.

Description: TOPS® (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) is the oldest international, non-profit, non-commercial weight- loss support group.

Founded: 1948 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, by Esther Manz.

Mission Statement: TOPS mission is to support our members as they take and keep off pounds sensibly.

Chapter program components: Weekly meetings include private weigh-ins and a program. Program provides members with positive reinforcement and motivation to adhere to food and exercise plans.

Membership: Over 200,000 members in 10,000 chapters in the U.S., Canada and other countries worldwide.

Membership fees: $20 annually, $25 in Canada. Nominal chapter fees (varies from $.50 to $1 per week to cover chapter costs).

Fabulous Figures: In 2004, TOPS total weight loss equaled 1,016,944 pounds or 508.47 tons. The average loss per chapter was 102.80 pounds.

Organization: A nine-member board of directors administers TOPS.

Field Staff: Assisting TOPS volunteer chapter leaders is a field staff of 13 Regional Directors, 139 Coordinators, and 453 Area Captains.

TOPS Experts: TOPS has experts in the field of medical research, nutrition, fitness, and psychology.

TOPS Ambassadors: TOPS Ambassadors are real-life weight- loss experts who have achieved and maintained their goal weight and speak across the country “spreading the word” about TOPS.

TOPS also offers: a lifestyle guide “The Choice Is Yours”; TOPS retreats, rallies and recognition days; TOPS NEWS, a membership magazine; and educational brochures for the public.

Research: Since 1966, TOPS has funded an obesity and metabolic research program at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee and supports ongoing research there. To date, 5.4 million dollars from TOPS earnings and member contributions have helped fund obesity research.

Current Obesity Statistics: (Source: Centers for Disease Control)

•61% of adults in the U.S. are considered overweight; 26% are considered obese.

•The percentage of children and adolescents who are overweight has doubled in the last 30 years.

•Each year, 300,000 deaths are attributable to poor diet and inactivity.

•Health care costs related to an unhealthy weight and sedentary lifestyle are more than $117 billion annually.

Key Messages:

•TOPS® Club, Inc. (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) is the oldest non-profit, non- commercial weight-loss organization.

•TOPS is an established and well-respected organization, founded in 1948.

•TOPS’ philosophy is that desire to change comes from within an individual and the most effective way to sustain change is to provide a supporting environment.

•TOPS is different from commercial weight-loss organizations:

—members get their food plan and exercise plans from their personal physician or licensed health care professional

—TOPS does not endorse any commercial food product and is non- profit

•TOPS is affordable. Dues are $20 per year in the U.S. and $25 in Canada.

•TOPS is a leading supporter of obesity research.

Historical milestones:

• 1948 TOPS is founded by Esther Manz.

• 1949 First issue of TOPS NEWS contains 3 mimeographed pages.

• 1952 TOPS articles of incorporation state TOPS commitment to finding a cure for obesity.

• 1954 First national convention held in Chicago at the American Medical Association headquarters

• 1955 First Canadian chapter founded in Hamilton, Ontario

• 1966 TOPS writes a check to fund obesity research at Milwaukee’s Deaconess Hospital.

• 1980 TOPS publishes a nutrition monograph.

• 1994 The TOPS Center for Obesity and Metabolic Research at the Medical College of Wisconsin is dedicated and the first phase of the MRC-OB (Medical Risks and Complications of Obesity Genes Project) research study begins with the development of a questionnaire to record family histories.

• 1995 Third phase of MRC-OB study begins; 400 biologic sisters and their families are screened in 4 states.

• 1997 Information from more than 500 families and over 2,500 individuals is obtained for the MRC-OB study—the largest collection for a study of this kind.

• 2000 MRC-OB researchers report they have discovered an area on human chromosome-3 that may hold the key to understanding the genetic basis for obesity.


http://www.tops.org/ReadArticle.asp?articleId=1203

[ACE223]

WOW!!! Thanks!!!! That was some good information.