TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) is a nonprofit weight loss support group with chapters worldwide. Locally, a TOPS branch meets on Tuesdays from 8:45 to 10 a.m. at The Torch Community Center, 2846 Main St. (Route 23), Morgantown, in the Clock Tower Plaza.
The meetings are designed for people of all ages who want to receive help and support to meet their weight loss goals. Each meeting features a weigh-in, a progress report from participants and a health-related program presented by the group leader. Participants are not asked to buy special food or other diet-related products. Rather, they are encouraged to choose foods they enjoy in moderation and to substitute high-calorie foods with other options.
"When we come in, we have about 30 minutes where individuals will get weighed privately," explained co-leader Sally Kieffer. "The meetings start at 9:15 a.m., and we have a pledge to agree that we're going to take off pounds sensibly. This is not is a diet or quick fix. We do have guidelines if people want to use them. After (the pledge), we do a roll call. During that time, we say our name and whether we gained or lost weight, but we don't have to say how much. When someone loses weight, we cheer, and if they didn't, we tell them, 'Today is a new day.'"
The program leader then offers a program related to health and wellness. "We have talked about how water is important to wellness, some exercises that we can do that are low-impact, something to help with motivation or how to handle (eating) during a holiday," said Kieffer. "These are actual programs given to the leader by TOPS."
Members are asked to pay a yearly fee, which goes to TOPS International. The local chapter also collects a nominal due each week. "We welcome new members any time, and they may attend one meeting free of charge to see if they are interested," said Kieffer. "There's no pressure. You can observe the meeting and come back the next week to join."
Many chapter members come from the immediate surrounding area of Elverson, Honey Brook and Morgantown, but other members are from Coatesville, New Holland, Birdsboro, Reading and Narvon. "The ages in our group range from early 30s to mid-80s. We have an average attendance of about 16 to 18 (people)," Kieffer pointed out.
She said that the chapter has been meeting locally for at least 30 years. "We used to meet at the West Nantmeal Township Building and then we met at Elverson Borough Hall, but we outgrew those facilities," Kieffer stated. "The Torch allows us to meet there. It helps their community-based ministry, and it helps us. Occasionally, the (TOPS participants) will collect money and supplies for The Torch to help them because we appreciate them letting us meet there."
Those who pay the membership fee receive a free monthly magazine from TOPS International and information about online resources. "We encourage people to utilize the online resources," Kieffer said. "There is an opportunity if you don't want to meet at a local chapter you can do an online version (of the program). Each chapter is run a little differently, so even if you've been to another chapter, come and check us out."
TOPS also offer incentive contests. "People can earn monetary rewards like $5 if they lost weight for three weeks in a row. We have other contests throughout the year to motivate people to lose weight," Kieffer explained.
She said that TOPS offers a no-pressure and nonjudgmental environment for those with weight loss goals. "You don't have to share if you don't want to. There are opportunities to share, but no one is put on the spot or made to feel embarrassed," she said. "We look forward to meeting new people. Teens and men are also welcome to join."
For more information about TOPS, readers may visit http://www.tops.org.
Leave a Review