Losing weight can be as great a challenge as keeping it off.
Sicamous’ TOPS (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly) branch offers support for both.
TOPS is an international, non-profit organization that helps people lose weight and keep it off through the promotion of healthy eating, exercise and wellness education.
The local chapter came into existence after Charlette Cochran’s scale gave her news she did not want to see.
“I had stepped on the scale in July and I was 10 pounds away from where I was when I had a heart attack, and I thought, my goodness, I’ve got to smarten up,” said Cochran. Having had a positive prior experience with TOPS, Cochran says she contacted the regional co-ordinator and got to work on setting up a local branch.
“We had to have four members, ended up with five that day,” says Cochran. “It’s slowly been growing. I think we’re up to 11 members now, but I would like to get more because I’m going to be gone for six months and I would like the club to keep going until I get back.”
Cochran has taken off 31 pounds since September. She says she tried to lose the weight without TOPS, but found she wasn’t motivated.
“Here we know we have to face that scale every Wednesday, and we’re with people who are going through the same situation,” says Cochran. “So there’s lots of support, and we do programs to get incentives.”
Open to anyone, TOPS members meet Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m. at the Employment Place. On March 23 the group is having its election and awards presentation, and Cochran hopes anyone who might be interested will stop by.
There’s a $30 annual fee to be a member, which includes a subscription to TOPS’ monthly magazine, packed with helpful features and incentives used regularly by the group. In addition, members pay $4 a month in dues to cover related expenses. The group gets to use the Employment Place free of charge, only having to make a monthly donation to the food bank.
Cochran notes that sometimes the meetings can be emotional, such as when individuals get disheartened after learning they’ve put on weight. But this is what the group is for – to provide positive support and see people through.
For more more information about TOPS, contact Cochran at 250-836-5161 or 250-517-8371.