TOPS - Take Off Pounds Sensibly

TOPS Club Inc. is a nonprofit, noncommercial, weight-loss support organization with chapters all across the country. I am currently the president of our local chapter and have found it provides an inexpensive and helpful tool for keeping me accountable in my weight loss journey. I have been a member of TOPS for 2 years now. Our chapter is small, but sufficient to meet our needs.

There is a yearly registration fee of $26.00 to join TOPS and after that you only have to pay whatever amount of dues your chapter determines. Ours is only .50 per week. If you are looking for an inexpensive way to get some support and accountability, TOPS just may be the place for you.

Each week we have a weigh in followed by a 30 minute meeting that offers various tips and advice on weight loss and general healthy living. They do have an exchange system diet plan that you can use, but they do not teach you how to work it like other clubs do. They give you the tools to use, but you are free to use the plan that works best for you. I count calories and find that works really well for me so I do not use the TOPS exchange system. They do, however, encourage you to use a plan that is healthy and will lead to long term success rather than implementing some diet fad that is not workable for the long term.

They also provide you with opportunities to meet other TOPS members in your area as well as on a state and national level. With conventions and workshops throughout the year, there are plenty of opportunities to motivate yourself and others within the TOPS club. It's not the type of club that will hold your hand in every decision you make, but they will help you learn how to make good choices on your own and provide you with the tools and support you need to meet your weight loss goals.

Those who reach their goal weight become KOPS and are welcome to remain in the club to help them maintain their weight as well as encourage others to do the same. It is my goal to become a KOP this year. I am only about 17 pounds away! To find out more or to find a TOPS Club near you visit their website at www.tops.org.

TOPS Benefits

Inexpensive - Weekly accountability that won't break your bank
Flexibility - Your ability to choose the plan that works best for you
Support - A place to find support and encouragement
Rewards - You are rewarded for goals throughout your weight loss journey, not just at the end