The Cochrane chapter of the non-profit club TOPS (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly) is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.
“When you have a problem with your weight, it is life long. What I find with TOPS is it makes me accountable,” said Marguerite Norlander, who has been a member of the club since 1995.
“I go every week and find out if I’ve done the things I’m supposed to do to look after my weight.”
TOPS started in 1948 in Milwaukee, Wis. by a group of women who wanted to support each other in ‘thinner figures and better health.’ According to its website, the club now has ‘nearly 10,000 local chapters across every U.S. state and Canadian province, plus some overseas chapters.’
The group also has a research element with current donations to obesity research ‘exceeding $8.5 million.’
Although they don’t have any definite plans on how to celebrate their 30th anniversary in Cochrane, Norlander said they are thinking about making a donation on behalf of the chapter towards further research.
She added that what makes TOPS unique is that although the group would make recommendations to fellow members at the meetings, the main person who makes the recommendations is the member’s own doctor.
“We have to set a goal and get a release from our doctors to see what is a good weight loss program for us. That is different than the other programs, because they tell you. It is our doctors that make that decision.”
Meetings in Cochrane are every Thursday evening at the Bow Valley Baptist Church and the club currently has 17 members. Norlander said they start with a weigh-in and record that weight so everyone’s progress can be charted. They then talk about who has gained and who has lost, having both celebrations and encouragement. There is also a presentation given at the meeting by one of the members or a guest speaker.
One of the main things Norlander said she really likes about the club is the support, adding that members contact each other throughout the week. Awards are part of this support and are given out to members for ‘weekly or monthly best losers, contest winners and members who’ve reached their goal.’
Yearly membership costs $36 in Canada, plus nominal local chapter dues of about $5 month, which varies by chapter.
For more information on the Cochrane chapter of TOPS people can contact chapter leader Darlene Dyck at [email protected].
