TOPS: Take Off Pounds Sensibly

75 years ago, Esther Manz invited friends into her Milwaukee, Wisconsin home for a weight loss, mutual support meeting. Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) is still helping dieters with weekly meetings throughout the United States and Canada, as well as Zoom meetings for those unable to attend in person. Other tools and videos available on line plus books explain the very balanced diet plan. TOPS even has retreats to help its members. And once you’ve met your goal weight, which you plan in consultation with your own doctor, you transition to KOPS, or Keep Off Pounds Sensibly.

Unlike most diet programs, TOPS is a nonprofit with very low membership costs as compared to its commercialized competitors. Presently, TOPS annual membership fees start at $49 in the US and $59 CAD in Canada. There are also local chapter fees of about $5 per month. Your first meeting is free, so you get to learn what the program is about before making a commitment. I don’t think you can get any other program at this price level other than Overeaters Anonymous. But if you know of one, please comment below so we can learn more about it.

I attended a TOPS meeting last night so I could learn more about the program. The small but friendly group was very welcoming. Before the meeting, there is a private weigh in. The meeting itself includes presentations on how to continue healthy eating and exercise practices.

The members all try to motivate each other. Weights themselves are not announced, but any pounds lost or gained are read off for each member. All weight lost is cheered, and if a member gains weight, the others respond with, “We care.” I thought that was a sweet custom, and they have quite a few of these folksy traditions.

If you are looking for a high tech, splashy, colorful type of group, this might not be your best option. But if you prefer a kind and caring group, down to earth with a very sensible vibe, you’re home! Many of the members have been at this for years – even decades! They are devoted to TOPS and their membership. Of course, each chapter is different, so visit one (or more) in your area, or the online Zoom version.

To give you a better idea about the TOPS Club program, I’m including a few of their recent videos here. There is also content from their Zoom online meetings if you look at the TOPS YouTube account. The Zoom meetings include interactions between members, but that isn’t included in the YouTube presentations.

This first video is on Portion Control, particularly when you are away from home and your kitchen measuring devices like scales and cups.

For more on portion sizes, try https://lindawbrowning.com/2023/02/07/measuring-weighing-foods/

The Non Scale Victory video is helpful for times when your motivation is a little low. There are times when the scale doesn’t move in the right direction for all of us.

Finally, I’d like to share a video on a topic which is often overlooked, Self Care. It’s actually an important part of our weight loss and maintenance journey.

Interested in more on self-care? I’ve created many posts on the topic, including https://lindawbrowning.com/2023/01/10/self-care-what-and-why/ and https://lindawbrowning.com/2023/02/24/self-care-mindfulness/

I hope that you will consider whether TOPS Club could be a helpful program for you. If you are looking for a support meeting format that can fit into your budget, give it a try! It can be part of your toolkit to maintain your healthy weight.