We all joined TOPS to lose weight. You may have done this immediately, or you might still be waiting for something to happen. TOPS can give you many ideas for losing, but you’re the one who needs to make a plan and do the work.
First, I suggest that you get a copy of TOPS Real Life: The Hands-on Pounds-off Guide. It has descriptions of many ideas for eating sensibly. Then, you need to do some self-talk and make a plan. Make a list of how you want to go about it.
- How much do you want to lose each week or month?
- Are you going to exercise? Will it be daily, three or four times a week?
- What are you going to do to exercise: walk, run, ride a bike, swim?
- Are you going to follow a meal plan? Which one? (When making your list, make sure you put the things you like best in it. You’re more likely to keep it up if you plan to include things you really like.)
- Are you going to measure and weigh your food? Are you going to just eat less?
When your list is done, choose how you want to start. You can choose one or two of the things on your list and try those for a month. If you don’t see results, add another one or two things from the list for you to do. You should have a goal in mind — either pounds lost or time-wise. No one said losing weight is easy or that solely by joining TOPS that you would lose weight. You need a plan and you need to follow it.
When you reach each of your goals, reward yourself with things you like: maybe flowers, a special cup of flavored coffee, or five dollars put in a “new outfit jar” to accumulate until you need smaller clothes.
If all the above seems too overwhelming for you, the easiest plan may be to decide what you’re eating that you know you shouldn’t be eating, and give it up! Do not eat it! I once lost weight by not eating ice cream (not even a spoonful) for a whole year. The result was twenty-five pounds lost!
Sandra Seidlitz
TOPS Treasurer and Board Member
By Charlotte Larson February 18, 2022
Thank you Sandra. You have to work at it & keep doing it, or it just won’t work. Some think only do the plan two or three days a week, that just won’t take it off & keep it off. It’s a life long program, follow it.
By Janet Long February 15, 2022
Thanks for the great info. I have been in Tops 20+ years. I haven”t reached my goal yet but last year I lost 14 pounds. I”m still working on my goal. The ideas suggestions are great. Thanks again. Love Tops.
By Sylvia Duncan February 14, 2022
Good words to live by.
Thanks for sharing your experience with ice cream.
I used star stickers on my calendar for each time I resisted ice cream and somehow that worked .I have been KOPS almost ten years now and every once in awhile I still give myself a gold star
By Karen Tinlin February 14, 2022
Excellent advice! It says everything in a nutshell of what TOPS is all about. Thanks for your insight.
By Gina Brueske February 14, 2022
Thanks Sandra. I am going to use this tomorrow at TOPS. Good advise for everyone.
By Eve February 14, 2022
Spot on We join TOPS determined to lose weight like it will just happen, but then don’t put in the effort to make it happen TOPS members are here to support each other in reaching their goals…not to enable each other to be complacent. Give a friend a call to remind them what STAR you are both reaching for
By Pat Purcell February 14, 2022
You hit the nail on the head on this one. Just what I need to do to get started again after gaining almost 30 Covid lbs. Thanks.
By Eve February 14, 2022
You can do this…I believe in you…we all believe in you