TOPS Weight Loss Group Celebrates 40 Years in Ramona

First row: Peg Royer, Carmen Hill, Linda Smith, Ruth Iams, Beverly Andrews. Second Row: Jan Moran, Gail Ball, Joan Spaulding, Dimple McCullough, Heidi Avera. Third row: Barbara Smith, Marylynn Sproat, Beulah Farnsworth, Grace Terrazas, Mary Bonner, Sharon Cianciola.

By Laura Calverley

Who knew scaling down could be such a positive thing?

Taking Off Pounds Sensibly in Ramona celebrated its 40th anniversary last month, and members attribute the group’s success and longevity to its unique philosophy of weight control mixed with friendship and support.

“TOPS is a support group that helps its members lose weight, eat right and live right,” said Mary Bonner, co-leader of the Ramona chapter for the past two years. “But we do it in a friendlier, more personal way. Everyone tries to motivate and help each other to reach their goals.”

Group members celebrated their anniversary with a special get-together at Sizzler steakhouse. New officers were installed and awards were presented to members who had reached or maintained their weight goals. This year’s officers include Gail Ball and Jan Moran, co-leaders; Dimple McCullough, treasurer; Joan Spaulding, weight recorder; and Heidi Avera, secretary.

It was a social evening for the group, which now has 27 members. They enjoyed the salad bar on this night, but typically, no food is allowed at meetings.

A speaker is often on the agenda at the weekly meetings, such as a nutritionist or motivational speaker. Usually, it’s the members who speak, talking about their weight goals and experiences. As time goes on, they become more than just members of a weight-loss group; they become friends.

“I’ve made friends all over through TOPS,” Bonner said.

According to Ball, the new co-leader, TOPS’ nonprofit status and its flexibility with diet choice also attract many people.

“What I like best is that it is nonprofit and noncommercial. It doesn’t endorse or promote any products or special dinners that cost extra,” said Ball, a member since last June. “TOPS members can use any diet they want, including the low-carb diets. The focus is on healthy eating.”

The TOPS organization advocates working with a personal physician to determine a weight goal and food and exercise plan. Then, according to the organization’s Web site, the program “provides members with positive reinforcement and motivation” at the chapter meetings to help individuals stick to their plans.

There are no special menus. Members learn about counting calories, eating balanced meals and the importance of exercise.

One way the group members motivate each other is through a program called “Secret Pal.”

“Each person has a Secret Pal who sends weekly notes and sometimes small gifts to the other person to motivate them,” Bonner said. “But you don’t know who it is, so it keeps you interested.”

Contests are held to keep members competing in weight loss, and incentives are given for staying on track. One incentive is a charm bracelet that is given to every member after attending six consecutive meetings. Charms for the bracelet are given monthly and quarterly to the one who loses the most weight, for weight loss after a holiday and for other occasions such as Recognition Days.

Most people who join want to lose at least 10 pounds, but some members have lost a lot more. Beverly Andrews, a Ramona TOPS member for two years, lost 50 pounds her first year. She became “Queen of the Chapter” in 2003 for losing the most weight — and keeping it off. She wore a crown and long gown all day during Area Recognition Day, an annual conference during which all the chapters in an area get together.

“I was a chubby child and had been putting myself on different diets since I was 12 years old,” Andrews said. “I tried other weight-loss programs and medications, but nothing worked like TOPS. The main thing that helps is the support of friends and encouragement that you get at TOPS.”

The TOPS organization, which has over 200,000 members worldwide, has been around for more than 40 years. Founded in 1948 in Milwaukee, Wis. by Esther Manz, it is the oldest international, nonprofit weight-loss support group with chapters across the United States and overseas. The group’s philosophy is that desire to change comes from within, and the most effective way to maintain your ideal weight is through a supportive environment.

What are the new leaders’ plans for the future of the Ramona TOPS chapter?

“We will continue to focus on healthy eating and exercise,” Ball said. “We want to get the word out and try to get new members. I believe in always learning. If I can, I’d like to bring new knowledge and ideas to the group.”

Ramona TOPS meets at 6:30 p.m. each Thursday at Grace Community Church. There is a $20 fee for joining, which includes a subscription to the TOPS News magazine, and monthly dues are $3.25. For more information on joining, call Gail Ball at (760) 789-4066 or visit the Web site, www.tops.org.