TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) Club Inc., the nonprofit weight-loss support organization, recently included a Covington man among its top “royalty” for 2021.
TOPS royalty are women and men who, at the end of the year, have officially recorded the largest weight loss from their starting weight, regardless of the time taken to reach their goal.
Hays Harper of Covington, who lost 17.8 pounds, and Ann Hedden of Watkinsville, who lost 74.75 pounds, are the 2021 Georgia Queen and King. They were honored in April at the Georgia recognition event at Sonesta Gwinnett Place in Duluth.
TOPS provides an individual approach to weight loss and overall wellness. Consistent group support, health education, and recognition are all key components to successful weight management.
During 2021, TOPS members in Georgia lost a cumulative 3,677 pounds.
“Through their participation in TOPS, we are extremely proud of our TOPS members’ weight-loss accomplishments,” said TOPS President Rick Danforth, who has maintained a 100-pound weight loss for more than 15 years. “Celebrating the life-changing achievements of not only these individuals but those who have come before them is a hallmark of TOPS’ winning formula. By maintaining a commitment to personal lifestyle changes, TOPS members are given the tools and assistance to achieve their weight loss goals.”
Weekly meetings are the heart of TOPS support, whether they are held in-person or online. In-person meetings start with an optional weigh-in, with members then sharing challenges, successes, or goals, followed by a brief program covering a variety of health and wellness topics, and may conclude with awards and recognition for the week. Visitors can attend their first TOPS in-person meeting free of charge and encouraged to try more than one chapter, since they’re all a little different.
For online membership, virtual meetings are conducted via Zoom and are offered three times during the week. The meeting starts with members disclosing challenges, successes, or goals. Next, the online facilitator presents a prepared program and sometimes includes guest speakers who share their expert views on fitness, nutrition, and more. Meetings conclude with action steps related to the program presented.
Membership is affordable, starting at $59 annually in Canada and $49 per year in the U.S., plus nominal monthly chapter fees. To learn more about membership options or to find a local chapter, visit the TOPS website or call 800-932-8677.
TOPS Club Inc. (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) is the original weight-loss support and wellness education organization. Founded in 1948, TOPS is the only nonprofit, noncommercial weight-loss organization of its kind. TOPS promotes successful weight management with a “Real People. Real Weight Loss” philosophy that combines support from others at weekly chapter meetings, healthy eating, regular exercise, and wellness information.
TOPS has tens of thousands of members – male and female, ages 7 and older – in its network of thousands of weight-loss support chapters throughout the United States and Canada.
