A Covington woman is being celebrated as one of the most successful members, or “royalty,” members, of the TOPS Club, Inc (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), a non-profit weight-loss support organization during a celebratory event in May.

Jean Dobbs, of Covington, who lost 59 pounds, and Bob Lee, of Valdosta, who dropped 140 pounds, will be announced as the 2016 Georgia Queen and King. TOPS royalty are men and women 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.

TOPS offers an individual approach to weight loss and overall wellness. Consistent group support, health education, and recognition are all key components to successful weight management.

“Weight has been a lifelong battle for me. I have lost varying amounts of weight many times, including losing over 100 pounds on more than one occasion. It caused me to become shy and withdrawn,” Lee said. “I eventually stopped trying to lose weight. I believed that going through up and down cycles with my weight was worse for me than simply staying in one place.

“My wife joined TOPS sometime before I did and asked me to help her, since I did most of the cooking. She was very successful in her journey, but I was cooking differently for her than I was for myself. At some point in her journey, I was reminded that TOPS is not a diet, but rather a support group. So, if I could follow the same principles that I applied to my journey against alcoholism, which was another life battle for me, I just might succeed.

“I joined the TOPS chapter on July 16, 2015. Thanks to my TOPS family, I know if I keep doing what I’m doing and pass on what has been given to me so freely, I will keep what I have.”

“We are so gratified by our TOPS members’ amazing weight-loss accomplishments,” Barbara Cady, TOPS president, said. “Commemorating their life-changing achievements is an essential component of TOPS’ winning formula, whether losing weight or maintaining goals.”

TOPS 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 nearly 125,000 members – male and female, age seven and older – in its network of thousands of weight-loss support chapters throughout the United States and Canada.

Visitors are welcome to attend their first TOPS meeting free of charge. Membership is affordable at just $32 per year in the U.S. and $48 per year in Canada, plus nominal chapter fees. To find a local chapter, view www.tops.org or call 800-932-8677.