2010 NEBRASKA STATE WINNERS

Nebraska SRD 2011 proudly presented... “TOPS to KOPS . . .  Dream BIG”

Come... meet our winners..

Nebraska 2010

State Queen

BETTY SVANDA

NE 0199, Ravenna

After retiring from my desk job, I found that I enjoyed cooking and gained way too much weight. When I complained once too often to my friend about my weight, she said “Do something about it” and asked me to visit and join TOPS where she was a member.

I did, and with the help of my new friends at TOPS, learning to cook sensibly, following food charts and keeping track of food eaten I was on my way!

It’s taken a long time but I’ve lost over 60 lbs and met my KOPS goal in November, 2010. I thank all the members of TOPS NE 0199, Ravenna for their support. Couldn’t have done it without them.

Nebraska 2010

Queen Runner-up

SHERIAN CRAFT

NE 0302, Ord

Loss to Goal – 58.0 pounds

“Wow - you’re half the size as when I saw you last!” a friend exclaimed who I had not seen for nearly a year. Who wouldn’t thrill at those words even if they weren’t quite true. 

During the summer of 2006, feeling thrilled wasn’t part of my life. It was more like depression, despair and desperation. No matter how hard I tried to lose weight my scale never varied below 200. At 5’ almost 2” that is a lot of weight. By the time I joined TOPS Sept 14, 2006 I was at an all time high of 218. Several women at church were TOPS members- one has been a KOP for ten years. I will always be grateful to my friend Audrey who especially encouraged me to get support from TOPS.

Having retired from teaching I was subbing regularly at our local high school.  My husband 100% supported my efforts, eating the same things I do; no special menus for him. He also supported my need to not sub on TOPS meeting dates. My chapter 

NE# 302 Ord meets on Thursday mornings, a common sub day. Our commitment to the program and learning how to eat healthy has not wavered since that date but my weight has. My husband lost 16 lbs and has maintained his youthful figure even at 65 years old. 

 I was able to successfully lose weight for 32 weeks without a gain. After a few gains, I went another 14 weeks losing. By July 2007, I had lost 52 lbs; within sight of my goal. Then I started getting in trouble. I had a few weeks where I thought I would have a gain and I actually lost. I think that allowed me to let down my guard. It took sixteen months, but by Nov of 2008 I was back up to 180. That scared me.  I could not  repeat years of losing 30 lbs and gaining 35 over and over.  Most of 2009 found me fluctuating between 168 and 178. With the encouragement of my fellow TOPS members I got back on  track again with a resolve to reach KOP status.  That happened June 10, 2010 with a loss of 58 pounds.  I look at these frustrating times as an “in-training year” for maintaining KOPS status. My body and mind has had time to stabilize. I still get discouraged sometimes when my weight loss is so slow - but my TOPS pals lift me up.  I have been co-leader for two years and enjoy coming up with creative and memorable programs. I find encouraging others encourages me.  Now I am feeling delighted, delirious and even a little daring.