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Plan now to attend TOPS International Recognition Days
in Halifax, Nova Scotia ~ July
15-17, 2010
Click on the IRD logo above for more information
or join Ruth Gielow and other TOPS members on an
IRD bus trip, July 8-22nd, 2010
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King
Andrew Anderson
Lost 36.25#
Being the 2008 State of South Dakota TOPS King
is a great honor for me. First of all I would like to thank a KOPS
chapter member who encouraged me to use the American Heart Association
Diet which helped her obtain and maintain her KOPS status for over
sixteen years. Other people I’d like to thank are the men that attended
the men’s retreat - in particular, Jerry Boudreau from Pennsylvania.
Jerry said that IRD is going to be in Orlando in July of 2009.
Hearing about IRD got me more motivated to lose weight. John Terry, a
former TOPS state king and a chapter leader, provided me with a great
deal of encouragement and words of wisdom such as, “There is no perfect
diet. All you can do is work at eating less by controlling your portion
sizes.”
I have found the contests that we hold in our meetings are very
beneficial because they remind me to exercise thirty to sixty minutes a
day, drink six to eight glasses of water, watch what you eat, and record
it in a food journal.
My TOPS story began in May of 1999 in TOPS #SD 87, Rapid City, who
helped me achieve my first milestone of losing 23 pounds and becoming a
division three winner. I later transferred to my current TOPS chapter
#SD 466, Rapid City. Over the years in TOPS I have learned that a lot of
my weight gain is due to poor stress management. There are the stressful
family problems and the stress of being in the military service. With
the encouragement and support of my family, the TOPS organization, my
chapter and my friends, I have been able to make a healthy lifestyle
change and meet my goal.
This year I was able to lose 36 ¼ pounds and then up to a 43 pound loss.
I obtained my KOPS status and received this honor in 2008. I attended a
Spring Workshop and I also attended the Fall Workshop where I had a
total loss of 37 ½ pounds. At the Spring Workshop I heard encouraging
words such as, “I know what it tastes like, I know there is going to be
food wastes, so I don’t have to eat it – or simply say to yourself –
just say no. Remember that no means no.” The positive sayings along with
some health concerns motivated me to lose the weight.
In closing here is the thought for the day - Never believe in Never. |
Queen
Evelyn Hjelm
Lost 75.75#
I am honored to represent SD as
Queen for 2008. April 2004 I joined TOPS. I made a pact with the Lord I
would go to mass each morning if he would help me lose some weight. I
started walking ten blocks to church each morning. In addition, ride the
stationary bike for an hour every day. Today I have been successful at
shedding eighty pounds over the course of four years.
TOPS #SD 370, Woonsocket, welcomed me with enthusiasm. Each week
everyone takes a turn sharing motivating lessons. It helps us all to
discuss our daily tribulations. I have remained dedicated to our
chapter, missing only three meetings in five years.
May 1990 my husband passed leaving me alone on the farm. Our family is
made up of five boys and two girls. Until 2003, I stayed on the farm
keeping busy with gardening, yard work, and housework. Finally, I
decided it was time to move to an apartment in the small town of
Woonsocket.
Mr. Dr. is also incredibly proud too. I had some health problems that
made me think about the changes I needed to make. In 1990, I had a heart
problem and my cholesterol was 264. With my walking and medication, I
now have reduced my cholesterol to 164. My lab results are outstanding
as well. In 2000, I had a kidney removed due to cancer. During surgery,
the Dr. cut into my spleen because I was too fat. He would not admit
that was the reason but he made it very clear it was easy to perform
surgery on thin people.
I have learned to watch my calories and fat intake. I have found that
reading labels and watching portion size is essential to a healthy
weight. I am strict with not allowing cookies and cake being part of my
daily menu. In addition, I always get plenty of exercise by walking
around the lake, to church, to eat lunch with friends, and of course my
stationary bike.
I sincerely thank all of my TOPS friends in Woonsocket for your words of
encouragement and endless support. It would not have been done without
you. Now that I have found a comfortable weight to maintain, I will
continue to work hard as a member of KOPS and continue to encourage
others to do the same. |
