Leading “Losers” for 2023 from the
International Weight-LossOrganization Announced
Vonnie Welton, before
TOPS Club, Inc. (Take Off Pounds SensiblySM), the nonprofit weight-loss support organization, has begun unveiling its top “royalty” for 2023. TOPS® royalty are women and men who have officially recorded the largest weight loss from their starting weight at the end of the year, regardless of the time taken to reach their goal. Vonnie Welton of Karns City, who lost 114.5 pounds, and Henry Bielmyer of Holtwood, who lost 25.8 pounds, are the 2023 Pennsylvania Queen and King. They were honored in April and May at Pennsylvania recognition events throughout the state.
Vonnie’s story. “I had been overweight since I was six years old. I fought my weight problem with short-lived success. You know the cycle – have some success, slack off, gain it back, repeat. Every time I tried a new diet it was the same.
In 1999, I started TOPS when my sister, Connie, and our friend, Kay convinced me to join them. The scales tipped for me at more than 250 pounds. I had a little success in 2003, but it took me 20 more years to reach my goal.
Vonnie Welton, after.
TOPS has kept me accountable and given me the tools to be persistent over the last 24 years. I like that TOPS allows us to follow the plan that works for us. They understand there isn’t a “one size fits all” solution. What works for me is tracking calories and attending the meetings.
I love my TOPS chapter, as we are like a close-knit family. They helped me continue when I thought I would never reach my goal. I love that we say the Pledge of Allegiance at our weekly meetings because “one nation under God” is very important to me.
This journey has been long and winding, and I did not believe I would reach my goal. My chapter kept me accountable through all the ups and downs. Being an example for my granddaughter Julianna, who recently joined TOPS, keeps me on track.”
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. Pennsylvania has an adult obesity rate of 33.4%, and in 2023, TOPS members in Pennsylvania lost a cumulative 13,334 pounds.
“All of us in TOPS are immensely proud of our members’ weight-loss achievements,” said TOPS President Rick Danforth, who maintained a 100-pound weight loss for 15 years. “Through their TOPS membership, these individuals can honor their life-altering successes, other members, and those who have preceded them. By maintaining their allegiance to lifestyle modifications, a hallmark of TOPS’ winning formula, TOPS members apply the tools they’re provided and the backing of their peers to attain 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 are encouraged to try more than one chapter since they’re all a little different.
For online membership, meetings are conducted via Zoom and are offered at least five 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 $49 per year in the U.S. and $59 annually in Canada, plus nominal chapter fees. Join TOPS, visit www.tops.org, or call 800-932-8677 to learn more about TOPS and to find a local chapter.
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. Today there are about 65,000 members, including men, women, and international members who join chapter meetings online, with thousands of chapters in all 50 states and Canada. TOPS also has an online program for people who might prefer that model or who live too far to attend in-person chapter meetings. Online resources include news and information from the health and inspirational community, meal planning ideas, workouts, chapter resources, and more.
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