More than 60 Colorado Chapters use TOPS Weight Loss Strategy

Is there a proven weight loss program that does not require adhering to a specific meal plan or buying certain foods in order to be effective? For many Coloradans participating in “TOPS” (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), the answer is Yes. One 82-year-old Colorado participant was profiled in a senior-focused monthly magazine as having used TOPS for close to 30 years as she successfully shed 100 pounds, an achievement she has maintained that she says probably saved her life. So what exactly is TOPS? According to its website, it was founded in 1948 and is “all about connection and support.” “Our members help each other physically, mentally and emotionally,” TOPS says, with “the accountability you’ve been looking for, and unwavering support – all in an accepting, non-judgmental environment.” The key to success is said to lie in connecting with others who are also struggling with losing weight. TOPS promises “no cookie-cutter diets, no gimmicks, no trendy shortcuts” in “a first of its kind noncommercial weight-loss support group.” There are thousands of chapters in the U.S. and Canada, including a little more than 60 across Colorado. TOPS members get the following: Weekly meetings, either in-person or online; a subscription to member-only resources, including healthy eating tips, recipes, and fitness guides; a step-by-step guide on how to get started; a subscription to the member magazine; access to monthly webinars on the latest from the medical community; and access to a TOPS storefront. A first in-person meeting is free, where you can listen in and observe, or jump right in and start participating. Annual membership is as low as $49. See details about TOPS at https://tops.org/. To locate a TOPS meeting in Colorado, visit https://www.tops.org/tops/TOPS/FindAMeeting.aspx.