2009 Weight Loss Recognized by TOPS International

In 2009, I lost 78.5 pounds. This was the second most weight loss for my division at the TOPS International and I was recognized for it at a recent convention in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

I was humbled, honored and inspired all at the same time to be recognized by TOPS International in this way. At one point, we were about ready to drop out of TOPS, because we thought I would no longer be allowed to be in it after having had the surgery. Low and behold, they want to support weight loss even through this means, so they have formed a separate division to be supportive of our continued healthy life style.

There were so many everyday people who were being recognized because they too had lost a considerable amount of weight and they all had the following common traits in common: Commitment, Eating Right, Exercising Regularly and having a Support System/Team in place (in this case TOPS).

Gloria has been my best supporter in this journey of weight loss. But also Holly Spurlock, my trainer at the YMCA, and the entire Orrville TOPS Chapter OH #1982, have been there encouraging me on a very regular and frequent basis. I am sure I could not have gotten this far without them. I am certain, that I will not be able to keep it off if I would not continue to have a Support System like them.

I also need to acknowledge the Weight Loss Surgery Support Group in Canton, led by Terri Black. They are my primary support group of others who have had the weight loss surgery. It is always comforting and informative about what I am going through having had the surgery. Often times I realize what I am going through is pretty common.

Well here are some pictures of the convention. Again I appreciate the recognition of my significant weight loss last year, but also realize that it is not that unusual for those who have had the surgery. But at the same time, I realize that I am doing quite well on my weight loss, with hopefully only 10-15 lbs. to get to my goal weight of under 200 lbs. Lord willing.

This is at the convention showing you the size of it. those holding the lights in the Circle of Lights have met their goals and have kept their weight off (one for 50 years). I forget exactly how many were in attendance, but it filled up the ice hockey arena.



My getting my certificate from the TOPS President, taken from the projection screen on stage.

During the telling of my story, they projected my before picture onto the screen. Click here to go to the TOPS website, go to the bottom of the list then click on my name.

I am the fourth from the left in the picture below.

Then we had a receiving line that so many congratulated and encouraged us.