Staff writer
Instead of exchanging gifts this Christmas, members of the weight-loss club, TOPS KS 1075, Marion, decided to donate food items to Marion County Emergency Food Bank.
They donated 143 pounds of food to correlate with the 143 pounds of weight lost by members in the past year.
TOPS KS 1075, Marion, was established in April 2009 with five charter members. Its goal is to help members “take off pounds sensibly.” The chapter currently has 10 members, of which three are charter members — Lucille Bitner, Estelle McCarty, and Jeanne Maki.
Members weigh in at 8:45 a.m. every Monday at the Hilltop Manor Activity Center. Meetings begin at 9:15 a.m. They are geared to provide positive reinforcement and motivation in adhering to a healthy lifestyle.
The TOPS organization provides a system of competition, awards, recognition for success and effort, and support for continued success.
The chapter has two KOPS, members who have attained their weight-loss goals and are working to “keep off pounds sensibly.”
Bitner of Marion is a 12-year KOPS member. She was a member of a Park City TOPS club before moving to Marion and helping to establish a new chapter. She is the club leader.
Bitner lost 59.75 pounds in one year, dropping from 209.75 pounds to 150 pounds.
Arlene Bowers of Marion also is a KOPS member. She joined the club in June and attained her goal Dec. 2. She lost 25 pounds.
“I didn’t think I could lose the weight on my own,” Bowers said. “TOPS provides accountability.”
To keep their status, KOPS members are required to maintain a weight that ranges between three pounds above and seven pounds below their target weight.
For her successful efforts, Bowers will be crowned the chapter’s TOPS queen for 2010.