TOPS queen, runner-up share weight loss tips
By ROWENA PLETT
Staff writer
There's at least one time in life when it's good to be a loser. That is when a person is trying to shed pounds.
Bertie Pritz and Lou Roberts, both of Marion, decided more than 10 years ago to lose weight, and they stuck with it until they reached their goals.
Bertie, 65, recently was crowned the new queen of TOPS #KS 899 chapter in Marion. She joined the group in 1996 and lost 38 1/2 pounds to meet her goal of 150 pounds. She is five feet, six-and-a-half inches tall.
Lou was a charter member in May 1995 and lost 35 pounds to reach her goal of 150 pounds. She is 5-4.
"We know the exact day we met our goal, and we will never forget it," Bertie said. For her, it was Dec. 4, 2006. For Lou, it was Aug. 28, 2006.
TOPS stands for "Take Off Pounds Sensibly." When Bertie and Lou reached their goals, they became KOPS: "Keep Off Pounds Sensibly."
To retain KOPS status, they have to stay within a range of three pounds above or seven pounds below goal. If they fall outside that range for two weeks in a row, they will lose their KOPS status.
The Marion group has two other KOPS, Mary Olson and Marie Hoffner.
Bertie and Lou said they were motivated to join TOPS and lose weight by seeing what was happening to other family members who were obese.
Bertie said several of her relatives became like invalids, unable to get around well. Lou said she saw the health problems caused by overweight.
"To lose weight is a choice," she declared.
The women shared several strategies they used to gradually lose weight and keep it off.
Drinking eight eight-ounce glasses of water a day is important, they said. Lou utilizes a string of beads to keep track of how many she has consumed. Bertie fills a half-gallon container and drinks that throughout the day.
Both women also have learned to eat smaller portions, measuring them occasionally to stay within the right amount.
When they eat out, they eat just half of their meal. Both work at eating more fruits and vegetables and eliminate butter from cooked vegetables. After family gatherings, they give extra food away or throw it out.
Lou eats one-fourth cup of almonds when she gets especially hungry. Bertie relies on nuts for most of her protein. They eat more fish and chicken than red meat.
Both women find that eating something before going to bed helps them sleep. Bertie likes to eat a bowl of oatmeal with milk. Lou sometimes drinks half a glass of milk or eats half an apple with a bit of peanut butter.
Lou likes to mix cottage cheese with tomato pieces and add a bit of vinaigrette and mayonnaise for a tangy taste. Bertie mixes cottage cheese with sugar-free Jell-O, lets it set up, then fills crunchy ice cream cones with the mixture.
Fresh carrots and low-fat yogurt are other healthful choices.
Both women agreed it was important to "keep moving." They sometimes walk in the fellowship hall at Eastmoor Church during inclement weather. They try not to sit too long at one time, even pacing around the house at times. Lou likes to do yard work in the spring.
"When you keep busy, you don't think about food," Lou said. "When my clothes start to feel tight, I get worried and cut back because I don't want to go to the next larger size."
Lou has given away her larger-sized clothes, and Bertie has had to buy new clothes to fit her smaller size.
"I advise young people to start controlling their weight at a younger age because it's harder when you get older," Lou said.
"And to do it sensibly," Bertie added.
TOPS #KS 899 meets every Monday evening in the basement of St. Luke Clinic. An elevator is available.
"I think the group is fantastic," Lou said. "They pull for each other and are so supportive."
Members weigh in every week. The TOPS member who loses the most that week gets to wear a red cardboard crown and receives $2.
The KOPS member who weighs in closest to her goal without being over gets to wear a green cardboard crown and also earns $2.
They all say a TOPS pledge. Bertie and Lou and the other KOPS say a KOPS pledge:
"I am an intelligent person. I have controlled my emotions and not let my emotions control me. Every time I am tempted to use food to satisfy my frustrated desires, build up my injured ego, or dull my senses, I will remember that I am to be an example of what TOPS can do, as I Keep Off Pounds Sensibly."
Lou is the current leader, a position she has held four times. There are 28 members at present, of which two are men.
Bertie and Lou have earned pins or charms for numerous accomplishments along the way such as a 10-pound loss, 100 miles of walking, best loser, steady loser, perfect attendance, and office holder.
They are especially proud of the KOPS pins they received from the international TOPS organization after reaching their goals.
"It's been an adventure," Bertie said.
Bertie and Lou will be stars this weekend in a TOPS State Recognition Day in Salina for chapter queens and runners-up. TOPS member and former leader, Joan Fitzpatrick, will be there to join in the applause.
They have proved that, with persistence and resolve, weight loss is possible at any age.
