It takes a supportive network to lose weight

The road to losing 88 pounds hasn’t been easy for Linda Schadler, who was named Queen at the TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) annual State Recognition Day held Saturday at the Radisson Airport Hotel.

Her journey with TOPS, a non-profit weight loss support organization, began in February of 2016 when her trusted friend and TOPS member Kathy Woodruff encouraged her to attend. Weighing 266 pounds, she acted on that advice and joined five months after undergoing double knee replacement surgery. At the time she wasn’t walking, not even across the street, and was ready to make some changes. However, frustration set in quickly for the new member, “When I first started, I expected immediate results,” she says. “I initially gained, so I was aggravated because I was like ‘How am I gaining when I’m doing everything right?’” Many times she threw her pound book (used to record calorie intake and weight loss/ gain) across the floor, but says someone was always there to pick it up. She quickly came to the realization that she wasn’t going through this battle by herself; that doesn’t happen in an organization that prides itself on the abundance of camaraderie and support it offers. “Chapter #38 (East Greenwich) is the heart and soul of what I’ve done - it’s given me my inspiration,” she says. Her undying passion and appreciation for the members of her chapter are clearly evident as she tells her story and humbly credits them for her success. Now walking four miles a day, she proudly wears a size 16 in blue jeans, down from size 26 when she started TOPS a little over a year ago. Upon being named Queen, she will now represent RI at the International Recognition Days held July 12-15 in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Started in 1948 by Esther Manz, TOPS has seen significant growth throughout the years, now boasting more than 125,000 members across North America. Rhode Island membership is spread across ten chapters, and twice a year, members are awarded for their achievements. In autumn, there is a casual Fall Rally, and in spring, they have their State Recognition Day. It was here that the Queen was crowned, and also many other awards handed out. Among them are the KOPS awards (Keep Off Pounds Sensibly), which is when one is recognized for achieving and maintaining their goal weight.

Prior to awards, members were shown an inspirational slide show by Regional Director Judith Pettit, who also spoke candidly about everyone’s situation. “If you choose to change, you will be in charge of your situation,” she said. Shortly after, she asked the crowd how many believe in angels, and most everyone in attendance raised their hands. The room quieted as she continued to speak.

“Angels can be someone kind and caring. We have to find what lifts us up and start there.” It took 25 years of her TOPS membership to achieve KOPS status. “I couldn’t decide between spaghetti and homemade french fries, so I had both.”

Now, she offers advice for new-comers and veterans alike: “Set a goal that’s good for you - that way you don’t make excuses.” A member for half her life, she describes one of the things that keeps her coming back. “We do fellowship best,” she says, while speaking of the closeness among members.

One of those members, Nicole Johnson-Morais of Chapter #44 in Warwick, started the group in 2015 and has successfully made a second ‘family’ out of her team. “My chapter is so supportive and just awesome, I love them all!” she says, while discussing the bond they share. “It’s a wonderful support group, and everyone has become like family to each other.” What began as a 4-member group around her kitchen table has turned into a fun-loving group of 27 who meet on Wednesday evenings at St. Rita Church. “I have members from all over,” she says. Her group includes not only Warwick residents, but also members from North Kingstown, Coventry, Johnston, Cranston, and Riverside.

While chapter meetings are basically run the same way, with private weigh-ins (beginning at 6:30 to 6:45 p.m. for Warwick), roll call, sharing of support, etc., leaders are able to add their own twists amongst the group.

“We do lots of fun things at the meetings, such as having guests come in and do Zumba, Country Heat, yoga, and other programs,” Nicole says. “We, as a family, are also doing things outside of our meetings, such as runs and walks, just another step in our journey to being healthy.”

They not only support and encourage each other along the way, but also collectively give back to the community as well. Later this month, they will be starting a garden at St. Rita Church, where they will share with each other and the church food pantry (where Nicole is the coordinator). “We also applied to ‘Adopt-an-Island’ in Oakland Beach,” she says, “where we will groom and take care of it as a chapter.”

Dues for TOPS memberships are $32 annually, plus minimal chapter fees which are usually well below $5. In addition to never-ending support, members receive TOPS magazine, which offers inspirational stories, news, and recipes. The company estimates that if current trends continue, half of the U.S. will be obese by 2030, also stating that its members have lost a total of over 300 tons in 2015. For more information on TOPS or to find a local chapter, visit www.tops.org or call 800-932-8677.