Successful Losers; Weight Loss Support Group is TOPS

Weight Watchers has Sarah Ferguson, the former Duchess of York. Jenny Craig has actress Kirstie Alley.

And Take Off Pounds Sensibly, an international weight loss support group founded in 1948, has South Shore teens Evan Weeden and Ashley Cormier as its unofficial spokesman and spokeswoman.

Weeden and Cormier, teenagers from Plymouth, aren’t exactly household names. But they’re attractive, well spoken and really big losers – ideal role models for overweight adolescents trying to slim down. Weeden, 17, joined the Carver chapter of TOPS two years ago. He lost 104 pounds in 13 months and has maintained his goal weight for a year. Cormier, 16, has lost about 45 pounds since she joined last September; she has 20 or 30 more pounds to go. The two teens were recognized as the top losers in their age group at the 2005 Massachusetts TOPS Recognition Day. “When you lose the weight, you feel more confident,” said Cormier. “In March, I was nominated for Prom Queen. I didn’t win, but it was nice because I felt that losing weight helped me.” TOPS is the oldest international, nonprofit weight-loss support group. There are approximately 200,000 members and 10,000 chapters worldwide, primarily in the United States and Canada. Annual dues are $20; monthly chapter dues are about $5. Last year, TOPS members lost a total of 1.1 million pounds. The average loss per chapter was 102.8 pounds. Unlike in commercial weight loss programs like Weight Watchers or Jenny Craig, there are no special foods to buy or specific diets to follow. Instead, each TOPS member consults his or her own doctor to set a goal weight and an individual nutrition and exercise plan. TOPS members provide support and share weight-loss tips at chapter meetings. “You’re never completely cured (of the desire to overeat); you always have to watch it,” said Weeden. “That’s why I keep going to TOPS.” Chapter meetings begin with private weigh-ins: each member’s weight is recorded and the number of pounds gained or lost for each member and the entire chapter is calculated. Then there’s role call: each member announces whether he or she gained weight, lost weight or stayed the same. To members who’ve gained, the group says, “we’re glad you’re here; better luck next time.” To members who have lost weight or remained the same, there’s applause. Members who have maintained their goal weight – called KOPS, for “Keeping Off Pounds Sensibly” – are also recognized. And the member who has lost the most during the week wins a prize. For new TOPS members Michelle, 31, and Joe La Rosa, 32, from Carver, it’s the weigh-ins, contests and reminders from their children, 4-year-old Jessica and 6-year- old Kristen, that keep them on track. “I don’t want to stand in front of 45 people and say I’ve gained weight. That’s what motivates me,” said Joe La Rosa. “And when we get home, the kids always ask, ‘Did you lose? Did you gain?’”

Since joining TOPS in January, Michelle La Rosa has lost 25 pounds. Her husband joined in May and has lost 11 pounds. Michelle won the weekly “biggest loser” contest two times; Joe won it once. Making lifestyle changes is the secret to their success. Michelle now throws away her children’s leftovers instead of putting the food on her plate. Joe, a pharmacist, stopped snacking at work. The whole family takes walks and bike rides together. And the girls are learning about healthy eating and supporting their parents’ efforts to lose weight and keep it off. TOPS on the South Shore

Abington, Monday, 6:30 p.m., Joy in Christ church, Route 18. Braintree, Friday, 6:45 p.m., All Souls church, 196 Elm St. Carver, Tuesday, 6:30 p.m., Carver Library, 108 Main St. Duxbury, Friday, 10 a.m., senior center, 10 Mayflower St. Halifax, Tuesday, 7 p.m., United Church of Christ, 503 Plymouth St. Hanover, Thursday, 6:45 p.m., First Congregational Hall, 515 Hanover St. Holbrook, Thursday, 7 p.m., Methodist Church, 60 Plymouth St. Holbrook, Thursday, 7 p.m., Holbrook Court. Quincy, Wednesday, 10:15 a.m., Granite Place, 125 Granite St. Weymouth, Tuesday, 7 p.m., Weymouth Heights Club, North Street. Weymouth, Wednesday, 7:20 p.m., Weymouth Heights Club, North Street. Whitman, Tuesday, 7 p.m., council on aging, Hayden Avenue For more information, see the web site, www.tops.org, or call the Massachusetts TOPS coordinator, Barbara DeVita, at 978-658- 7053.

– VALERIE A. RUSSO

For LIving Well