(file photo/paNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Take Pounds off Sensibly

Dropping weight and picking up community

Jul 20, 2019 | 12:00 PM

Losing weight in a responsible way can be a tricky task at the best of times.

But as with many of life’s tougher goals, having the right support system in place can make all the difference.

Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) is a group dedicated to healthy eating and weight loss in the Battlefords.

Open to all, TOPS members meet every Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Hope Mennonite Fellowship in North Battleford.

Joan Amyotte, who helps organize the meetings, said TOPS is for all who wish to partake in a healthy lifestyle.

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“We are a small group, but we support each other,” she said. “We’re very friendly towards each other. You don’t find that you’re embarrassed or feeling like you shouldn’t be there; we make everyone feel welcome and that’s the main thing for our support group. You’re not under any pressure to take off pounds, you do it on your own and you’re praised for it.”

TOPS is a network of weight-loss support groups located throughout North America. It has been offered in the Battlefords for about 25 years as a way to give those in the area a community of similarly-motivated people to lean on and liaise with in their weight loss journey.

Featuring a variety of programing, including nutritionist and dietitian guest speakers, walking clinics, and activities, the weekly meetings offer unique challenges and informative sessions for those in the group.

Mary Johannesen, Amyotte’s sponsor with the group, has been a member of TOPS for 18 years. She said while she was initially a bit leery to attend her first meeting, once she did, she was glad she had.

“Once you get there and feel the atmosphere of the club, I just felt no pressure,” she said. “Before long I lost my [goal] weight, and the friendships and welcoming attitude brought me back.”

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1