In January 2007, I attended a health fair on the campus where I work. I saw a table with the acronym TOPS. I had never heard of TOPS. The display included “before” and “after” pictures of a lovely lady. When the woman working the booth turned around, I realized I was looking at the woman in the pictures. I had seen magazine advertisements with “before” and “after” pictures displaying weight loss, but always figured the photos were altered. We struck up a conversation and I soon had enough information to share with my husband, Kevin Devoy, who has had similar weight struggles.

Kevin and I had discussed joining a weight-loss support group, but the costs were always just too much for us to join together. We began researching and found a local TOPS chapter. We joined the first night. Within the first four months, we found ourselves having great success. We even started our current chapter: TOPS #IL 2561, Mount Vernon. What a gift TOPS has been in our lives. The knowledge we take away from the meetings each week—both through our friends and through the talks given—is so rewarding.

Although I will likely always struggle and will need to continue with baby steps, I need to remember the words uttered—the words spoken by Dad, words of friends in TOPS/KOPS, and the words from the KOPS Pledge that I often repeat to myself: “I AM an intelligent person….I AM to be an example of what TOPS can do as I Keep Off Pounds Sensibly.”

I know that without TOPS in my life, I could have easily backslidden. The accountability and support is priceless!