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Springfield, Missouri
TOPS MO 0320 Springfield

"My wife reached her goal in 2007 and I reached mine in 2009. We’re a KOPS family."

In 1957, when I joined the Marine Corps, I weighed 215 pounds. I continued gaining and, by 1968, weighed 235 pounds.

My weight escalated until my wife and I joined TOPS in 2000, which was the beginning of our journey to becoming KOPS. At my first weigh in, I tipped the scales at 401 1/2 pounds. We both had tried several types of weight-loss programs but found them extremely difficult and restrictive. Our chapter became a family to us as we made friends that were facing the same challenges we were. The programs were enjoyable, informative, educational, and entertaining.

Although the weight loss wasn’t immediate, it was consistent over time. In December 2007, I was hospitalized with congestive heart failure. I wasn’t ready to die. I still had some living to do. In order to do that, I needed to lose weight. It took nearly dying to make me think about living.  

I began following all the doctor’s orders. I started exercising at home, eating smaller portions, and the weight started melting off. We were losing weight and enjoying it; living life healthier and happier. My wife reached her goal in 2007 and I reached mine in 2009. We’re a KOPS family.