Jerry Boudreau, Pennsylvania
Although Jerry Boudreau thinks of himself as someone who usually has things well under control, he struggled with a weight problem most of his life. Jerry stepped on the scale and was shocked to find that he weighed nearly 240 pounds. "I realized I was losing the battle," he recalls. A newspaper ad about TOPS piqued his curiosity. He attended a meeting and liked what he found. "That, along with all my newfound friends, finally gave me the push I needed," he says. Jerry changed his eating habits and started exercising. He is now 34 pounds lighter, "I will be an active member of TOPS for the rest of my life," he declares.

Angela Farley,  Michigan
Angela Farley never achieved long-term weight loss success with fad diets. After joining TOPS in 2001, Angela was able to lose over 130 pounds and has maintained that loss since 2003. In addition to the support of TOPS, Angela attributes her success to closely monitoring her food intake by journaling, daily exercise and drinking water. Her mantra is, “If I have the time to bite it, I have the time to write it.”

Recently, Angela was chosen as a suitable kidney donor for a close friend—something she would not have been eligible for at her previous weight. Angela states, “I knew that losing weight would prolong my life, but I had no idea it would one day enable me to prolong the life of another.”</ font>

Marlene Pixley, Alberta
Marlene Pixley joined TOPS in 1974, lost 27 pounds and has kept it off for over 26 years with commitment and perseverance. Since beginning TOPS, Marlene has learned and shared the keys to weight-loss success. "Make sure that your health stays your number one focus," she explains. "Through the years, my purpose for weight control has changed from my original 'appearance-oriented goal' to the much more important 'health- oriented goal.' The programs and diets that seem too good to be true usually are. It is important to take it off sensibly, in order to keep it off sensibly." 

Gale Stout,  Colorado
Gale Stout says she joined TOPS very “insecure and self-conscious” of her weight, but through the kindness and support of her chapter, she quickly learned that she did not have to feel so bad about herself. As an active member for 34 years, Gale has held every chapter officer role over the years.

For Gale, TOPS has never been just a weekly meeting, but rather a priority and a way of life. As a 29-year KOPS (a member who has maintained their weight loss), she has compassion for the members and genuinely cares about the future of TOPS. “TOPS has given me my life, my self-esteem, and many dear friends. I am truly indebted to this organization.”

Gary Wellington,  Washington
Although Gary Wellington spent his career in a highly physical field-construction-his weight was always a problem. He and his wife, Carlene, "have tried all the diets," Gary says. "We've gone on crash diets and had short-term losses, but nothing worked for long." Even after Carlene joined TOPS, Gary stuck to binge eating and oversized portions. His weight rose to about 340 pounds. Finally, a health crisis provided "a wake-up call," Gary says. "I landed in the hospital with a serious blood clot that turned into pulmonary embolism." After he recovered, Gary joined TOPS. He lost 95 pounds, including 61 pounds as a TOPS member, and has kept the weight off since 1990. "When making the necessary lifestyle changes for weight loss, Gary says, "Most people can't do these things by themselves. You must have support. TOPS can furnish that support." 

Barbara Hartley,  Internet Ambassador
In 1996, Barbara Hartley and her husband received a "quick start" Internet disc from an Internet Service Provider. Barbara' s first comment was "I don' t play games on the computer." However, they installed the software anyway and that very night opened an online chat room for TOPS members. Two TOPS members from South Carolina were the first to visit the chat room, and the women became fast friends. Soon, Barbara was starting TOPS loops, where a group of people sign up to receive daily messages from others on the list. For many people, she says, daily contact and support through the loops, in addition to their weekly chapter meetings, can make all the difference in their weight-loss success.