Expert Advice and Virtual Support
Our goal at TOPS has always been to help you focus on your safe and healthy journey to wellness. Individuals at any weight or size can take small steps to better health, especially with guidance from our TOPS Talks presenters, who have decades of combined experience in a variety of settings including medicine, obesity research and one-on-one patient care. At the conclusion of each presentation, members will have the opportunity to ask direct questions to help support their efforts to better health.
Upcoming TOPS Talks
February’s Bonus TOPS Talk: The Science of Social Fitness and Why It Matters
Join us on February 26 at 1:00 PM (CST) for this month’s second fascinating TOPS Talk with Steve Burke of Grouper as we explore the science behind social fitness. How do our relationships shape our wellness choices? Why is social support so important for long-term health? Steve will break down the research and share insights on how building strong connections can positively impact your well-being.
With experience managing relationships for some of Grouper’s largest market partners, Steve is passionate about helping people find welcoming communities built around shared interests. Even though Grouper is only available in the U.S., all members are encouraged to join this dynamic and informative presentation. His engaging approach makes this a Talk you won’t want to miss!
If you can’t join us live, don’t worry! We’ll have the recording ready for you to watch within a week.
March’s TOPS Talk: Finding Your Peace Amid Change
Join us on March 15 at 10:00 AM (CST) for this month’s insightful TOPS Talk with Deanna Bies, TOPS Board member and Vice President. In a world of constant change, we all experience losses, both big and small, that often go unrecognized. From shifts in personal relationships to changes in daily routines, these transitions can carry hidden emotional weight.
Deanna will explore how these subtle losses affect our well-being and lead us through a gentle breathing exercise and guided meditation to help release tension and foster inner peace.
If you can’t join us live, don’t worry! We’ll have the recording ready for you to watch within a week.
April’s TOPS Talk: Successful Exchange Strategies
Join us on Tuesday, April 22 at 7:00 PM (CST) as we dive into the “exchange way of eating” with retreat director Cynthia Mack. This TOPS Talk will provide practical tools and strategies to help you take ownership of your eating plan!
From "doing the math" to building sustainable habits, we'll explore ways to make the Exchange System work for you—whether you're actively working toward your goal or maintaining your success. It's not about perfection; it's about learning, tracking, repetition and honesty.
Don't miss this opportunity to strengthen your approach and feel more confident in your choices.
If you can’t join us live, don’t worry! A recording will be available within a week.
April’s Bonus TOPS Talk: A TOPS News Recipe in Action
Join us on Wednesday, April 30, at 12:00 PM (CST) as TOPS Nutrition and Fitness Editor Rachel Werner and TOPS President Rick Danforth bring a featured recipe from the upcoming May/June issue of TOPS News to life.
Get an inside look on how to put together Marathon Bento Boxes perfect for travelling, pick up practical tips and see how it all comes together in real time. Whether you're looking for fresh meal ideas or just enjoy watching a recipe take shape, this is a session you won’t want to miss.
Register now to save your spot! If you can’t join us live, don’t worry! A recording will be available within a week.
May’s TOPS Talk: How Your Microbiome Impacts Health and Weight Loss
Gut health plays a powerful role in how we feel—and how our bodies function. On Friday, May 9 at 12:00 PM (CST), learn how the balance of bacteria in your gut can influence everything from digestion to energy levels.
In this session, you'll explore how gut bacteria can support (or stall) your weight-loss efforts, the difference between helpful and harmful microbes and simple ways to promote a healthier gut microbiome.
Presenter Jana Comer brings both scientific insight and personal experience to the table. She has a Master’s degree in biochemistry and molecular biology and spent years researching bacterial genetics. Jana is also a longtime TOPS member who lost over 100 pounds to reach her goal weight in 2021 and now serves as a TOPS Advocate.
If you can’t join us live, don’t worry! A recording will be available within a week.
TOPS Talks
Stay tuned for more upcoming webinar topics on health, nutrition, fitness, motivation and wellness.
TOPS Talks
June's TOPS Talk: Science or Myth: The Latest on Fat-Burning Supplements
Join us Tuesday, June 3, at 9:30 AM (CT) for an insightful TOPS Talk with TOPS Medical Editor Dr. Vidya Kidambi.
Fat-burning supplements are widely marketed as quick solutions for weight loss, but their effectiveness and safety remain questionable. This talk will explore the science behind commonly used ingredients, examine the risks and regulatory challenges and help distinguish evidence from marketing claims.
Dr. Srividya Kidambi is a Professor of Medicine and Chief of Endocrinology at the Medical College of Wisconsin. A nationally recognized expert in obesity and diabetes care, she also leads the TOPS Obesity and Metabolic Research Center and directs the Comprehensive Weight Loss Program at Froedtert & MCW.
August’s TOPS Talk: Naturally Optimizing Your Mental Health with Vaidehi Patel, ND
Feeling anxious, down or totally stressed out? You’re not alone—and there are natural ways to support your mental health. On Thursday, August 7, at 6 PM (CT), Dr. Vaidehi Patel will break down what’s really going on behind anxiety, depression and stress, and the sneaky habits and lifestyle factors that might be making things worse. Then we’ll dive into simple, science-backed ways to feel better—think better sleep, smarter food choices, movement, mindset shifts and more. These approaches can complement other forms of support you may already be using in your mental health toolkit. It’s all about small changes that make a huge difference in how you feel every day.
Dr. Vaidehi Patel, ND, is a licensed naturopathic doctor and a member of CONO, OAND and CAND. She holds a Doctor of Naturopathy degree and a background in life sciences. Dr. Patel uses natural therapies to support your physical, emotional and spiritual well-being, helping you overcome obstacles and make lasting changes for a healthier, more fulfilling life.
As always, if you can’t make it or want to use this TOPS Talk as a chapter program, the recording will be available for you to watch within a week.
September’s TOPS Talk: Be Kind to Your Mind with Ashley Fizer
Did you know that more people suffer from a mental health disorder than heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis and asthma? On September 13, 10 AM (CT), participants will learn all about our beautiful brain, the chemicals that make it run and how we can make simple changes to our everyday routine to be our best selves. We will explore how our mental health is just as important as our physical health when trying to lose weight and will learn some "tips and tricks" that will help participants make lasting changes.
Ashley Fizer, MSW, LCSW, is a mental health therapist specializing in anxiety disorders. She loves helping her clients understand the root of their issues so they can enjoy their life again. Ashley is also a Retreat Director for TOPS and loves helping members find out "what's eating them" so they can get back to their healthy and happy selves. When not working, Ashley enjoys theater, filmmaking and traveling.
Save the Date for July's TOPS Talk
Mark your calendar for our July TOPS Talk: A Fitness Demonstration for All Abilities—happening Saturday, July 19, at 10 AM (CT). Luke Schwendemann, BS, of TripleFit Training LLC in Milwaukee, will guide us through a movement session you can follow from home, no matter your fitness level.
Save the Dates for Summer TOPS Talks
Mark your calendar for Tuesday, June 3rd, at 9:30 AM (CT) for our next Talk with TOPS Medical Editor Vidya Kidambi, MD, MS. Then, keep the momentum going with a fitness demonstration on Saturday, July 19th, at 10 AM (CT) with Luke Schwendemann, BS, of TripleFit Training LLC in Milwaukee, WI.
More info and registration links will be available soon!
Save the Date for September’s TOPS Talk
Join us on Saturday, September 13, at 10 AM CT for "Be Kind to Your Mind” with Ashley Fizer, MSW, LCSW. More information and registration coming soon!
Upcoming TOPS Talks
October's TOPS Talk: Gettin' to the Root of It with Karen McCue
October 21 at 12 PM (CT)
This session is a wellness talk designed to share information in the areas of mind, body and soul. In this session on October 21 at 12 PM (CT), you will learn how to build a personalized toolkit of simple, actionable daily habits that nourish your body and mind. Shift your mindset from temporary fixes to sustainable, lifelong lifestyle changes.
Karen McCue is a certified personal trainer and group fitness instructor at Rooted in Wellness. With more than 34 years of experience in the health and wellness field, she has assisted people in their ability to function successfully in daily life. Her passion centers around education and empowerment. Having fun in the process of becoming rooted in one’s health—physical, mental and social—is a key component in the movement sessions. When not leading fitness classes, Karen enjoys cheering on her hometown sports teams.
October's BONUS TOPS Talk: Your Health, Your Voice: Building Better Conversations with Your Healthcare Team with Ian Patton
October 27 at 11 AM (CT)
For many people, conversations about weight and health can feel uncomfortable, frustrating or even discouraging. Past experiences of stigma, bias or not feeling heard may make it difficult to bring up concerns or ask for the support you need. This session on October 27 at 11 AM (CT) will explore why these discussions have been difficult in the past for many of us, what has changed and how individuals can become confident partners in their own care by building open, respectful conversations with their healthcare team. Participants will learn practical strategies for discussing weight, obesity, treatment options and overall wellness in ways that foster trust, shared decision-making and better health outcomes. Whether you're just beginning your journey or looking for new ways to advocate for yourself, you'll leave empowered to make every health care conversation count.
Ian Patton is the Director of Advocacy and Public Engagement at Obesity Canada, combining his academic expertise and lived experience to drive change in obesity care. He holds a PhD in Kinesiology from Western University and completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Toronto, with research focused on BMI, obesity, and childhood physical activity. As a bariatric surgery patient and national advocate, Ian works to eliminate weight bias and improve access to care for individuals living with obesity.
November's TOPS Talk: Getting the Most Out of Your Hello by Grouper Membership with Koren Sloan
November 13 at 11 AM (CT)
Are you making full use of everything your Hello by Grouper membership offers? In this session, we'll walk through the benefits and services available to you, including some you may not know about. You'll get a live demo showing exactly where to find key features, plus practical tips and suggestions for making your membership work for you. Whether you're brand new or have been a member for a while, you'll leave with at least one new way to get more value from Hello.
As Community Manager for Hello by Grouper, Koren creates vibrant, inclusive spaces where members can connect, learn and thrive. She believes social connection is vital to health and well-being, and her mission is to help every member feel seen, supported and inspired to try something new. Her path with Hello started with movement. She earned a degree in Dance Performance from Kent State University, and after an injury and hip surgery in her twenties, she became fascinated by anatomy and functional movement. That experience shaped her belief that movement is medicine and a key part of aging well. She is a LYT Method certified instructor, personal trainer, biomechanics specialist and somatic facilitator, and holds a B.S. in Applied Behavioral Science from Pennsylvania State University. Whether she's leading a session or helping members find their way around, she brings the same goal: making it easy and enjoyable for people to get the most out of their community.
Looking Ahead
Save the Dates for Summer TOPS Talks
Mark your calendar for Tuesday, June 3rd, at 9:30 AM (CT) for our next Talk with TOPS Medical Editor Vidya Kidambi, MD, MS. Then, keep the momentum going with a fitness demonstration on Saturday, July 19th, at 10 AM (CT) with Luke Schwendemann, BS, of TripleFit Training LLC in Milwaukee, WI.
More info and registration links will be available soon!
How to Register
The registration link for each talk will be available on the TOPS Talks page located in My TOPS Resources. Please note that only TOPS members will be able to register.
Missed a Talk?
Each recorded session will be placed in the Members Area. Chapters and members may access talks on demand. Please allow two business days after each talk for posting.