The TOPS^® Story

As a nonprofit, noncommercial wellness organization, TOPS has helped millions to Take Off Pounds Sensibly since 1948. Here’s how we did it, with small steps leading to big achievements.

Esther Manz and three homemakers start TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly).

Esther Manz turns down a $1 million offer to “buy” TOPS, vowing to forever put people before profits.

TOPS contributes $250,000 ($1.8 million in today’s dollars) to begin the Obesity and Metabolic Research Program.

An independent study published in the journal Obesity followed 42,500 members over three years and found TOPS works as well as commercial weight-loss programs—but costs less.

The TOPSGenome Project is launched at Texas Biomedical Institute in San Antonio, Texas.  This new project aims to build on the many years of scientific advances through study of DNA samples provided by TOPS members who volunteered to participate. Anyone–not just TOPS members may participate in this groundbreaking study.  Learn more.

TOPS announces its Million Pounds Mission, an initiative by TOPS president Barbara Cady, encouraging members to take off and keep off a collective one million pounds in 2017.

In all, TOPS members lost 538,003.83 lb. and KOPS members maintained losses totaling 472,132.91 lb. to reach the Million Pounds Mission goal with a grand total of 1,010,136.74 lb.!

Although TOPS had been expanding its online presence for years prior to this point, the growth of the organization in the virtual world was especially seen and felt in 2020, considering the rise of COVID-19 and the "hold" the pandemic had on the globe. In-person meetings were temporarily halted, but members held strong and embraced our supportive online community.

TOPS is excited to be celebrating its 75th anniversary! Plans are in the works to recognize this major milestone.