....and this is Shirley's story!
I heard of TOPS through an article in the newspaper and on February 7, 1968, I went to my first meeting at ON81, London, known as ‘Little Women’ as most chapters had a nick name for the chapter.
I was ashamed and hated myself so much that I couldn’t let anyone know that I joined TOPS. Even my family didn’t know that I was attending a TOPS chapter for over a month. It was very hard for me to admit to anyone in my family that I needed help with my weight issues.
I weighed in at 277 lbs and started losing steadily. My Doctor suggested I give up my babysitting job and get a job which would get me outside the house, which would make it easier for me, which I did. It wasn’t long before I started putting on the pounds again so I stop going to TOPS, and became pregnant with my youngest son. And the following years were a series of back to TOPS, doing well for a while, then not doing well, gaining my weight; stopping and starting like a yo-yo with TOPS.
While I was at IRD Ottawa, in 2003, I had fallen and had to spend time in the hospital and I decided I had to get serious about my weight loss and design a healthy weight loss plan. I’ve been here ever since, as nothing will keep me from being a TOPS member. I have managed to lose weight constantly and started an exercise program. It’s never too late to become serious about weight loss and your health. I am a much happier person and more self confident. I have won many awards and even a few different Division winners’ places, but nothing feels as good as my KOPS status. I became a KOPS in July 17, 2009 with a weight loss of 102.75 lbs.
There were a few people who were a great incentive to me throughout my TOPS life. There was Betty Johnston, who was a member in my chapter, FloAnna Clark, the Coordinator and a long list of TOPS pals. I could not begin to thank or name every person in TOPS who has made this possible, but I do know one thing, TOPS ON81, London has been a blessing to me.
Thanks again
Shirley Allen
I heard of TOPS through an article in the newspaper and on February 7, 1968, I went to my first meeting at ON81, London, known as ‘Little Women’ as most chapters had a nick name for the chapter.
I was ashamed and hated myself so much that I couldn’t let anyone know that I joined TOPS. Even my family didn’t know that I was attending a TOPS chapter for over a month. It was very hard for me to admit to anyone in my family that I needed help with my weight issues.
I weighed in at 277 lbs and started losing steadily. My Doctor suggested I give up my babysitting job and get a job which would get me outside the house, which would make it easier for me, which I did. It wasn’t long before I started putting on the pounds again so I stop going to TOPS, and became pregnant with my youngest son. And the following years were a series of back to TOPS, doing well for a while, then not doing well, gaining my weight; stopping and starting like a yo-yo with TOPS.
While I was at IRD Ottawa, in 2003, I had fallen and had to spend time in the hospital and I decided I had to get serious about my weight loss and design a healthy weight loss plan. I’ve been here ever since, as nothing will keep me from being a TOPS member. I have managed to lose weight constantly and started an exercise program. It’s never too late to become serious about weight loss and your health. I am a much happier person and more self confident. I have won many awards and even a few different Division winners’ places, but nothing feels as good as my KOPS status. I became a KOPS in July 17, 2009 with a weight loss of 102.75 lbs.
There were a few people who were a great incentive to me throughout my TOPS life. There was Betty Johnston, who was a member in my chapter, FloAnna Clark, the Coordinator and a long list of TOPS pals. I could not begin to thank or name every person in TOPS who has made this possible, but I do know one thing, TOPS ON81, London has been a blessing to me.
Thanks again
Shirley Allen
