2007 State King

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Thomas Luker

TOPS® #MS 320, Aberdeen

40.5 Pounds to goal

It has been my joy to eat anything and everything I wanted to all of my life. I cannot say I wasn't overweight for I have always been overweight. I had the "don't waste food" syndrome. It was not something that was easy for me to break either.

 

My wife, Janet belonged to a TOPS® chapter that had a contest where she would get points for bringing in a guest. She took me to her meeting and I was hooked. I loved the idea of working with these people that treated me like family.  We all had the same goal in mind and that was to be healthy.  When I saw them pass the fine cup around, I knew that I always wanted to say I had lost weight.

 

I have learned how to eat more of the vegetables that I needed and less breads and feel just as full. Breads have always been a weakness for me. I have learned that I have to leave it off or at worse, have just a small amount.

 

Our entire family diets so there aren't many sweets and breads in the house any longer. Leaving off soda and tea has made me realize how much better I feel and it has helped me lose weight.  I started drinking lots of water. As a construction worker, I was able to get my exercise in. On the weekends I walk with Janet.

 

My TOPS® chapter #320, Aberdeen, helped to keep me motivated with phone calls, contests and six-week-challenges. Even as a KOPS® this helps me maintain my weight. Losing Weight wasn't easy, but I sure feel a lot better.  I never thought I would be  King or any sort, and I have a hard time believing it now. What a wonderful feeling it is for me. If I can be King anyone can be King with the Lord's help.

2007 State Queen

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Janet Luker

TOPS® #MS 320, Aberdeen

121.5 pounds to goal

 

Representing you as Mississippi State TOPS® Queen is so exciting. I can't tell you how thrilled I am to be standing here.

 

When I was a teenager, I thought that dieting was seeing how long I could go without food.  I didn't know that I was destroying my metabolism.  After I joined TOPS®. I learned how to diet healthy. As long as fresh fruits and vegetables are at the top of my meal plan, I know that I will succeed. Adding exercise that I enjoy to my daily schedule helped me lose weight with the help of God. Even though I knew what to do, there were many times that I let life give me an excuse to eat; it seemed like it would happen every time I'd get it set in my head to really stick with it.  All of a sudden, I would realize what was happening and get right back on track.

 

At this point I would feel so disappointed with myself that I wanted to give up. As you can see, I didn't go to that extreme.  My feelings were always instilled in my head that I wanted to get this weight off and be successful. I am so proud to call my TOPS® chapter #MS 320, Aberdeen my family. They have been there with me, by me and for me as life threw those curve balls at me, always encouraging me to swing back and to make it a grand slam!  I have more than just my TOPS® family cheering me on. The entire North MS TOPS® are wanted to see my mama crown me as State Queen.

 

As I stand here, I can't think of anyone I'd rather have crown me than my mama even though I remember when that wouldn't have been such a good thing!!!

 

I wonder as I stand here who I might have the honor of crowning next year - it could be YOU. I hope you know that this may be you!  All you have to do is keep getting up every time you fall down which, of course, takes a lot of determination and God's help, but as many times as I've fallen down, I feel like I'm proof that anyone can become a KOPS® as long as they don't give up.

 

I would like to say a special thanks to my family who have been so supportive during this weight loss journey and for all of you, as TOPS® friends, the kind words you have given in the way of support can never be replaced with anything. It is such an honor to stand here with my husband as MS State TOPS® King and we both look forward to representing you well in Chicago this July.

King: Thomas Luker

TOPS® #MS 320, Aberdeen 

40.5 pounds to goal

 

Queen: Janet Luker

TOPS® #MS 320, Aberdeen 

121.5 pounds to goal

 

Runner-up King: Edgar Gable

TOPS® #MS 19, Ocean Springs 

# pounds to goal

 

Runner-up Queen: Sandry Marbry

TOPS® #MS 322, Walls 

60.75 pounds to goal