2008 State King

Cranford Heath

TOPS® #NC 7, Kingston

123 Pounds to goal

 

When I joined TOPS, I was 65 years old and digging my way out of the grave. I was living a life of hard work and ignorance. Living on fried meats and potatoes, and vegetables seasoned with food ole fashioned lard, my health continued to decline.

 

In 1988 due to my life style and stress at work, I suffered a heart attack while driving down the interstate. Even cutting back hours at work, my health continued to suffer, being diagnosed with pulmonary disease and diabetes. Then in 1991, I suffered a collapsed lung due to fluid build up caused by my excess weight. In 2003, I was diagnosed with lung cancer and had 2/3 of my lung removed. My declining health caused a great burden on my family.

 

Being under 6’ tall my weight reached 343 pounds. With all my medical problems and excess weight, I was existing but not really living. I knew I had to do something to regain my life. A Co-worker told me about TOPS. She encouraged me until my wife and I joined February 19, 2007.

 

When I joined TOPS, I was using a motorized chair, taking 2 injections of insulin and three diabetic pills a day, several heart and lung medications, breathing treatments three times a day and a CPAP machine and oxygen at night.

 

Now after my life style change of healthy living and exercise. I weigh 213 pounds. Losing 130 pounds, I no longer take insulin, breathing treatments or use Oxygen. Several medications have been discontinued an I only take 1 diabetic pill a day. However the most amazing accomplishment is I no longer use a motorized chair and walk 5 miles a day with absolutely no problems.

 

2008 State Queen

Bernice Pinnix

TOPS® #NC 109, Burlington

91.5 pounds to goal

 

My weight was 261.00lbs and I now weigh 170.00 pounds. I wanted to lose weight for my health due to coping with high blood pressure and I did not want to go on blood pressure medicine. My doctor told me if I would lose ten pounds I may not have to go on the medicine. I started to focus on loosing weight. I did not want to gain another pound.

 

Two of my friends are members of TOPS and I was encouraged to try it. I did and decided to focus very hard on my weight. The TOPS program offered just what I needed, support, encouragement, health lectures and the food that would help me to be successful with my weight loss.

 

I got involved with doing programs and enjoyed researching the foods that are essential for your body and health. You should never stop eating food to loose weight. Your metabolism does not burn calories without eating food.

 

I admit I had bad eating habits. That changed after becoming a TOPS member. I watched my calorie intake and was more selected with foods that are better for my health and most of all it melted the pounds off. Drinking lots of water, eating less sugar less fats and exercising more was big asset to me  as well as TOPS.

 

Taking Off Pounds Sensibly is the way to go. I have received a bracelet and so many lovely charms as well as awards for my success. The most special award before today was when I received at a luncheon which was held in Burlington and I received the Chapter Royalty Certificate. And I was crowned Queen of chapter 109, Burlington. Thanks to all my TOPS pals and all of my KOPS pals. I am so happy I did it and you can too!!!

Runner-up King James Woodcock, Jr TOPS® #NC 606, Hillsborough 71 pounds to goal I joined TOPS #WV 320, Martinsburg in October 1998 weighing about 195.00 lbs with a goal of 175.00 lbs, however I moved to Athens TN and my weight went up over 270. But If I was not with TOPS a lot more weight would have been added.  I moved to a new apartment and had my medication changed and started attending TOPS #NC 606, Hillsborough, I still attend regularly and have reached my new goal weight and trying to Keep Off Pounds Sensibly. Thank you for TOPS!

Runner-up Queen Patricia Hayman TOPS® #NC 669, Wake Forest 82 pounds to goal   First of all I have to give my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ all the glory. Second goes to my good friend Nancy Fox who encouraged me to join TOPS. I joined TOPS June 16, 2008 weighing in at 237.50 and reached my KOPS goal October 2008 with a loss of 72.50lbs. My second goal was achieved in December with a weight loss total of 87.00 lbs. I was able to do this through exercise, eating right, educating myself and lots of hard work. I could not have been so successful without the support, encouragement and accountability that TOPS has provided me. A big thank you goes to my chapter members for all the support and encouragement they have given me.