On top of the world: TOPS program helps Fruitland man lose 116 pounds

Talk to John Rhodes of Fruitland about his recent weight loss, and he makes it sound easy.

Rhodes has so far lost 116 pounds from his 6-foot, 1-inch frame since December. He still wants to lose another 15. He changed his eating habits through his participation in TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly).

The first week he lost 22 pounds and has consistently lost weight, except for once or twice when he reached a plateau.

Rhodes said once he made up his mind to lose weight, he applied himself and it worked for him. But it wasn't as easy as he makes it look.

"Anyone who tells you they have a weight problem and no struggle, I don't think they're being honest with you," he said.

When he weighed 364 pounds, he had trouble bending over to tie his shoes and he was getting close to not being able to fasten his belt. He couldn't keep his shirt tail tucked in his pants. He wore pants that were size 50/52 in the waist. He now wears size 38.

On a trip to Six Flags, he had to leave the Batman ride because he was too big for it.

"That was humiliating," he said.

It was time for a lifestyle change.

"I made a commitment to myself that I was going to go on a diet," he said. "I realized that I am not getting any younger and carrying that much weight was going to be difficult on my joints and cause health problems in the future."

Rhodes joined TOPS, which follows the food pyramid and advocates healthy eating -- a balance of fruit, vegetables, protein and carbohydrates. He set a goal of 1,800 calories a day and loaded up on vegetables that can be eaten in almost unlimited quantities. Using the food pyramid as a guide, he incorporates an occasional treat into the calorie count for the day so he doesn't feel deprived.

"When I'm under stress I eat," he said. "I was eating anything I wanted; I'd just go to the refrigerator even if I wasn't really hungry. I had no regular schedule."

He said he exercises some, on the treadmill and a bicycle, but gets most of his exercise from a new, more physically demanding job in heating and air conditioning. Until recently, he had been a pastor.

An important aspect in his plan to lose weight is his involvement with TOPS. He said he came to depend on the support and encouragement that comes with the weekly meetings. There's also the challenge.

"You go every week and face the scales," he said." You know you're going to have to tell everybody why you gained. That's not one of those things you want to do."

Rhodes didn't often have to tell why he gained. He lost his weight fast, he said -- maybe a little too fast. He has noticed some slack in his skin that might not have been there had he lost weight at a slower pace. Along with his determination came one of life's little unfair advantages.

"Men lose weight easier than women," he said. "If a woman has a five- or six-pound loss that's significant. A man can lose four or five pounds easily."

There were also incentives. TOPS rewards its losers not only with support and encouragement, but with cash. The best loser of the month wins $3; best loser of the quarter wins $10. Plus, for every pound a person loses, TOPS pays a dime. TOPS members pay an initial fee to join and a dollar a week.

"My first week they paid me $2," Rhodes said. "I made money that week."

This year, Rhodes was crowned at the state level for having lost more weight than any other man in Missouri who participates in TOPS.

Today, Rhodes feels better at 50 than he ever did at 35. He has more energy. He said he sees his involvement with TOPS as a lifelong commitment. During the time he was losing, his wife Gail also lost about 35 pounds, he said.

When a woman loses weight, she likes to celebrate her success in a typically feminine way: by going shopping. Rhodes had to pause and think a minute how he planned to celebrate when he reaches his goal weight.

"Maybe I'll plan a hunting trip," he said. "My tree stand was rated for 300 pounds and I weighed 360. Climbing the tree stand is so much easier than it was."

lredeffer@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 160