WEIGHT-LOSS GROUP TO HOLD CONVENTION THIS WEEKEND

Wilma Jones of Cape Girardeau considers herself living proof of the power of TOPS in helping its members lose weight and keep the weight off.

"I stopped going to meetings once and gained back all the weight I'd lost," said Jones, who in 1993 weighed 250 pounds and today weighs 169.

Such success stories will be abundant today and Saturday as members of TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), an international not-for-profit weight-control organization, holds its state convention at the A.C. Brase Arena in Cape Girardeau.

TOPS provides members with information, motivation and fellowship in attaining and maintaining their physician-prescribed weight goals, said Dorothy Boshears, eastern Missouri coordinator for TOPS.

The state convention will honor the best weight losers of the past year from throughout the state and provide motivational sessions.

"We try to keep membership fees within everyone's range and provide support to those trying to lose weight," Boshears said.

Both aspects of the program drew Jones to TOPS in January 1993. A friend told Jones, who at the time weighed 250 pounds, about the organization. Jones believes the weekly weigh-ins, support from other members, information on nutrition and recipe swaps helped her lose 37 pounds by August 1993.

"But then I got busy with other things and decided I didn't have time for the meetings and could do it on my own," Jones said. By the time her friend finally convinced her to come back to TOPS meetings in January 1995, Jones was back up to 250 pounds.

But with a renewed commitment to weight loss and regular attendance at TOPS meetings, Jones reached her goal of weighing 169 pounds by spring 1997. She's been able to maintain that weight since.

"When you have to face that scale every week, it helps keep you on the program," Jones said.

Also keeping her in the program are the friends she has made who are always ready to offer their support.

Boshears said people without weight problems often don't understand the situation of those with weight problems. The support offered by other members who have been in the same situation and gone through the same things is crucial, Boshears said.

Boshears said TOPS strives to keep membership within the financial reach of everyone. Membership fee to the national organization is $20 per year. Each chapter sets its own chapter dues, but those are generally only $3 to $5 per month, Boshears said.

"We don't sell diet food or give a specific diet," Boshears said. "We do suggest using the diabetic exchange plan, which most doctors recommend, and we promote exercise, usually walking. We want people to lose weight sensibly."

Jones said losing the weight has made a big difference in how she feels.

"My knees would hurt so bad I couldn't do anything from carrying around 250 pounds on a 5-foot-3-inch frame," Jones said. "Now my knees never bother me."

She recently carried two large sacks of bird feed into her back yard when it struck her how much weight she had lost.

"I used to carry that much weight around on me all the time," Jones said.

People interested in joining TOPS may call (800) 932-8677 for the chapter nearest them.