TOPS Chapter 319 El Dorado Springs (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) met in the Church of Christ Meeting Room on Thursday, April 13, 2017.

Sheryl Ann filled in as leader in the absence of Robbie who had a doctor’s appointment.

Kay led us in singing “Onward TOPS and KOPS”.

We said our TOPS and KOPS pledges.

Twenty Eight weighed in today.  The chapter had a net loss of 23 lbs.

Kay and Angie tied for best loser for the week.  Each lost 3.4 lbs.

Dorothy won the right to draw for the marble but drew a green one.

Warren gave the contest report.  Several have not turned in their weights but what he does have is Juanita in first place with Carol in second and Jan in third.

Sharon reported there was a mistake on the treasure’s report and our ending balance is $5,108.15.

Carol reported on the “Cut and Burn” challenge for us to each lose 10 lbs in 2017.  Each member who loses 10 pounds in 2017 will be put into a drawing to win a $50 gift card. To help us do that there are stickers that can be purchased from TOPS to use as a visual of our progress.  Carol fixed a board to show as an example with the list of names of TOPS members who have lost in 2017.  Several of our members have already lost and are on their way to losing 10 lbs.  She offered to make up a board for us to track our progress.  The KOPS are included in this as well.  If a KOPS stays in leeway for the entire year their name will be put in the drawing as well.

Jean made motion we purchase 600 stickers and Susan 2nd motion.  Motion passed.

Sheryl Ann had the program today.  As always she give us gifts when she does the program.  Today she passed out pens and notebooks along with a home inventory sheet.  She stressed the importance of taking inventory of your homes contents.

Second part of her program was taken from “Arthritis Today”

She gave us some suggestions to help with the pain caused by arthritis.

Add 1 tablespoon coco powder to your smoothie, this non fat, non sweet adds flavor and the coco powder and is helpful for arthritis pain.

Apricots can relieve joint pain.

Exercise is important to help relieve the joint pain.  If you strengthen the muscles around the joints it will help with the pain.

Enjoy a handful of walnuts, they will help lower your blood pressure and prevent muscle shrinkage.

Beans, especially pinto and red beans help keep muscles strong.

Cherries and tart cherry juice have been proven to relieve pain.

Add pumpkin seeds to your diet they are high in zinc.

Laughter is the best medicine.

Make sure your supplements are safe.  Look for ones “USP of NSF” they have undergone testing.

To prevent falls, do toe raises for better balance.

Watch how you lift heavy objects.  Get as close to what you are lifting as you can.

Do stretches of your back and arms.

(Marilyn has been asked to start leading us in exercise again even if we say we do not want to.)

Make sure you get enough sleep.  Taking a warm bath before bed helps you get to sleep.

We thank Sheryl for a great program.

Next week we will meet in the Sanctuary.

We closed with our motto.  “If It Is To Be IT IS Up To Me.”

We welcome anyone who is interested in learning about a healthy lifestyle.  We welcome women and men of all ages.  We encourage healthy eating and offer support through our chapter and the National Chapter of TOPS.  We have a lot of fun in our weight loss journey and make lifelong friendships.  First visit is free with no obligation.  Membership and dues are very inexpensive.

For more information, call Robbie Chase at 417-876-0233, Juda at 876-4888, TOPS toll free number 1 800-932-8677 or you can find us on the web at www.tops.org.

Come and join us.