Journaling can help you better understand your emotions and areas of concern

TOPS Chapter 9319 El Dorado Springs met in The Preferred Family Healthcare building, 700 E. Hospital Rd, El Dorado Springs on Thursday, April 25, for their regular weigh-in and meeting.

Warren, our leader, called the meeting to order.

Carol led us in singing “Topsi Doodle”

We said our TOPS & KOPS Pledges

Warren led us in roll call; 20 members weighed in. The chapter had a gain of 13.8 lbs. and a loss of 5.2 pounds which gave us a net gain of 8.6 pounds.

The week’s best loser was Rachael with a loss of 3.2 lbs. Congratulations Rachael!

Sharron had the program today. She took her program from the current TOPS Magazine talking about journaling. On your journey to better health, journaling can help you better understand your emotions and areas of concern. Better understanding your emotions enables you to sort through them rather than coping through food. It can help you identify triggers that can cause overeating. Knowing your triggers can help you develop alternative healthier coping behaviors.

Making lists is a form of journaling and can help you keep track of your goals.

To begin journaling, start with fifteen minutes. You can do anything for fifteen minutes.  Do not worry about grammar, punctuation or spelling.

Thank you, Sharron, for a great program.

Marble game: Marie won the right to draw and got the winning marble. She won $89 and the chapter received $89. Congratulations Marie.

Contest: Today was the last day for the current contest. Teams 1 and 2 tied with 52 points each. The winning team had 61 points. The winning team consisted of Linda Hall, Sue, Pam, and Fred. Sue received a special prize as she was the most consistent in doing the required activities. Congratulations to all who entered the contest.

Linda Hall reported on the TOPS “Summer Challenge” This starts the 1st meeting in May.  Winners will be recognized at Fall Rally/Fun Day which has yet to have a date and location determined.

There are several challenges and activities.  Some of the challenges are as a  chapter such as New and Returning members, A Chapter Walk, Chapter Exercise, No Gain Months, Net Loss Meeting (the total loss less total gains equal Net Loss for Meeting).

Individual challenges are: Member exercise; each member keeps a chart of exercise miles and minutes. There is also a Chapter Exercise for all participating members, record the total miles or total number of minutes exercised.

TOPS IN BLACK must not have any red marks for entire contest period first week of May until last weigh-in ending July 31 turtle is allowed, only 3 missed weigh-ins allowed

Members weight loss: An award for a 5-pound loss and an award for a 10-pound loss

Consecutive loser; must have a loss 4 or more consecutive weeks

New or reinstated KOPS

KOPS IN BLACK: must be a KOPS for entire contest period, only 3 missed weigh-ins check box of KOPS at or below each weigh record

Almost KOPS: within 5 pounds of goal at last weigh-in in July.

With no other business meeting was adjourned with our motto:

IF IT IS TO BE IT IS UP TO ME

TOPS toll-free number 1 800-932-8677 or you can find us on the web at www.tops.org.

Come and join us.

TOPS #MO 9319 meets each Thursday Morning in the “Preferred Family Healthcare building at 700 E. Hospital Rd, El Dorado Springs. Weigh-in starts at 7:45 a.m. the meeting begins at 8:45 a.m. and is over by 10 a.m.