TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly)

TOPS CHAPTER 319 El Dorado Springs (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) met in the Church Of Christ Meeting room on Thursday, July 14.

Our leader, Robbie, opened the meeting. Kay led us in singing “Take Me Out Of The Bakery”.

Measurements were taken today. If you did not get measured this week please see Kay or Lynda next week.

Robbie led us in roll call. Twenty-six weighed in today and the chapter had 16 lb. gain and a 16 lb. loss. Virginia was the week’s best loser with a loss of 3.6 lbs.

We sang “Happy Birthday” to L J.

Carol presented the program today. She took the first part of her program from TOPS “Real Life” Guide. Weight loss is like a chair, you need all four legs of a chair for it to sit and you need four components for weight loss. 1. Motivation 2. Exercise, 3. Nutrition and 4. Spiritual.

The second part of her program was about how to choose healthy drinks. We are confronted by soft drinks and chips as we walk into a grocery store or convenience store this time of the year, what can we chose that will be healthy?

She had examples of choices we can make. Diet Coke, Coke Zero, Beer and Wine, Juice, Water, tea and vegetable juice. The very healthiest is, of course, water. If you want a flavor in your water and do not want to buy the flavored water as many have other added chemicals you might try a splash of juice in the water.

Wine or beer is still high in calories but the ingredients are healthy and natural.

Beer contains water, grain, hops and yeast. Of course as with anything else moderation is the key. Wine has all natural ingredients and some minerals that are beneficial to our health. Again in moderation.

V-8 juice is a good choice if you buy the low sodium version.

Tea is a good healthy drink if you do not add sweetener to it. If you do add sweetener avoid aspartame and chose a more natural sweetener.

Diet Coke and other diet soft drinks are very harmful to our bodies. Not only is the Coke sweetened with aspartame but the Carmel color is made from chemicals and nothing natural. Even the can the soft drink is in is harmful as it contains BPA.

It is thought fake sweeteners cause the body to crave more sweet.

Sue won the right to draw for a marble but did not get the white one.

Warren said the new contest is going well.

Robbie reminded us those who want to need to sign up for the St Jude’s Run/Walk for a reason. This will begin at 8 a.m. Saturday, July 23. Several of our members usually participate in this event.

An election of officers was held today.

Our slate of officers for 2017: Leader – Robbie Chase, Co-Leader – Linda Hall, Secretary – Jean Lovewell and Treasurer – Sharon Hawn.

Since our officers are the same as last year it was decided we will not have an installation of officers.

Sheryl reported on the Best Choice Labels. She checked with the company and it is only Best Choice ones that are accepted.

Linda passed out the new by-laws.

Reminder: we will meet in the sanctuary next week.

We welcome anyone who is interested in losing weight. That includes men, women, teenagers, and even children above the age of seven. 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.