Arlington Heights resident named 2023 TOPS Illinois King
TOPS Club Inc. (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), the nonprofit weight-loss support organization, has begun unveiling its top “royalty” for 2023.
TOPS royalty are women and men who have officially recorded the largest weight loss from their starting weight at the end of the year, regardless of the time taken to reach their goal.
Dorothy Nyhoff of Morris, who lost 73 pounds, and John Alberici of Arlington Heights, who lost 74 pounds, are the 2023 Illinois Queen and King. They were honored in April at Illinois recognition events throughout the state.
TOPS provides an individual approach to weight loss and overall wellness. Consistent group support, health education, and recognition are all key components to successful weight management. Illinois has an adult obesity rate of 33.4%, and in 2023, TOPS members in Illinois lost a cumulative 11,407 pounds.
“All of us in TOPS are immensely proud of our members’ weight-loss achievements,” said TOPS President Rick Danforth, who maintained a 100-pound weight loss for 15 years. “Through their TOPS membership, these individuals can honor their life-altering successes, other members, and those who have preceded them. By maintaining their allegiance to lifestyle modifications, a hallmark of TOPS’ winning formula, TOPS members apply the tools they’re provided and the backing of their peers to attain their weight loss goals.”
Weekly meetings are the heart of TOPS support, whether they are held in person or online. In-person meetings start with an optional weigh-in, with members then sharing challenges, successes, or goals, followed by a brief program covering a variety of health and wellness topics, and may conclude with awards and recognition for the week.
John Alberici stated, “A lifelong friend invited me to go to a TOPS meeting. It was an experience I will never forget. I was amazed looking at the members who lost so much weight. I knew this was for me. I became a member, following the plan and keeping a calorie sheet. My family was very supportive and still are. I was asked to be our chapter leader, and this is helping me to stay focused on maintaining my weight and KOPS status. I love helping other members lose or maintain their weight!”
Visitors can attend their first TOPS in-person meeting free of charge and are encouraged to try more than one chapter since they’re all a little different.
For online membership, meetings are conducted via Zoom and are offered at least five times during the week. The meeting starts with members disclosing challenges, successes, or goals. Next, the online facilitator presents a prepared program and sometimes includes guest speakers who share their expert views on fitness, nutrition, and more. Meetings conclude with action steps related to the program presented.
Membership is affordable, starting at $49 per year in the U.S. and $59 annually in Canada, plus nominal chapter fees. Join TOPS, visit www.tops.org, or call (800) 932-8677 to learn more about TOPS and to find a local chapter.
About TOPS
TOPS Club Inc. (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) is the original weight-loss support and wellness education organization. Founded in 1948, TOPS is the only nonprofit, noncommercial weight-loss organization of its kind. TOPS promotes successful weight management with a “Real People. Real Weight Loss.” philosophy that combines support from others at weekly chapter meetings, healthy eating, regular exercise, and wellness information. Today there are about 65,000 members, including men, women, and international members who join chapter meetings online, with thousands of chapters in all 50 states and Canada. TOPS also has an online program for people who might prefer that model or who live too far to attend in-person chapter meetings. Online resources include news and information from the health and inspirational community, meal planning ideas, workouts, chapter resources, and more.