A Rochester woman who lost 147 pounds thanks the local nonprofit weight-loss support organization TOPS Club Inc for her continued success.
Wilma Graves had been struggling with consistent eating habits for a long time before getting serious about her weight-loss.
When Graves reached her goal in 2019, she knew if she didn't continue to stay on track, her hard work would be for nothing. Graves joined the support group in February 2022, and says it's that support that helps her maintain the healthy weight she is at today.
Graves also hopes telling her story will also help inspire others to live a healthier, happier life.
Currently, Indiana has an adult obesity rate of 36.3%. According to GlobalData’s report, 70% of Hoosiers are classified as overweight or obese. The revelation has been cited as a “significant public health challenge” in the Hoosier state, with only one-third of the population avoiding the added weight that negatively impacts one’s health and lifestyle.
TOPS provides an individual approach to weight loss for overall wellness. Their consistent group support, health education, and recognition are all key components to successful and consistent weight management. During 2022, TOPS members in Indiana lost a cumulative 6,827 pounds.
Meeting are every Tuesday from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Fulton County Community Center, 625 Pontiac St, in Rochester. Graves says she believes it is the meetings that help her to be consistent in her day-to-day life.
In 2022, TOPS Club unveiled its top “royalty” from 2022 for 2023, praising women and men recording their largest weight loss at the end of each year in the TOPS program, regardless of the time taken it had taken to reach their goal.
Last year, Graves was crowned 2022 Indiana Queen and honored at an Indiana state recognition event in French Lick.
It turned out that Graves had inspired more people than she ever imagined.
Graves said it is commitment to change that has kept her going, as well as the support from here peers at meetings. Changing habits such as cutting out fried food and potatoes, eating very little bread, and focusing on protein, fruits and vegatables has been what has brought Graves to where she is today.
Weekly meetings are the heart of TOPS support. Meetings can be held in-person or online. In-person meetings start with an optional weigh-in, and members sharing challenges, successes, or goals. A brief program is followed, covering a variety of health and wellness topics, and are sometimes concluded
with awards and recognition for the week.
Visitors can attend their first TOPS in-person meeting free, with no commitment.
For online membership, meetings are conducted via Zoom and are offered at least five times during the week, helping with accountability. Membership starts at $49 per year, plus nominal monthly chapter fees. To join TOPS, visit www.tops.org, or call 800-932-8677 to learn more about TOPS.
