Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Anyone attend TOPS in Verdun 35 Years Ago?

When I joined, Kathy McFarlane was President and Shirley Poutney Vice President.  We received charms for our charm bracelets when we lost 5 or 10 lbs.  When we gained weight we had to sit in the "Pigpen" for the whole meeting!  I still have my charm bracelet and photos of my "Graduation" held at the Windsor Hotel (I think).  My Goal Weight got lost somewhere along the way and was never to be seen again!...Diane

43 comments:

Diane Roberts said...

When I joined, Kathy MacFarlane was the President and Shirley Poutney Vice President. We received charms for our charm bracelets for every 5 or 10 lbs we lost! I still have mine and photos of my "Graduation" held at the Windsor Hotel (I think)...Diane...Unfortunately, I never managed to reach my Weight Goal again!
P.S. Maybe in my next life!

Diane Roberts said...

When I joined, Kathy MacFarlane was the President and Shirley Poutney Vice President. We received charms for our bracelets for every 5 or 10 lbs we lost or we were put in "the pig pen" if we gained weight! I still have my bracelet and photos of my "Graduation" held at the Windsor Hotel (I think). Unfortunately my "Goal Weight" has long gone and has never been seen again!...Diane

john allison said...

My mother won passed away in 1966, attended TOPS for many years.

Marlene Lefebvre said...

Attended Tops in Ville Emard or Cote St Paul. Hard to remember. Our Chapter President was Elizabeth. Enjoyed the years I did attend.

Diane Roberts said...

Winston, your mother would have known the TOPS people I mentioned as they were in the group for many years before me. I was in TOPS from 1968 to 74.

Diane Roberts said...

Marlene, did you attend the Provincial Graduation Ceremonies at the Windsor Hotel every year?
We all used to stay for an overnighter and have a banquet etc. I think most of us gained weight having a great time eating and drinking Daiquiris...at least I did! We had a chapter President for a couple of years also called Elizabeth who lost over 100 lbs!...Diane

john allison said...

When we had the wake for my mother there were a TON of people that showed up from tops one night......Nice play on words, eh?????

Diane Roberts said...

Okay Mr WordSmith...I get the TON no pun intended...Diane

Sandy Walsh said...

Was TOPS an acronym for something?

Diane Roberts said...

Take Off Pounds Sensibly! Don't know if the organization is still going, but it used to be very BIG right across Canada...Diane

john allison said...

There were probably more than 50 of the TOPS people that attended her wake one night. Another night, there were another 50 or so people from the Legion. Then another night a load of people from The Salvation Army. Amazing!!!

Diane Roberts said...

Winston, your Mom must have been one very popular lady! Wonderful to see such a send off for someone. I had a girlfriend on 4th Ave who was in the Salvation Army. Her first name was Dorothy, but her last name escapes me at the moment. Maybe it'll come back someday.

john allison said...

I have a theory about weight lose and weight gain. There has to be so many people or animals that add up to a certain amount of weight to keep the earth spinning on its axis. When someone loses weight, someone else has to gain weight. When someone gains weight, someone else has to lose weight. What bothers me, is when someone anywhere in the world loses weight, that I am the one that is responsible for having to gain that weight. But when someone gains weight, I am not the chosen one to lose any weight!!!! Bummer!!!!

Dolly ? said...

Winston, I can relate. There are branches of TOPS all over in Alberta. I was a member here in Edmonton for a year and a bit but realized that the branch was not serious. I even conducted some meetings about nutrition and exercise, etc. but everyone just came in, weighed in and then hit Boston Pizza after. So I quit and found out last year that that branch disbanded.

Diane Roberts said...

Gee Winston, I like the way your mind works...nothing wrong with your brain cells!...Diane

Marlene Lefebvre said...

Well let me tell you about my experience with Tops. When I first joined the organization, I was very young and attended with my Mother-In-Law. The group disbanded. My Mother-In-Law made lifetime friends. A few years back a very good friend of mine read an article concerning TOPS. I had had a very good experience already being a member. To encourage him I joined as he is overweight and for health reason I thought why not. At the time, I could afford to loose a few unwanted pounds. There were few members in the group. (I had heard a onetime they were down to two). The president and treasure had held the positions for years. Anyway we stuck it our for a year. Then the following year a new committee took over. Changes were made to encourage new members to join and the old ones to stay. Unfortunately, for us our new President had to resign as he had work commitments. That is when the newly elected President blew everyone away. I was voted in Secretary and responsible for fun raisers, games and rewards. Our account did well. We had money to spend on the group. We voted against charms and bought only what was expected to give. Games were big as our group was competitive. I bought for perfect monthly attendance, game wins ect. We had money to pay for lunch at PRD. We tried our best to abide by the T rules but what can I say. We had two snitches that would report our every move to the Regional Director. For the most part we were able to work around the rules. Most worked and did not have time to make dinner as the meeting started a 7:00 PM. Therefore, it became a weekly Tuesday night ritual. (Unfortunately, the restaurant did not sell wine, as we would of been eating a drinking). We celebrated every holiday on the calendar. I must admit we did well as a group. We had many no gain meetings. We must of done something right. I find the most important factor in a weight loss program is to make it fun and encourage each other. Meeting people in the same boat as you help to encourage you and them to TAKE OF POUNDS SENSIBLY. I myself have never attended the Provincial ceremonies but my Mother-In-Law had a blast.

john allison said...

Good one. Always good to hear some new stuff!!!

Diane Roberts said...

My experience was a BIG good one...60 lbs lose in 6 months, just in time to graduate in style!
Our President the first couple of years I attended TOPS was like an army sargeant and that was just what I needed! Apparently we all did, because our Verdun Club won First Place in the Provincial Weight Loss Awards two years in a row. The club helped me keep it off until I quit to move to Australia. Alas, the rest is history!...Diane

Marlene Lefebvre said...

You did good Diane, never mind good great. My tops experience was a very good one also. We had a President that took control and made it very interesting. Members had to do their fair share. It took a while but she had everyone involved. It worked for me. I made my goal weight. The support is great.

john allison said...

Good for you. I don't know if my mother ever lost weight, but it was probably more a social thing for her...Just a guess....I think she was a social butterfly...

pauline garneau said...

Hi ya gals from Tops It sounds like it was a great place to drop those extra pounds.Was it a place like Weight Watchers or did you have to buy their food? Or was it a social club for Winnie's mother? I just bought a load of cookies because the cookie diet is the big fad and a radio personality just lost a ton of weight on it, Kim Fraiser on CJAD.Three bags of cookies ($200.00)are sitting in my cupboard waiting for me to start but I create a new excuse every day.Did you come away with any tricks that you would like to share or is it like every diet you just have to stop eating.
Pauline

john allison said...

The trick is the three foot rule. I have still not grasped it yet, and have been trying to grasp it almost all my life. The 3 foot rule, is to keep most of the food about 3 feet away from your mouth!!!! I will let you know when I have finally mastered that!!!!

Dolly ? said...

Good for all of you who had a great experience with TOPS. As I said mine in Edmonton was not a good one and they disbanded. It was indeed a social club. But everything is an experience. It was cheap and everyone followed whatever diet they wanted and there were all these rewards and ceremonies which we cute.

I did join Overweighters Anonymous once in Verdun. I shouldn't say joned but went to one meeting to accompany a friend. That one terrified me when we had to join hands and pray to the Lord before the meeting. But it was a curious experience.

My doctor recommended Weightwatchers to me as I have some health isssues and they are the best. It may cost more but your health is worth it. They teach sound eating habits, exercise and a healthy lifestyle. I never feel deprived. There's no magic formula that will whip us into shape and diets just don't work.

All those cookies Pony may make you lose the weight but in the end you will go back to eating the same old way, putting back the pounds and hating cookies. And maybe even ruining your metabolism. But good luck anyhow and give us a progress report.

pauline garneau said...

Hi Guy and Gals I joined a gym with my neighbor and started doing water exercises for two hours a night three times a week .She goes five times a week so three times a week won’t kill me and we are both the same age. When I get home at 8:30 9:00 I am starved so I eat like starved cat. The next day I wake up feeling like I’ve been run over by a truck. So I take Tylenol so I can walk, and my stomach feels like a garbarator from eating all night. At 6:00 the next day my neighbor calls me up and asks me if I am ready and I say sure will pick you up in ten minutes so I can go through that again. By the third night which is Thursday I am so exhausted I feel like I am going to die. But the funny part is when you get in the water you feel like a million bucks. Friday morning the Tylenol has no effect so I am crippled all day Friday. Saturday I have a bit of energy .Sunday the Tylenol starts to work or it is because my muscles area rested. Monday I go bowling and Tuesday I start all over again and you know what, I haven’t lost a pound since I started that regime in July. That’s why I thought I’d try the cookies.Now I don't know die from the cookies or die from the exercise.Pauline

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Dolly ? said...

Hi Pauline,
Well it doesn't sound like you're having much fun and exercise should be fun. Goodness! You've been doing that since July 2008? If you're not losing weight and watching what you eat, it's because you're firming up with muscle which weighs more than fat but you probably are looking trim. Are your clothes loser or a smaller size? Swimming is good but perhaps you should be doing it every second day. Your body needs to rest. It's great that you have a friend to go to the gym. That is the trick to keep exercising. I'm told it takes 6 weeks of steady exercise before you see results. Now if you don't, you should track what you're eating. That's one of the things they teach at WW. You may think you're eating is okay but y ou'd be surprised.

Me, I put on some rock and roll and get my mojo a working for 30 minutes. 30 minutes is all you need to do every day, even if it's only walking. I love to dance to rock and roll and R & B music---makes me sweat so I get my aerobic workout in that way. I also alternate with a few minutes on my incumbent bike and treadmill and to bring even more variety, I'm trying to relearn to use my hula hoop plus I have small weights. Gotta make it fun. It's always a struggle especially for women and when we reach our fiifties and sixties, like me, it's more of a struggle. It's no longer a matter of looking good but of being healthy. Hope you don't mind my sharing my experience with you and good luck with the weight loss.

pauline garneau said...

Hi seriouswriter
I thank you very much for your excellent advise .You are so right, I have gone down a size and my clothes are loose but I haven't lost a pound. I'm going to cut out one hour because two hours are exhausting and I have absolutely no energy to do more exercise, plus your are right about what and when to eat. I'll try to master winnie diet and always keep food 3 feet away from my mouth.Thanks again Pauline

Diane Roberts said...

Boy oh Boy can I relate to your gym experience Pauline. One good day of exercise at our age and the next day you can't move a muscle! I've just finished baking a batch of double chocolate chip cookies...do they count on the cookie diet!...Diane

Diane Roberts said...

Boy oh Boy can I relate to your gym experience Pauline. One good day of exercise at our age and the next day you can't move a muscle! I've just finished baking a batch of double chocolate chip cookies...do they count on the cookie diet!...Diane

pauline garneau said...

Diane they count only if you pay $10.00 for six cookies.You can eat six cookies in a day and a reasonable meal at supper. The other alternative is to start smoking again and the price of cigarettes are most likely the same price as the cookies .When I stopped smoking about 10 years ago I gained 20 pounds and no matter how hard I tried to lose that weight it just didn't come off.I am going to take seriouswriters advice and make changes. I really like doing the water exercise because you work up a sweat but you don't feel all sweaty but 2 consecutive hours are just to much for me . No use trying to keep up to my neighbor seriouswriter is right it should be fun and now it is getting to painful". I'll keep you posted if I start to lose weight. Pauline

Dolly ? said...

Keep us posted Pauline and you just reminded me to go downstairs and start dancing to the Paul Butterfield Blues Band. REmember them? All the fast numbers add up to an hour's worth of an aerobic workout. So off I go!

john allison said...

I was told that swimming would be great for me. I started out going 1 hour each morning 3 days a week. 2 weeks later I increased that to 1 1/2 hours each morning 5 days a week. Then eventaul lywithin a month or so I was going early morning, and then at about 2:30pm each week. After about 4 months. I had not lost a pound, but did get what they call a swimmers ear, which hurt like hell.... I guess that is a perforated ear drum So much for working my buns off, and still having my buns still there....

Dolly ? said...

Hey Winston. But did you actually swim back and forth the length of the pool or just stand there and dunk your head? :-)

john allison said...

I swam the entire time!!!!!!!!!

pauline garneau said...

Hi seriouswriter This weekend I'm going to dance around with the vacuum and the mop and throw some clothes in the washer and dryer with music blasting from the 50's. That will be my aerobic workout until I go back to the pool on Tuesday. Monday I go bowling so I think I’m active enough. Will keep you posted
Pony

pauline garneau said...

Winston It happened to me so I do believe you but seriouswriter did cast a slight doubt in my mind that maybe you just stood there because she knows you better than I know you. You didn't just do the dog paddle?
Pony

john allison said...

No I did not just do the dog paddle. Maybe I should have.... Then That would explain not losing weight!!!!!

pauline garneau said...

OK OK I believe ,I believe.But your BUNS must be hard as rocks.
No buns of steel.

Dolly ? said...

Pauline, I'm doing the same thing today, Saturday, but make sure you vacuum with passion so you really work up a sweat! lol! Ah Winston knows we love to tease him. He's a good man and has a great sense of humour. I bet you get a good aerobic workout, Winston, with the swimming, so you have a strong (and generous) heart.

john allison said...

I like it!!!!

Unknown said...

My Mom, Muriel Raspin, was a member of TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) for many years in the 60's & 70's. She went to the annual conventions at the Windsor hotel every year. She eventually got down to her goal weight & became a member of KOPS (Keep Off Pounds Sensibly). She has since passed away & I miss her terribly. Thanks for the memories!

Unknown said...

My Mom, Muriel Raspin, was a member of TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) for many years in the 60's & 70's. She went to the annual conventions at the Windsor hotel every year. She eventually got down to her goal weight & became a member of KOPS (Keep Off Pounds Sensibly). She has since passed away & I miss her terribly. Thanks for the memories!

Unknown said...

My Mom, Muriel Raspin, was a member of TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) for many years in the 60's & 70's. She went to the annual conventions at the Windsor hotel every year. She eventually got down to her goal weight & became a member of KOPS (Keep Off Pounds Sensibly). She has since passed away & I miss her terribly. Thanks for the memories!

Unknown said...

My Mom, Muriel Raspin, was a member of TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) for many years in the 60's & 70's. She went to the annual conventions at the Windsor hotel every year. She eventually got down to her goal weight & became a member of KOPS (Keep Off Pounds Sensibly). She has since passed away & I miss her terribly. Thanks for the memories!