Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
A Garfield weight loss group formed in 2012 has been named as the top chapter in the state of Washington for pounds lost.
Garfield TOPS (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly) Chapter No. 1545 formed last April as an offshoot from the Palouse group of the national non-profit program.
“There was a need for a TOPS group in Garfield,” said member Kathy Merry. “A lot of Garfield residents had trouble getting to Palouse, especially in the winter.”
After 14 months meeting weekly for private weigh-ins and information exchanges, the Garfield TOPS group was named in June as the state’s first losers.
“It’s quite an honor, our group did great,” Merry said of the accolade they earned for an average of 16.5 pounds lost per member for the year. After a ceremony in Pasco, Garfield’s chapter was entered into the TOPS’ International Recognition Days contest.
The local group, which meets at Garfield Christian Church, began with 10 members. They now have 15, including five men.
Chapter leader Cher Curtis said most of the members are retired.
“We’re all just a group trying to figure out how to take off the weight we gained after we retired,” Curtis said with a laugh.
A TOPS meeting begins with a pledge, followed by roll call, then reporting of what was gained or lost that week.
“If you gained we just give them one clap,” said Merry.
Each member’s doctor sets the weight loss goal for each person. If someone reaches their goal – and stays three pounds above or seven below – they become a KOP – Keeping Off Pounds Sensibly.
At each meeing, two weight recorders fill out a private weight sheet book.
“Even if you gain, it’s the most important week to come, so you can get right back on track,” Merry said.
Continuing the meeting format, if a member stays within the three to seven pounds mark, they call out “within leeway.” Curtis then reads about a topic in nutrition or exercise followed by information about one type of food. Then the group has a round table discussion followed by a game such as a marble draw with a one-dollar ante pot split 50-50 between the club and the winning member.
Curtis has lost 33 pounds as a member of TOPS, established in 1948, which follows guidelines of the American Dietetic Association.
“Our theme is real people, real food, real weight loss,” Merry said.
The group does not exercise at the weekly meeting. However, two weeks ago, the Garfield group began meeting at the Garfield Cemetery to walk. In summer evenings, the group and others met for water exercise in the Garfield pool.
The walk around the cemetery is 3/10 of a mile.
“And there’s benches so we can sit down and rest,” said Merry, who has lost nearly 100 pounds since November 2011.
“For me personally, our leader and our two weight recorders have helped me tremendously with my weight loss,” she said.
Merry said low cost is a factor in the TOPS program. It’s $28 to join and members receive a monthly magazine with $1 a month for dues at Garfield. The leading members each week for weight loss split the pot.
Merry was one of six who were members of the Palouse group.
Aside from leader Curtis and co-leader Roy Weiker, the two Garfield weight recorders are Sue Kriebel and Helen Jamison. The secretary is Alice Fisher and Forrest Miller is the treasurer.
“We wanted to do something and it’s fun to do it with a group,” Merry said.
She encourages new members to come from wherever they may be able to get to Garfield.
“Anybody is welcome to join us,” she said.
“It’s all of us working together to help each other lose weight,” Curtis said.
Garth Meyer is a former Whitman County Gazette reporter.
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