I did notice that the pledge had changed. The last line used to be “How foolish I have been,” which I always found rather insulting. The lifers told us about how, in the beginning, they would put pink plastic pigs in the front yard of whoever gained the most weight that week, and they had to leave them on the lawn the entire week. Shame seemed to be their method, which is sad, even if it worked. Many of the regulars finally lost weight due to some medication they were taking. Overall, I didn’t find the group inspiring for weight loss.

On the plus side, the magazine, which is included with your membership, is entirely inspiring. Compared to the Weight Watchers magazine, with all their junk food ads, I love the TOPS one. It’s full of success stories. The magazine alone is worth the price of membership.

Also, TOPS costs about a tenth of what Weight Watchers costs, and WW doesn’t include the magazine. With Weight Watchers, you get a paid cheerleader and staff. TOPS is run by volunteers, like most small clubs, so the quality of the meetings depends on who they can get to volunteer and how much time and effort they can devote to it. Anyone can start a chapter, but they have to have enough members and volunteers for that, not to mention a low-cost meeting place.

For those who like a support group, if TOPS or WW works for you, then it’s worth every bit of money, time, and effort you put into it. Too often, in both groups, after awhile I would hear, “at least I’m not gaining,” which isn’t really the goal, but more of a surrender to your old habits and limited thinking. If that’s the new focus and you aren’t even close to your goal weight, then I’d say it’s just become a social group for you.

Sorry, I went on kind of long! Thanks to both of you for the great podcast, and congratulations on getting to your high school weight, Russ. Now THAT’s inspiring. We want photos!!

The group I belonged to consisted of a group of women that were going to the same meeting every week for many years and I felt (as did Russ)that it was more of a social club for them as many were the same weight when they joined. On the plus side, I think it was helpful for them to keep from gaining any more weight! The thing I liked best was that it was basically a support group where you could share and gain knowledge about this battle of weight! You did not have to buy their special food or go on a special plan.

Thanks for this week’s topic….I think I’ll jump over to the TOPS website and check it out. I will keep you posted on it…comparing then and now.

Thanks again,
Jamie

I have been listening to your podcasts off and on for a few months and LOVE them! Keep up the great work, they are extremely motivating.

BTW, you might want to listen to the very end of your episode #69 podcast … right after the music ends. Was that intentional?